Sara Grillo

Today I have Brian Williams of Northshire Consulting and we're going to be talking about how financial advisors can help improve 401k plan access to the American people who are working at small businesses who currently do not offer them. Let's talk about fixing the 401k coverage gap, people! What if the local baker had […] The post Imagine if the local bakery had a 401k? Let's solve the 401k Coverage Gap and save the American middle class! appeared first on Sara Grillo.

In this podcast I talk with Broc Buckles of BC Brokerage about how to avoid falling for a bad life insurance pitch. For those of you who are new to my blog, my name is Sara. I am a CFA® charterholder and financial advisor marketing consultant. I have a newsletter in which I talk about financial advisor […] The post How to tell a bad life insurance pitch appeared first on Sara Grillo.

In this first episode of “Does my Marketing STINK?”, we'll interview Chase Dapello of Westlake Private Wealth Management and answer the question of whether or not his marketing stinks. If you'd like to be a guest on “Does my marketing STINK” and have you or your company's marketing analyzed for free, send me a note […] The post “Worried I'll exclude qualified clients if I niche down.” [Does my marketing STINK? Ep One] appeared first on Sara Grillo.

In this podcast we interview Jamie Menges of PDS Planning, a multi-advisor flat fee RIA firm with $1.7BB in assets under management. You'll hear the story of why they converted from AUM to flat fee, how it has bolstered the growth trajectory of the practice, how to convert your firm from AUM and achieve similar […] The post This $1.7BB RIA firm converted from AUM to flat fee and never looked back! appeared first on Sara Grillo.

Fire your therapist and do this instead. The post How to overcome any fear appeared first on Sara Grillo.

We do a crypto debate podcast every year. Here's this year's joust which got a leeetle bit rowdy as these financial advisors hash it out. Enjoy! For those of you who are new to my blog/podcast, my name is Sara. I am a CFA® charterholder and I used to be a financial advisor. I have […] The post This year's Wild Crypto Debate appeared first on Sara Grillo.

Wow, this was a powerful interview with Dave Welty, a financial advisor who founded and developed what I would consider a well-managed RIA firm. Avier Advisors, based out of Bellevue, Washington, has nearly $800MM in AUM and almost 20 employees. Here are five things they've done differently at Avier, and why it's helped them kick […] The post 5 reasons this RIA firm is kicking your butt appeared first on Sara Grillo.

The math behind Universal Life Insurance Interest Rates is a twisted web and most consumers are deceived. Know how the math works so you can see the potential risks that may exist with your policy. But before we get into it… Look, there are alot of schmucks out there hawking crap products disguised as financial […] The post Don't be tricked by 8% eternal Universal Life Insurance Interest Rates! appeared first on Sara Grillo.

The regulators don't force insurance companies to provide in-force illustrations to their Universal Life policy holders and it allows them to deceive consumers who aren't prepared to do the math required to know the truth. Insurance companies make Bernie Madoff look like a petty thief. Don't fall for it! But before we get into it… […] The post Get an in-force illustration whenever you buy a Universal Life insurance policy! appeared first on Sara Grillo.

Everybody talks about getting referrals from clients, but nobody really talks about what to do when they go south. What if the client doesn't actually make the referral? What if the referral doesn't call you back? I've got Bill Cates here and he's going to discuss all of this and more as covered in his […] The post Do this to avoid messing up a client referral appeared first on Sara Grillo.

Yes, there is life after AUM fees! In this podcast I interview Sarah Charles, an hourly financial planner who used to work under the AUM fee model. She talks about why she made the jump and what life is like now as an hourly financial planner. For those of you who are new to my […] The post Life after the AUM fee model: converting to hourly appeared first on Sara Grillo.

Stop wasting money on fancy “spaghetti tech”. The fintechs just want you financial advisors' credit cards. Listen to Sara Grillo & Eric Negron on today's Daily Truth Bomb as they break it all down! In this podcast, you'll learn: 1)How to ditch the overcomplicated workflows and embrace simple, effective processes. ?? 2)Why free resources like […] The post The fintechs just want your credit card… appeared first on Sara Grillo.

