Category Archives: Education

Mastering Your Digital Outreach with Jeremy Houser (Ep. 59)



Advisors, when was the last time you moved one of your processes online for greater client outreach and accessibility?

In this episode, Brad Swineheart is joined by Jeremy Houser, VP, Senior Advisor Development Consultant at InsurMark and creator of the Advisor Mentorship Program (AMP), to talk about all things marketing. 

Brad and Jeremy dive into the world of marketing for financial advisors while exploring the value of webinars, meetings, and online messaging to further grow and develop your business.

Brad and Jeremy discuss: 

  • The benefits of moving towards a more virtual business model
  • Some reasons why you might want to consider podcasting if you have clients who are not able to meet you in person
  • The value of elevating your digital outreach (and digital footprint) game and ways it can help you (effectively) connect with clients in the virtual realm 
  • Ways advisors (like you!) can effectively leverage and manage your time by outsourcing your marketing efforts
  • How to determine your marketing budget
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Jeremy Houser:

Connect with Brad Swineheart:

About Our Guest:

As a trusted consultant and advisor to the financial professionals he serves, Jeremy Houser is committed to helping you professionalize all aspects of your practice and unlock your full potential. 

In early 2018, Jeremy identified a clear gap in service and support for advisors across the nation and built the Advisor Mentorship Program (AMP) to address and close it. One of his passions within AMP is to help advisors refine their own processes and attract clients instead of chasing them. 

Today, this pro­gram continues to help a select group of advisors stay focused on achieving consistent growth while adding value to their practice and de­veloping Business Alpha through the resources available through InsurMark.


Advisors, Here’s Why Marketing Is An Ascendant Journey with Susan Theder (Ep. 58)



Advisors, think about your marketing:

Are you ready to learn the tips and tricks you need to enhance your online and offline footprint for the years to come?

In this episode, Brad Swineheart is joined by Susan Theder, the Chief Marketing and Experience Officer at FMG Suite. Susan details how she assists advisors with their marketing, helping them take their practice to the next level.

Discover how Susan takes the passion she sees in others to use it as a driving force to build her client’s brand while incorporating the personal touch to make their practice unique. 

Brad and Susan discuss: 

  • Some ways you can keep up with your clients regularly while being mindful of their current life events 
  • How to elevate your LinkedIn profile
  • The value of constantly updating your website and social profiles 
  • Strategies to diversify the content you produce according to your client’s age demographic 
  • Why giving away resources is more important than giving away information 
  • The importance of developing a content strategy 
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Susan Theder:

Connect with Brad Swineheart:

About Our Guest:

Susan Theder is the Chief Marketing and Experience Officer at FMG Suite and a member of the company’s Senior Leadership Team. Susan emphasizes the importance of customer-focused strategies that leverage data and technology to deliver personalized and customized experiences that WOW.

She has a passion for helping financial professionals grow and market their businesses and is an active supporter of women and diversity initiatives. She was named CMO of the year by WealthManagement.com in 2019 and a Women to Watch by Investment News in 2019. Susan currently serves on the Board of Directors for SMARSH and ComplySci, both leading SaaS/RegTech companies serving the financial services industry.

Before joining FMG Suite, Susan served as Chief Marketing Officer at both Advisor Group and Cetera Financial Group, where she was responsible for all aspects of marketing and advisor marketing. Before that, she was a Managing Director at Pershing/BNY Mellon and held senior positions in marketing, product management, and practice management at Fidelity Investments.


New Year, New Tax Laws with Ed Slott, CPA (Ep. 57)



Every time a new tax law gets introduced, it is increasingly important to understand its impact on our portfolio and, ultimately, on our taxes. 

In this episode, Ed Slott joins Brad Swineheart to navigate the ins and outs of the SECURE Act 2.0 and its role within the new tax laws rolling out this year. 

When navigating these changes, it’s common for consumers to skip over the fine print and not fully understand how their taxes will be affected. So, advisors, get ready to explore the world of taxes going into 2023 and how you can help your clients save on them.

Ed and Brad discuss: 

  • Ways the SECURE Act 2.0 is changing the regulations around RMDs
  • Why high inflation can help us save on taxes
  • What you should know about rollovers from 529 plans to Roth IRAs
  • The importance of advisors supporting and assisting clients with their planning 
  • The value of building client-advisor relationships 
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Ed Slott:

Connect with Brad Swineheart:

About Our Guest:

Ed Slott is a nationally recognized IRA distribution expert, professional speaker, television personality, and best-selling author. He is known for his unparalleled ability to turn advanced tax strategies into understandable, actionable, and entertaining advice. He has been named “The Best Source for IRA Advice” by The Wall Street Journal, and USA Today wrote, “It would be tough to find anyone who knows more about IRAs than CPA Slott.”


Turning Passion Into A Lifelong Portfolio with FEL3000ft (Ep. 56)



Have you ever thought about making your greatest passion your career? 

FEL3000ft has taken a loving passion of his and has turned it into a successful career that allows him to express himself and give back to his community in several ways. 

