
The Perfect RIA Encore Episode:The Godfather: Michael Kitces
Dec 5, 2025
Michael Kitces, Head of Planning Strategy at Buckingham Wealth Partners and a key figure in the financial advisory landscape, shares invaluable insights. He emphasizes the importance of defining a niche for financial advisors to build sustainable practices. Kitces discusses the power of community and loyalty born from clear boundaries. He offers practical advice on testing niches with existing clients and iterating based on feedback. Plus, he highlights the significance of passion paired with client needs for success. Tune in for actionable strategies!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Free-First Platform Strategy
- Michael Kitces gives away most content for free and charges for a small set of high-value services to make the model work.
- This builds credibility and attracts people curious about the paid offerings.
Focus Beats Broad Appeal
- Narrow focus on a specific audience increases relevance and reduces dilution of content.
- Serving a defined segment lets you answer the community's recurrent questions deeply.
Communities Need Clear Boundaries
- Communities succeed when they have clear boundaries defining who belongs and who doesn't.
- Those boundaries create stronger bonds because members share similar experiences and problems.