Beyond kindness: building trust and avoiding pitfalls in financial advising! Join Eric Negron & Sara Grillo in this podcast and discover the essential qualities for success in building clients relationships that last! You'll learn: Why kindness is just the beginning for building lasting client relationships. The 5 C's of success every advisor needs to know. […] The post It takes more than kindness to build lasting client relationships! appeared first on Sara Grillo.

Forget the “sizzle” and be real! Listen to this podcast and discover the power of authentic communication in financial advising! You'll learn: Why shortcuts don't work and how consistency is key to success. How to prioritize client needs and communicate authentically. The surprising benefits of being yourself and building genuine connections with clients. How to […] The post How to stop sounding fake in your marketing – authentic voices win! appeared first on Sara Grillo.

Stop struggling with content creation! Your clients are giving you gold, but are you missing it? In this podcast you'll learn how to turn client conversations into engaging content! How to mine valuable nuggets from your client interactions. Real-life examples of transforming client experiences into compelling content. Why listening to your clients is the key […] The post Easy ways to create content that prospects and clients will love! appeared first on Sara Grillo.

Are you doing business with the wrong type of client? Join Sara Grillo & Eric Negron and discover how to turn your existing client base into a goldmine of referrals! In this show, you'll learn: ?How to identify your ideal client and re-engage your current ones. ?The 3 powerful questions to ask that unlock hidden […] The post Stuck with the wrong clients? You're not alone! appeared first on Sara Grillo.

Yeah, the title basically says it all. He's taking the world by storm as an hourly financial planner, not managing any assets just giving out powerful financial planning guidance that clients love. Today we'll hear from Kevin Estes of Scaled Finance as he talks about how he made it work. But first… For those of […] The post How I rocked the world as an hourly financial planner – with Kevin Estes appeared first on Sara Grillo.

Is AI taking over financial advice? Not so fast! ? Join Sara Grillo & Eric Negron today for the Truth Bomb as they break down how artificial intelligence is likely to impact the future of financial advising. In this show, you'll learn: ?Why AI won't replace human advisors (it's just a supercharged Google search!). ?How […] The post Is AI taking over financial advice? Not so fast! appeared first on Sara Grillo.

Join Sara Grillo & Eric Negron and learn how to ditch the “advisor speak”, get past the financial advisor jargon, and win more clients! In this podcast, you'll discover: ?Why complex language can cost you business and how to communicate clearly instead. ?The powerful secret to explaining financial concepts in a way that everyone can […] The post Are you losing clients because they don't understand your financial jargon? appeared first on Sara Grillo.

Hiring your first team member as a financial advisor can be daunting, but we've got you covered! Join Eric Negron & Sara Grillo for today's Truth Bomb as they tackle the challenges of hiring & training in the financial advisor world. In this discussion, you'll learn: -Two distinct approaches to building your team: “Pay to […] The post “I'm looking to make my first hire as a financial advisor. Where do I find them?” appeared first on Sara Grillo.

Question from a subscriber: “My marketing efforts are constantly sabotaged by negative self talk, limiting beliefs, and imposter syndrome. How do I get past this? (Heart emoji) No matter how confident we seem, we all have doubts. It's not about the absence of fear, it's about how you manage it. In this podcast, we discuss […] The post Awesomely positive ways to get rid of Imposter Syndrome and head trash! appeared first on Sara Grillo.

This podcast teaches financial advisors how to talk to CPAs so you can get a referral. The post You will  never get a single referral from a CPA by acting pathetic! appeared first on Sara Grillo.

While financial planning has become more popular, it's still not center stage for most advisors. I've got Zack Hubbard, the director of financial planning and participant engagement at Greenspring Advisors, a fee only RIA. He's going to talk about how his firm is providing access to financial planning for small accounts through their 401(k) platform. And that is […] The post Meet the firm that is finally bringing financial planning to small accounts! appeared first on Sara Grillo.

