Top Advisor Podcast #89 Referrals, Social, and Events: A Modern Playbook for Growth with Abby Salameh
Referrals have always been the fastest and most predominant way that advisors have grown their business. But… it’s not the only way.
Abby Salameh, Chief Growth Officer at RFG Advisory, dives deep into what’s working right now when it comes to client acquisition for top-performing financial advisors.
Abby shares insights into four primary strategies her firm is using to drive growth: referrals, paid social events, and digital marketing.
You’ll hear how RFG equips advisors with toolkits and systematized processes to make asking for referrals less awkward and more effective. She also highlights the importance of nurturing new connections through drip campaigns and personalized follow-up.
Bill and Abby also explore how paid social and digital campaigns are creating fresh opportunities, and why events – especially educational ones – remain a tried-and-true method for attracting new clients.
But that’s not all! Abby highlights RFG’s StrongHer Money initiative, designed to empower women investors and help advisors better connect with this fast-growing segment.
Finally, Abby shares her vision for the future of the industry, emphasizing the rising importance of behavioral coaching and building genuine, trust-based client relationships.
Bill and Abby discuss:
- (04:15) Proven strategies for generating more client referrals and introductions
- (13:01) The importance of behavioral finance and its role in client relationship building
- (16:29) Leveraging paid social media to amplify your brand and reach new prospects
- (22:50) Hosting successful client events and how they integrate with digital marketing
- (29:48) RFG Advisory’s initiative to empower and attract women investors
- …And more!
Plus, Abby shares a free growth guide packed with proven strategies used by advisors who are achieving 20%+ organic growth.
Sponsors:
- SHOW SPONSOR: ProudMouth
- EPISODE SPONSOR: IronClad Family | Holistic Advisor Guide
- EPISODE SPONSOR: Harbor Capital Advisors | LinkedIn: Harbor Capital Advisors
Connect With Abby Salameh:
Cates Resources:
Connect With Bill Cates:
- BillCates@referralcoach.com
- Referral Coach Homepage
- Hire Bill for Coaching
- Enroll in The Cates Academy
About Abby Salameh:
Abby Salameh currently serves as RFG Advisory’s Chief Growth Officer. Ms. Salameh served as CAIS’ Chief Marketing Officer, where she headed the firm’s corporate and field marketing teams. Ms. Salameh has worked in the advisory industry for over 20 years: Before joining CAIS, she served as Hightower’s Chief Marketing Officer for two years taking the firm brand through a strategic rebrand in order to transform itself from a recruiter of ex-wirehouse advisors into a serial acquirer of RIAs.
Prior to that, Ms. Salameh was CMO at Private Advisor Group, a $20 billion RIA, where she spent six years creating top-line solutions for independent advisors. She has also previously held leadership positions at Fusion Advisor Network, where she successfully led the company’s sale to NFP, and was Head of Marketing for Institutional Services at TD Ameritrade and TD Waterhouse, where she was responsible for managing all aspects of the company’s marketing, advertising, conference and practice management initiatives. Ms. Salameh began her career at Sanford C. Bernstein before moving on to become a founding member of the team that launched InvestmentNews.
Ms. Salameh is a leader for the FSI Growth & Marketing Council, a member of the Invest in Others Marketing Council, a vetted industry speaker, and a regular volunteer at her local animal shelter. She holds an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Hofstra University.