How to compete in an endlessly changing advisory marketplace? We all know that effective branding is both the key and an ongoing challenge. To stand out from the crowd, advisors must find a way to distinguish their brand communications and truly connect with their audience. A book I read recently, Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller, will help you do exactly this.

Whether prospective clients are referred to you or are conducting their own search for financial advisors in their area, the first place they’ll go to learn more about your firm is your website. And where’s the first place they’ll look on your website to learn more about you? Your biography! So, what does that mean for you? Without a shred of a doubt, you need an informative, well-crafted, engaging bio that wins over prospects and motivates them to explore the rest of your website—and, ultimately, get in touch with you.

It’s absolutely true: spending time giving back to your community can provide tremendous benefits—not just for the people and organizations you are helping, but for your personal well-being and even for your business.

In our content-driven, constantly changing world, the oldest form of communication has once again become the most successful way to make connections—and businesses are taking note. The rediscovered art of storytelling has given marketing departments a refurbished tool for strengthening brands and bottom lines.

Communication is vital to any relationship, and studies have found that many clients who leave their financial advisor do so not because their investments didn’t perform as expected, but because their advisor didn’t communicate enough with them.

When you have timely, consistent communication with clients about information that applies to them, such as tax law changes or breaking market news, you help build your credibility and, in turn, your clients’ trust in you. Sure, they can find similar information through their preferred news outlet, but getting a message directly from you is more personalized and meaningful.