There are a lot of people who consider their fees low but here's a financial advisor who claims to be charging 60-80% lower fees than the “full-service” wealth management firms who are his competition.  Does he actually do this? How does he run his practice without going broke? What does low fee financial advice actually […] The post How does this financial advisor charge 60-80% lower fees without going BROKE? appeared first on Sara Grillo.

Medicare may seem like a straightforward type of thing – it's a government benefit that you just file for, right, how hard can it be? Well, not if you make mistakes. Today I've got Joanne Giardini-Russell to talk about why transitioning to Medicare is a big deal and how to help your clients avoid the … Don't let your clients take Medicare advice from William Shatner! Read More » The post Don't let your clients take Medicare advice from William Shatner! appeared first on Sara Grillo.

The following blog illustrates why is it so important to find the IRR of a policy, why you really should look at it, before you buy the policy. The post How to cut through insurance smoke and mirrors: find the IRR! appeared first on Sara Grillo.

The IRMAA, or Medicare income-related monthly adjustment amount, is a bit of a missed opportunity for many financial advisors. We've got special guests Dan McGrath and Paul Morrison with us today to talk about what you may be overlooking about IRMAA planning. For those of you who are new to my blog, my name is … What everyone is missing about IRMAA planning [dramatic reveal] Read More » The post What everyone is missing about IRMAA planning [dramatic reveal] appeared first on Sara Grillo.

It seems like there ain't nothing more tread upon and abused than the fiduciary standard. So we've got a lively crew here today to debate, does it really matter if someone is a fiduciary financial advisor, or not?  Is it, “meh, who cares”, or does it make a true difference? Let's debate it! For those … Does being a fiduciary financial advisor REALLY matter – or is it “meh?” Read More » The post Does being a fiduciary financial advisor REALLY matter – or is it “meh?” appeared first on Sara Grillo.

Financial advisors are skeptical that you can actually get leads from social media. Well today I have a planner who has blown up his lead pipeline, in less than nine months. Today we'll be talking to Thomas Kopelman, co-founder of AllStreet Wealth and you want to pay attention here because he makes getting leads from … This financial advisor makes getting leads from social media look like a piece of cake! Read More » The post This financial advisor makes getting leads from social media look like a piece of cake! appeared first on Sara Grillo.

Not the premium – but the actual costs of the insurance policy. That's what people think they grasp. When you pull back the curtain you see that insurance costs are often excessive – but the illustration will never tell you that! I've got some guests here who are ripping the veneer off the facade. Listen … How to CRACK the secret costs in an insurance illustration Read More » The post How to CRACK the secret costs in an insurance illustration appeared first on Sara Grillo.

Indexed universal life (IUL) is often sold using smoke-and-mirrors sales shams, but in this podcast we'll expose the truth! Listen to this if you are a financial advisors or consumer who wants to see through the crap and make better decisions about whether IUL is good for you (or your client) or NOT. For those … Blunt, unfiltered truth about Indexed Universal Life Read More » The post Blunt, unfiltered truth about Indexed Universal Life appeared first on Sara Grillo.

It seems like everyone from the Senate Banking Committee to Reddit forums, everyone is buzzing about crypto this and crypto that. Today we're gonna WAKA WAKA BREAK IT DOWN to the question, “Is crypto a good investment or is it as valueless as a rock?” and you can bet that this is going to be … Crypto – just a rock, or a good investment? (debate got wild) Read More » The post Crypto – just a rock, or a good investment? (debate got wild) appeared first on Sara Grillo.

So where's the spot bitcoin ETF and what's up with these crypto ETFs in general? Will the SPY lose its crown this year? Are semi-transparent ETFs are raw deal? This episode we're going to be talking about 2023 ETF trends and I thrilled to have some of industry's most knowledgeable people here to rap about … What is up with these crypto ETFs??? (& more 2023 trends) Read More » The post What is up with these crypto ETFs??? (& more 2023 trends) appeared first on Sara Grillo.

