The Fees Are Only Up Because The Market Is Up… [Episode 297]
Feb 24, 2025
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Dive into the debate on advisory fees and the true value they represent for clients. The hosts address the assumption that rising market values should automatically lead to higher fees. Discover the art of crafting a compelling value proposition that resonates with clients, emphasizing the need for clear communication and understanding. The discussion highlights the necessity of delivering real, perceived value while navigating the complexities of fee structures and enhancing client engagement. A fresh take on elevating the advisory experience waits!
Advisors must communicate their value clearly to help clients understand the rationale behind fees and services provided.
Establishing a structured communication process enhances client confidence while allowing advisors to protect their time and well-being.
Deep dives
Balancing Client Needs and Personal Time
Financial advisors often struggle to maintain a balance between being available for their clients and protecting their own time and mental well-being. An effective internal client communication policy can serve as a blueprint to establish professional boundaries while still making clients feel valued. This policy is designed to standardize team interactions, ensuring that every client receives consistent and high-quality service regardless of whether the advisor is available. By creating a structured communication process, advisors can enhance client confidence while safeguarding their own time.
Understanding Fees and Value
The conversation around advisor fees often becomes contentious when clients focus exclusively on performance and costs without understanding the value provided. It is important for financial professionals to communicate clearly what their services entail and how their fees align with the value delivered. The analogy of comparing a high-end vehicle, like a Mercedes, versus a budget option illustrates that clients appreciate the differences in service and experience that justify higher fees. When advisors can showcase their unique offerings, it's easier for clients to see the rationale behind their pricing structure.
Establishing Clear Processes for Client Interactions
Advisors benefit from having a clearly defined process for client interactions, which fosters confidence in both the advisor and the client. Having a systematic approach, such as the 'five steps of financial planning,' helps delineate what clients can expect during their relationship. This not only alleviates potential concerns over fees but also sets a baseline for the quality of services provided. When clients are informed, they can appreciate the structured journey they embark on, enhancing their overall experience and trust in the advisor.
The Importance of Value-Added Services
Delivering value-added services is critical in helping clients perceive their advisor's worth beyond just costs and performance returns. Specific offerings, such as beneficiary reports or estate planning, communicate tangible benefits that resonate with clients' emotional and financial needs. By focusing on these meaningful touches, advisors can demonstrate their expertise and reinforce the value of their service. Ultimately, enhancing the value proposition leads clients to feel justified in their investment, making financial discussions around fees less likely to arise.
In this episode of The Perfect RIA podcast, Matt and Micah tackle the ever-present elephant in the room: advisor fees and the true value behind those dollar signs. They discuss how clients, naturally protective of their hard-earned wealth, often wrestle with the age-old question: "What am I really getting for my money?"
Matt and Micah advocate for advisors to own their worth confidently and stress that having a crystal-clear value proposition isn't just nice to have – it's as essential as coffee on a Monday morning. They make a compelling case against the industry's tendency to race to the bottom on pricing. Instead, they champion the art of delivering massive value that makes clients feel like they've struck gold.