When Clients Evolve Out Of Your Niche Specialization Should You Stay Or Go (Or Not)?: Kitces & Carl Ep 124
Nov 2, 2023
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The hosts discuss the dilemma of clients evolving out of their niche specialization and whether to follow them or find new clients. They explore the importance of niche selection and framing discussions in terms of underlying principles. They also address concerns about client retention and maintaining the client-advisor relationship. The speakers discuss how financial advisors choose their niche specialization and the pros and cons of focusing on existing clients versus serving a specific niche. They also explore the mindset of saying yes to a specific niche and the fear of missing out on other opportunities. They discuss the challenges financial advisors face when clients evolve out of their niche specialization and the impact of scarcity mindset on decision-making. They emphasize the importance of following clients on their journey and serving existing clients well.
Advisors should address clients' concerns and communicate their commitment to continued service, overcoming the fear of scarcity and saying no.
Advisors need to make a choice and dedicate their efforts to serving one specialization effectively, rather than splitting their focus and energy between multiple directions.
Deep dives
The Fear of Choosing and Scarcity Mindset
Many advisors are afraid of saying no to clients who don't fit their niche due to a scarcity mindset. They fear that if they turn away clients, they will never get new ones and their business will suffer. However, successful advisors who have already established their niche often find that saying no to clients outside of their niche is more work for less money. The reality is that clients don't care about who the advisor's next new client is; they care about being served well. Advisors should address clients' concerns and communicate their commitment to continued service. The fear of scarcity and saying no is often unjustified, especially when there is a reasonable flow of clients. Advisors need to overcome this fear and be decisive in their business.
Evolving Specializations with Clients
Advisors are allowed to change and evolve their specializations as their clients change and evolve as well. This is a common path that many firms have taken. They start with a specific niche and as their clients grow and age, the firms adapt and specialize in new areas that their clients are moving towards. The key is to either stay with the original niche or evolve with the clients, but trying to do both can undermine the efficiency and focus of the business. Advisors need to make a choice and dedicate their efforts to serving one specialization effectively, rather than splitting their focus and energy between multiple directions.
The Fear of Terminating Relationships
Some advisors struggle with the idea of terminating relationships with clients who have outgrown their original niche. They have built strong relationships with these clients and don't want to let them go. However, if the advisor wants to stick with the relationships and follow the clients on their journey, they are allowed to do so. The reality is that if the advisor has already reached a point where they don't actually need many new clients, they can continue serving their existing clients without needing to terminate the relationships. It's important to recognize that clients are usually more concerned about being fired by the advisor than leaving the advisor's niche. Clear communication and reassurance can address clients' concerns and maintain the relationships.
The Importance of Focus and Avoiding Splitting Efforts
Maintaining focus and avoiding split efforts is crucial for advisors who are in growth mode. Continuing success in one specific niche and then splitting focus into multiple directions is not sustainable for growth. Advisors need to be careful about dividing their energy, service, and marketing efforts between different specializations. It's important to recognize that splitting attention weakens the efficiency that was achieved by focusing on one area in the first place. Focusing on one specialization and building marketing efforts around it is a more effective strategy for growth.
In our 124th episode of Kitces & Carl, Michael Kitces and client communication expert Carl Richards discuss how to handle when clients no longer fit your specialization.