Sometimes meeting with your financial or retirement advisor is a lot like going to the dentist. You know it’s good for you, you know in the long run you’ll be happy you do it, but in the moment you dread it because of the costs (like projected ones!) and it seems like just another chore to struggle through. There’s no doubt about it: Planning for retirement and keeping on top of 401(K)s and other tools is a necessity. However, did you know following financial providers on social media is a more engaging way to stay on top of your needs?
A good financial provider with social media savvy will know that this is a platform to engage, educate/entertain (in equal parts), and where you can enjoy bite-sized nuggets of relevant information that’s easy to digest. Plus, with the anonymity of the screen, you’re more likely to ask those “stupid” questions everyone else is wondering about (that aren’t actually stupid at all). Plus, if your advisor is following Forbes’ tips for social media engagement, this can be a great way to kill some time at work, too!
Here are a few things financial gurus should be sharing on social media:
1. Retirement 101
What exactly is a 401(K) and how is it different than a 403(B)? How do pensions work in your particular state? And how can you calculate on any given day the minimum you should be saving for retirement? You can’t expect a financial wizard to also be a writing genius, but they should at least be following Copyblogger’s advice on how to trim the fat from their content and engage. They might even be working with a professional writer, feeding them information that’s then spun into content gold.
2. Short videos and infographics
Maybe the idea of even a short block of text turns you off, and that’s okay. Especially in an era of mobile readiness, you don’t have time to squint and read tiny paragraphs talking about your retirement. A good financial advisor will pepper in plenty of short videos (under three minutes) or infographics to draw you in. Plus, people learn in different ways and appealing to visual learners is crucial.
3. The latest news that’s easy to miss or confuse
Maybe finances and retirement aren’t big buzzwords on your news media outlet of choice. Perhaps you’ve heard about the hubbub with social security, but it’s confusing to figure out what’s really going on. A financial advisor’s social media page will link to authority sources, but also break down what’s happening for you in a few sentences. This keeps you from getting lost in the jargon of the financial tab of media sites.
4. Open-ended questions
Both you and your financial advisor are here to engage, but they should take the first step. By asking genuine, open-ended questions and actively listening, this is a way to get free advice from an expert! The best ones will respond within 12 hours and make sure they answered your question completely. There won’t be any pitches or recommendations that you make an appointment for more information.
5. Their human side
Particularly with advisors in major firms, it can seem like there’s not a real person behind all that advice. On social media, they should be sharing glimpses of who they are, their personality, their humor, but still keep it professional. After all, you don’t want to trust a robot with your finances!
Just like any other professional, some financial advisors are better at social media than others. However, it’s a great way for you to find out who’s the right match for you.
from Darlene Milligan http://ift.tt/1MZnuO6 via social advertising
from Tumblr http://ift.tt/1BJ3rRa
No comments:
Post a Comment