After trying to jazz up the decor around his house, Brad Swineheart found his way to FEL3000ft, an original graffiti artist based out of Detroit who has been known for turning some magnificent buildings into pieces of art over the years. 

This week, FEL3000ft unveils everything you need to know about his career path as a graffiti artist. He highlights how invigorating it is to love what you do every day, just like many of the advisors listening today. 

Fel discusses: 

  • Some of the projects he has worked on 
  • Hip-hop as an inspiration for the theme of his projects 
  • Outreach programs as a way of giving back to his community 
  • His approach to inspiring youth 
  • What you should know about ‘staying hungry’
  • And more!

Connect with FEL3000ft:

Connect with Brad Swineheart:

About Our Guest:

Fel3000ft started doing graffiti/street art in 1982,  as immersed himself in hip-hop culture. After many years of painting in Detroit, he realized the importance of his voice artistically and felt he could do something positive with that voice. He writes his thoughts and passion for the people and the communities next to the art pieces Fel300ft paints on the walls as a positive word. His need to fight for the things that he believes in, the community he lives in, and his friends, neighbors, and families are put at the forefront of all of his work.


Advisors, Get Ready To Grow & Break The Traditional Business Model with Daniel Biagini (Ep. 55)



From holistic and personalized planning to addressing and solving client concerns, these are some of the key elements that successful advisors are implementing within their practices, leading to business and client growth.

In this episode, Brad Swineheart is joined by Daniel Biagini, the head of sales at American Equity. Daniel is all about leveraging his background of guiding strategy, product development, and client experience to promote growth among his clients. So, listen in as Brad and Dan speak about how advisors today are breaking the traditional business models and how these new strategies are working to bring in new prospects.

Brad and Dan discuss: 

  • How to identify value among advisors in the industry
  • New prospecting methods that advisors are taking on to bring in and maintain clients 
  • The importance of building a company culture that clients can relate to
  • Ways your marketing can change the way clients perceive and interact with your business 
  • Must-know tips and tricks advisors can use to take their business to the next level 
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Daniel Biagini:

Connect with Brad Swineheart:

About Daniel Biagini:

Dynamic asset management and insurance industry leader with 10+ years of success. Proven track record of guiding strategy, product development, and client experience that drives growth, competitive advantage, and operational excellence.


The Road to 8%: How to Succeed At Building A Brand with Cody Askins (Ep. 54)



How do the top 8% build successful brands?

If you’re an entrepreneur and want your brand to evolve but struggle with standing out or securing long-term clients, then this episode is for you.

This week, Cody Askins, founder of The 8% Nation, joins Brad Swineheart to share what it takes for advisors and agents to succeed at scaling their company brand. Cody details his approach to referrals, hiring, coaching, and training to help insurance professionals succeed. 

Brad and Cody discuss: 

  • The value of tailoring your brand to a specific market
  • The truth about brand representation 
  • Ways building a brand tied to SEOs benefits your business marketing 
  • Cody’s ideal client base and the core training he and his team can provide to them
  • The importance of storytelling 
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Cody Askins:

Connect with Brad Swineheart:

About Our Guest:

With over a decade of insurance sales knowledge, Cody Askins knows what it takes for agents to succeed in the insurance industry.

Cody started in the insurance industry when he was just 20 years old while attending school full-time and playing college basketball. He made a goal to make 6-figures during his first year, and in only eight months, Cody made over $117,000.

During his first year, Cody developed a system to set more appointments and get the most out of his leads. Now, it’s Cody’s mission to help agents build skills and learn the necessary mindset to achieve any goal that they’ve set for themselves.

Cody offers a variety of private and group coaching courses. As the creator of Telesales Mastery Members, the CA Sales System, and Success Society, he also creates custom Lead Generation Consulting.


Business Leaders, Get Ready To Sharpen Your Presentation Skills with Pat Quinn (Ep. 53)



At a certain point in your career, you will have the opportunity to speak in front of a large audience. 

Whether it be for a seminar, a business meeting, or simply a sales pitch to a new investor, your public speaking skills will have to shine through and wow someone, which can be tough when put under pressure. 

But it doesn’t need to be like that anymore.

This week, Brad Swineheart is joined by Pat Quinn, a speaking coach who helps business leaders sharpen their presentation skills. As a former professional magician and high school teacher who has spoken to audiences worldwide, Pat knows how to read an audience unlike anyone else. And that’s why he’s here to share the tips and techniques you need to strengthen your public speaking. 

Pat discusses: 

  • The correct measure of success when public speaking
  • Strategies to get on stage and prepare to speak in front of a large audience 
  • How his experience as a teacher and magician has aided in his confidence to speak to an audience
  • The value of storytelling when it comes to public speaking 
  • How offering the right amount of information can separate a good from a great speaker 
  • The difference between helping and overwhelming the crowd you’re speaking to 
  • And more!

