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The Introverted Financial Planner
Today I have no rant, no warnings, no inside scoop; I simply want to ask a question.
I have found my blogging experience over the past two months tremendously rewarding. Sharing some of my learning has helped me gain a sense of importance and allowed me to reconnect with a profession I am truly passionate about. I love financial planning and the positive impact it can have on people's lives when done well. My blogging and reconnecting has helped rekindle that passion. It has made it clear to me that I really want to get back to the work of helping people make well-considered financial decisions. So today I want to pose a question to my readers...this is the question preventing me from moving forward quickly trying to build a small financial planning practice. The question is the following:
"Can an introvert be successful building a financial planning practice with no client-base?"
My introversion is strong. I find it very difficult to involve myself in discussions with large groups of people or introduce myself to someone without a predetermined discussion topic. I see this as a major block to creating a network to offer potential client introductions. However, I enjoy presenting before large groups and I love sitting with clients and discussing their financial well-being and helping them make well-considered financial decisions. Professionally I have experienced nothing more enjoyable than that interaction. My introversion does not impact my ability to work with people directly and provide outstanding advice.
I have absolute certainty that the service I would put together would benefit people greatly, and that I would have a profound & positive impact in people's lives. My practice would bring great value to clients. I have put many of my ideas out there on this blog already. But that one question keeps nagging me. Can an introvert be successful building a financial planning practice with no client-base? Can I find clients?
I do not desire to build a large practice. I want to work with a few clients whom I become intimately familiar with, who implicitly trust me and I them, and who I count among my friends. I do not look to achieve great wealth, simply a reasonable level of comfort to live the life my wife and I have planned. The client-acquisition bar is low, but there is still a need for clients.
Are you an introverted financial planner who has been able to do it? Have you seen someone else do it? What are your thoughts? Do you have suggestions? Your feedback is greatly appreciated. If you would feel more comfortable responding privately, please feel free to email me at livingfinanciallyaware@gmail.com.
Enjoy your weekend. I hope wherever you are, you are getting the same type of beautiful weather we are experiencing in northeast Wisconsin.
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6 comments:
The short answer . . . "YES"
I've always subscribed to the idea that there are plenty of opportunities in the financial planning industry or any industry for that matter.
I think the solution is for you to determine and focus on those people with whom you feel most comfortable. This doesn't mean you have to force yourself to do anything outside your comfort zone, but let's face it, there are LOTS of people out there that need and would benefit from your help. Of those people, I suspect at least a handful would describe themselves just like you have -- an introvert.
It has nothing to do with how you see yourself as maybe a little different than the typical planner. It has everything to do with finding people you can relate to and communicate with comfortably and who will appreciate and value the great work you do for them.
How do you go about this? Let's talk on the phone sometime. I have a couple of ideas.
I think that you should try your hand with going out on your own. What could it hurt? Even if your veture fails, the people that you could help would be better off. Why not start with friends & family, then the referals would come in. You don't have to do the old school brick & mortar office only to waste money on monthly bills. There are many tax advisors that have home offices, why not you? You can't fail. Buy low sell high right? You could help people take what they have & make it grow! People NEED an honest finacial advisor on thier side. - Eric
I think that it's definitely possible as an introvert to make it, you just need to be realistic in your expectations and work your plan. People are starving for authenticity these days and that's the biggest thing you bring to the table IMHO.
I am naturally shy and an awful networker who has survived in financial services for nearly 20 years... One approach to try may be to look to build relationships with professional connections - you will need/have an accountant/lawyer already and its worth exploring how they refer their clients (If at all...)
Advisors need to remember of all the most important tasks they include in their financial planning process, building trust is at the top. The question is, what really builds trust when it comes to matters of managing money?
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Making money is tough and managing it is a little bit tougher. But you can manage your money by choosing correct investment options. I am looking for financial planner who provides me complete guidance of financial planning.
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