ESG sucks. In this podcast we're going to talk about why ESG is a rip-off and nothing more than a way for Wall Street to earn higher fees off unsuspecting people who mean well. Don't let your clients get taken! Listen to this show. In this podcast we are going to expose the truth about … Keep your clients far away from ESG investing – it's a rip-off! Read More » The post Keep your clients far away from ESG investing – it's a rip-off! appeared first on Sara Grillo.

As the move to transparency in financial planning takes hold, regulations are changing in Colorado and other states. Here's the triumph of virtue that financial planning transparency will (FINALLY) bring to planners across the country and the benefits to clients that come along with it. Get ready for an exciting show, folks, whoo hoooo!!!!!! We … Financial planning transparency is FINALLY upon us (whoo hooo!!!!!!!!!!!!) Read More » The post Financial planning transparency is FINALLY upon us (whoo hooo!!!!!!!!!!!!) appeared first on Sara Grillo.

This debate went psycho at times. Watch as all h&#@ breaks loose discussing the question of broker vs. financial advisor, commissions, fees, value, and more! This discussion was not censored – but maybe it should have been. We talked about: The debaters are: Charles King Scott Salaske Doug Twiddy Derek Robinett Michael Pinkans Chris Randall … This broker vs. financial advisor debate got ABSOLUTELY crazy! Read More » The post This broker vs. financial advisor debate got ABSOLUTELY crazy! appeared first on Sara Grillo.

Given the sorry state of America's finances, how are average households going to address income “sustainability” over 3+ decades?  Is selling annuities to them the answer? Let's talk about it. In today's show we're going to be debating a variety of topics related to the retirement crisis in America, the role that financial advisors and … Should you die and go to hell before selling an annuity? Read More » The post Should you die and go to hell before selling an annuity? appeared first on Sara Grillo.

In this podcast I talk with Bob Veres about the future of the industry, and specifically, financial advisor fees. We talk about what the value of a financial advisor is going to be in the future, what the current sources of confusion to the public are, and what that all means for how financial advisors … What is the future of financial advisor fees? Read More » The post What is the future of financial advisor fees? appeared first on Sara Grillo.

In Part Two of our two part series on the CFP Board, the heated debate continues. We'll discuss these questions: The CFP Board has specifically stated that it wants the CFP® mark to be a requirement for anyone who practices financial planning.  What is your opinion? What is the CFP Board's role in enforcement, and … Should the CFP Board police financial advisor “bad apples”? The debate continues! (Part Two) Read More » The post Should the CFP Board police financial advisor “bad apples”? The debate continues! (Part Two) appeared first on Sara Grillo.

A $100 increase in the CFP annual certification fee spurred an industry outcry, leading many to question whether the designation is worth it or not. There are more than 92,000 CFP® certificants, as per the CFP Board's 2022 measure. Are they getting a raw deal? Is it time to say “FU” to your CFP designation? … Should you cancel your CFP designation? Read More » The post Should you cancel your CFP designation? appeared first on Sara Grillo.

In this savage, take-no-prisoners debate, Igor Smolyanskiy, Michael Kotarinos, Scott Salaske and I debate whether or not direct indexing is worth it. Pull up a chair and get ready to rumble! But first! For those of you who are new to my blog, my name is Sara. I am a CFA® charterholder and financial advisor … A rowdy debate on if direct indexing is worth it or not. Should you be doing this for clients? Read More » The post A rowdy debate on if direct indexing is worth it or not. Should you be doing this for clients? appeared first on Sara Grillo.

I've come to rescue you from the terrible financial advisor jobs pitched at you by recruiters at wirehouse, bank, and insurance company “training programs.” RUN AWAY. If you are a new advisor or are looking to get into the industry, listen to the story of Jon Luskin. His smart career decisions after university allowed him … Avoid these terrible financial advisor jobs and get one that rocks! (using these tactics) Read More » The post Avoid these terrible financial advisor jobs and get one that rocks! (using these tactics) appeared first on Sara Grillo.