Connect with Pat Quinn:

Connect with White Glove:

About Our Guest:

A former professional magician who learned the art of commanding a stage early in his career. With an advanced degree in brain research, Pat Quinn understands how adults learn new information. As a consultant and speaker, he has keynoted the biggest conferences and spoken to audiences from around the world.


How To Deal With Unsuccessful Seminars with Roy Snarr, CFF®, CLTC®, NSSA®, LACP™ (Ep. 52)



“In the very first workshop I did, I made zero money. There were just 20 people, and I received only one appointment.” — Roy Snarr, CEO of Snarr Financial & Insurance Services, Inc.

Despite spending thousands of dollars and countless hours, your seminar might not go as planned. So, how do you deal with such unsuccessful seminars?

In this episode, Brad Swineheart joins Roy Snarr, CFF®, CLTC®, NSSA®, LACP™, author, speaker, founder of Snarr Academy, and member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT). Together, they talk about how failed seminars can contribute to long-term success for advisors.

Roy discusses: 

  • How to gather an audience for less popular (and sometimes unattractive) seminar topics
  • The power of consistency in event marketing
  • Why November and December are great months to host seminars
  • How to skyrocket your post-seminar engagement through personalized videos
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Roy Snarr:

Connect with White Glove:

About Our Guest:

With over a decade of experience, Roy Snarr has helped thousands of people from coast to coast become educated on the most relevant retirement planning strategies. Roy has also made regular ongoing national/local television appearances on all major networks and is a nationally syndicated published author and contributor. 

His dedication and passion have enabled him to build a nationally recognized business and be a part of the most pristine association of financial professionals, the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT). 

In addition, Roy serves as a local board member for the Society of Financial Services Professionals (FSP). Roy’s current designations include CFF-Certified Financial Fiduciary® LACP-Life and Annuity Certified Professional and the NSSA (National Social Security Advisor).

Roy is also the founder of Snarr Academy, a revolutionary training and credibility platform designed to help agents, advisors, and agencies succeed in the Asset Protection and Long Term Care Space.


Being Your Own Boss with Curtis Cottle (Ep. 51)



Have you ever felt like a general 9-5 office job may not be for you? Wondering what it would be like to work for yourself and manage your own business defined by your rules and processes?

Then self-employment might be the direction for you. 

Although managing your own business may seem like a never-ending process of delegating, coaching, and managing, there are a number of benefits to this type of employment, including being your own boss. 

In this episode, local investment advisor representative and licensed insurance professional Curtis Cottle joins Brad Swineheart to explain how he kick-started his career in the retirement and financial services industry. Curtis also sheds light on the processes he has integrated into his business model as a first-time entrepreneur. 

Curtis discusses: 

  • How to know if self-employment is right for you
  • Ways he has been implementing education, marketing, workshops, and seminars within his business 
  • How the pandemic impacted the way he connected with clients and prospects 
  • What people don’t tell you about starting a business from the ground up
  • The power of coaching and how it can benefit your team and business
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Curtis Cottle:

Connect with White Glove:

About Our Guest:

Local investment advisor representative, and licensed insurance professional, Curtis Cottle, is highly achieved in business and finance. Many pre-retirees and retirees have been served and educated on how to potentially preserve their assets, increase their income and reduce their income taxes.

In 2011 Curtis qualified for the Top Producers Escape sponsored by Insurance Agency Marketing Services, Inc. Here, he was recognized for being in the top 5% of all producing agents. When he first qualified, he was the youngest ever to have achieved this degree of recognition. Curtis is also a featured local speaker helping retirees and pre-retirees with seminars focused on how to Optimize Your Social Security Benefits.


The Power of Coaching for Financial Advisors with Jamie Hopkins, MBA, CFP®, LLM, CLU®, CHFC®, RICP® (Ep. 50)



Advisor success often leads to new problems:

For example, when running our own business, it is natural to want to step into each business role to stay true to the brand we are creating. Although admirable, it is almost impossible to manage every single process.

By delegating, coaching, and offering your expertise in certain areas to new hires, you can sit back and focus on the aspects that matter, bringing in new prospects and managing the business the way you see fit.

In this episode, Brad Swineheart speaks with the managing partner of wealth solutions at Carson Group, Jamie Hopkins. Jamie explains how growing a business starts with handing off jobs to employees while detailing the value of failing to grow and succeed. 

Jamie discusses: 

  • How to determine if your employees are benefiting your business 
  • The power of delegating, especially in a new business environment
  • Key factors to look for when recruiting new employees
  • The importance of promoting growth within your business
  • And more!

Connect with Jamie Hopkins:

Connect with WhiteGlove:

About Our Guest:

Jamie Hopkins is the Managing Partner of Wealth Solutions at Carson Group, a national wealth management firm that offers coaching and partnership to financial advisors. A nationally recognized writer, researcher, and educator, Jamie is a regular contributor to Forbes, InvestmentNews, and MarketWatch. He has been published in dozens of financial, educational, and legal journals, and he’s the media’s go-to expert on retirement income planning and tax law.