D. Bruce Johnston

Never have your contacts, contact databases and the ability to email this audience played such an important role in your overall marketing strategy and marketing efforts. And, never have buyers/users been so confounded by the solutions and options available to them. The source of this confusion may lie in the terms themselves: email marketing and marketing automation. Although many may think so, these terms are not synonymous and stand for two distinct approaches. The only thing email marketing and marketing automation have in common is they are joined together by "email". Each approach uses email as the vehicle to communicate with their target audiences. The Research Favors "Email" Today's sophisticated marketers know they need either email marketing or marketing automation, as "email" plays a significant role in your marketing strategy. Why? Because the data is o... (more)

Social Media on Ulitzer - Strategy Nets New AUM for RIA

Social Media on Ulitzer RIAbiz.com recently discussed the findings of an August 24-25, 2009 Investment News survey conducted on the Twitter habits of the financial-advisory community.  Not surprisingly the survey reveals that "a mere 14.9% of financial advisers say they communicate with clients or colleagues through Twitter.  Meanwhile, only 44.9% and 43.8% of advisers say they use LinkedIn and Facebook, respectively, the survey found". Have RIAbiz.com and Investment News missed the point?  It's not about Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn!  It's about communicating with one's custo... (more)

How are RIAs Approaching Social Media?

With hope and fear. If they can publish a few blog posts, advisors can extend the life of a public relations story nearly effortlessly. With social media and its ability to generate attention inexpensively, it's hard not to consider it. The difficulty comes in when you ask an RIA what they are willing to pay for it. An RIA must opt for at least a minimal, consistent effort to communicate their subject matter expertise to their prospects. So, while the vehicles underlying all that publicity are almost free, the talent to assemble content and distribute it is not. And that's the r... (more)

To “Friend” Is the Trend: Social Media & Financial Services Today

That is the title of financial services research firm Corporate Insights update to their 2008 study on the topic of social media in financial services. The attached video interviews Alan Maginn, Senior Analyst, Consulting Services and asks him to answer these four questions: How are financial services firms using social media? How are financial services firms handling customer service in regards to social media? How are financial services firms using Twitter? How are financial services firms using Facebook to interact with clients and prospects? While I appreciate Alan’s comment... (more)

Archiving of Social Media Content Major Hurdle to Adoption by Advisors

Last week I sat on a social media panel at the "Innovation and Growth In A Post Economic Crisis Era" Conference sponsored by Spectrem Group and Financial Advisor Magazine.  Other panelists were Daniel Bernstein, JD Director of Professional Services, Market Counsel and Dr. Christopher W. Young Jr, Ph.D, Global Director - Strategy and Solutions Wealth Management for Dow Jones. Dan did an excellent job discussing FINRA Regulatory Notice 10-06, , FINRA's Guidance on Blogs and Social Networking Web Sites. (View Full Notice). He pointed out, Regulatory Rule 10-06 makes it clear that an... (more)