If you are thinking about becoming an Edward Jones financial advisor, STOP and read this blog ASAP! This is the true story of Nathan Penha, a former financial advisor with Edward Jones – you'll hear the real story about what it's like from someone who spent six years there. This blog/podcast talks about, from Nathan's … What's it like being an Edward Jones financial advisor? Read More » The post What's it like being an Edward Jones financial advisor? appeared first on Sara Grillo.

This interview with Cody Garrett, CFP, of Measure Twice Financial was mind-blowing. It's so clear to me what the future of financial advice is – what it should be – and what it will be. The advice-only movement is a bigger move than a shift in fees – it's a transcendence to a higher level … Advice-only financial planners are stealing the show! Read More » The post Advice-only financial planners are stealing the show! appeared first on Sara Grillo.

Direct indexing sucks – don't do it. Here are the reasons it will ruin your clients' portfolios and you should run away as fast as you can. For those of you who are new to my blog/podcast, my name is Sara. I am a CFA® charterholder and financial advisor marketing consultant. I have a weekly newsletter in … Don't poison your clients' portfolios with Direct Indexing! Read More » The post Don't poison your clients' portfolios with Direct Indexing! appeared first on Sara Grillo.

Almost every time I do something weird with my business to the point that anyone I tell laughs at it, those are the times of my highest effectiveness. If I were a financial advisor wanting to grow my business, I would do it weird as hell. Niched down like hell. This blog talks about target … Wild, wacky niches and target markets for financial advisors (+ examples)! Read More » The post Wild, wacky niches and target markets for financial advisors (+ examples)! appeared first on Sara Grillo.

The other day it hit me that the only systems in America other than AUM where you pay more for making more are alimony, child support, and the IRS. Today I have Rick Ferri with me who is an hourly advisor, a CFA charterholder, a Marine, and the host of the Bogleheads podcast. We're going to … Saving investors from the “Humpty Dumpty portfolio” with hourly financial advisor Rick Ferri, CFA Read More » The post Saving investors from the “Humpty Dumpty portfolio” with hourly financial advisor Rick Ferri, CFA appeared first on Sara Grillo.

There's so much useless crap advice on the subject of financial advisor prospecting emails. Here are some sample email sequences you can use when you contact somebody for the first time to try to get them to be your client. Unlike what you've probably been taught so far, these emails won't make you sound like … Two sentence financial advisor email sequences that WON'T make you sound like a teenager Read More » The post Two sentence financial advisor email sequences that WON'T make you sound like a teenager appeared first on Sara Grillo.

Be scared, because flat fee financial advisors are about to steal your clients. And if you don't believe me, listen to this podcast. Even if you have no interest in changing the way you charge fees, you still need to hear Andy Panko's story, because flat fee financial advisors like him are kicking your butt. … Here's why flat fee financial advisors are about to take your clients… Read More » The post Here's why flat fee financial advisors are about to take your clients… appeared first on Sara Grillo.

There's a ton of BS out there, so I wanted to clear the air with this complete guide to financial advisor marketing. In this blog you'll hear about 55 easy ways for wealth managers to get new, wealthy clients. Let's go! But first… For those of you who are new to my blog/podcast, my name … The complete, all-inclusive guide to financial advisor marketing: 55 easy ways to get wealthy clients Read More » The post The complete, all-inclusive guide to financial advisor marketing: 55 easy ways to get wealthy clients appeared first on Sara Grillo.

You are traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of volatility. Welcome to the crypto zone. In this interview with Ryan Firth, an hourly financial planner and CPA, we'll discuss being a crypto financial advisor, Blockchain, DAOs, Web 3.0, and other Star Wars stuff. Questions answered will include: What … Blockchain, DAOs, Web 3.0 and other “Star Wars stuff” with crypto financial advisor Ryan Firth Read More » The post Blockchain, DAOs, Web 3.0 and other “Star Wars stuff” with crypto financial advisor Ryan Firth appeared first on Sara Grillo.