Hangout Archives

YouTube secrets for financial advisers

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Bill Winterberg in On Air, Online Marketing, Social Media, Video Spotlight

Effective video thumbnails, annotations, and hyperlinks are the biggest missed opportunities on YouTube for financial advisers

I recently connected with Joe and Luke Simonds of Advisor Internet Marketing (http://www.advisorinternetmarketing.com/) to talk about the top YouTube secrets for financial advisers.

The Simonds brothers are hosting 31 live Google+ Hangout events in 31 days (a tall order for anyone to deliver!), and I was the guest on March 12 to talk about YouTube secrets.

Here are some of the highlights from our 35 minute broadcast.

Why YouTube?

You likely already know that YouTube is the world’s second largest search engine right behind Google. And because Google owns YouTube, Google often seeds Internet search results with content uploaded to YouTube.

Advisers who are wondering why uploading content to YouTube is worth the time and effort need to know that if they have zero content on YouTube, they have zero chance at showing up in those coveted YouTube slots in Google search results.

At 4:30, Simonds and I talk about why this is so important for anyone in financial services.

It doesn’t cost a lot to get started

Yes, advisers can record a video with their iPhone and upload it to YouTube, but there are a number of reasons why this may not be the best strategy for creating YouTube content.

Fortunately, the total cost for “prosumer” video and studio equipment is a lot lower than some might think. I have a list of gear advisers can buy to create their own studio that is free for anyone who signs up to the free FPPad newsletter.

At 7:25, we talk about how important good audio and video quality is in creating the right impression for one’s audience.

The biggest mistake to avoid

One of the biggest mistakes I see advisers making is not going through the process of creating a transcript. Many advisers sit in their office, press record on their iPhone or webcam, and ad lib about a topic.

Big mistake!

One reason why this is a mistake is that for any adviser under compliance requirements for their content, advisers might have to scrap their video altogether if compliance doesn’t approve the content.

So the mistake to avoid is filming a video without a transcript.

Write a script, submit it to compliance prior to filming, and then after the video is uploaded to YouTube, upload the transcript so YouTube can add closed captions to the video. Not only does that decrease the risk of scrapping a video, transcripts increase the video’s search engine ranking as Google uses the transcript to identify what the video is about.

At 12:35, we discuss the big mistakes to avoid and how using transcripts solves those big risks.

Key secrets to boosting YouTube ROI

Filming a video and uploading it to YouTube isn’t going to guarantee success. Fortunately there are some super easy techniques and secrets that can boost an adviser’s YouTube ROI.

First, create a custom thumbnail image for your video and use that instead of allowing YouTube to pick a random frame from your video.

Second, use YouTube annotations to make it super easy for viewers to subscribe to your YouTube channel or to go watch a related video on your channel.

And third, use hyperlinks, complete with the “http://” prefix in the video’s description box on YouTube to help your viewers navigate to relevant websites.

At 14:40, we talk about all of these super easy secrets that few advisers know about that can really boost the ROI of YouTube.

How to look good on camera

With your YouTube video, you’re asking your viewers to give up some amount of time in the hopes that they’ll learn something, get a valuable takeaway, or be entertained. Don’t blow the opportunity by looking nervous or shifty on camera!

How have I become so comfortable filming all my videos?

I hired a coach.

Regular viewers of FPPad Bits and Bits might notice @CMS2020 in the credits as Executive Producer. That’s Steve Biermann, founder of Creative Marketing Solutions and my producer and coach for all of my video content.

At 22:11, we talk about the lessons I learned when I hired a coach and how he’s helped me improve my on camera presence.

End with a call to action

As with any good content online, finish the content with a call to action. What should the viewer do next? What resources are available to help the viewer answer their questions. The answer is in your call to action.

At 31:57, we end the Google+ Hangout with our respective calls to action, which includes my prompt to get my free guide to awesome video you will receive when you subscribe to the free FPPad newsletter. So subscribe right now!

I hope that you have time to watch the Hangout with Joe and Luke Simonds, or even jump in at the various time points provided above to get the most important takeaways.

And if you have any questions about getting started or your experience with video, go ahead and leave a comment below.

FPPad Bits and Bytes for September 6

Posted on September 6, 2013 by Bill Winterberg in Bits & Bytes

On this week’s broadcast, a peek at Junxure’s new cloud CRM for advisers, a custom built workflow system is coming to MoneyGuide Pro, why it’s time you should stop asking clients for referrals, and more. So get ready, Bits and Bytes begins now.

(Watch on YouTube) This week’s episode is brought to you by Shareholders Service Group, offering custodial services, advanced technology, and superior client service to nearly 1,100 independent RIAs nationwide.

Access leading technology from Black Diamond, MoneyGuide Pro, Redtail, TRX and Envestnet through the SSG open architecture platform. You personally handle your clients’ financial needs, so let SSG be the custodian that personally serves you. For more information, visit fppad.com/ssg

Here are the links to this week’s stories of interest:

Tech Review: Junxure Cloud Reaches for the Sky from Financial-Planning.com

[Leading off is an update on Junxure CRM, as their long-awaited transition to the cloud is just about ready for prime time. Financial Planning magazine technology editor Joel Bruckenstein recently reviewed Junxure Cloud, but hesitated to issue a resounding endorsement of the product. Bruckenstein praised Junxure Cloud’s modern design, reminiscent of tiles found in Windows 8, but cited a lack of functional widgets and live integrations as reasons to wait before fully embracing Junxure Cloud. Those issues, combined with minimum retail pricing of $2,700/year for 3 users, will likely put advisers in a wait-and-see mode to determine if Junxure Cloud eventually lives up to its potential.] Over the years, Junxure has added a few additional products, including ClientView, a client portal service, and Junxure Mobile. But the one component it’s been lacking is a cloud-based CRM product, which it’s been working on for about two years. Those efforts are about to bear fruit.

Financial Planning Software Experts at Money Guide Pro Select Fox Financial Planning Network To Develop Integrated Workflow System from eReleases.com

[Next up is news from MoneyGuide Pro, the most popular web-based financial planning software program used by advisers today. This week, MoneyGuide Pro announced that it selected the Fox Financial Planning Network to develop a custom workflow system to streamline the financial plan creation process. The Fox Financial Planning Network already provides pre-built workflow templates for popular CRMs like Redtail and Grendel, but this development marks the first time a workflow system addresses the steps unique to financial planning software. With over 300 adviser members to date, the Fox Financial Planning Network has clearly positioned itself as one of the go-to providers as advisers seek comprehensive workflow systems for their business.] PIEtech, maker of Money Guide Pro (MGP), the leading financial planning software for financial advisors, officially announced today the selection of Fox Financial Planning Network (FFPN) to develop a custom workflow system to enable MGP subscribers to create financial plans more efficiently as well as to drive adoption of recently added valuable features.

This tiny Irvine company built a pro video-conf product for millions — on top of Google Hangouts from VentureBeat.com

[Now Fox Financial Planning Network is a great example of a company that uses video conferencing and webinars to share information and build their profile. So you’ve probably considered using video conferencing yourself for similar activity with clients and prospects, but have yet to find the right platform. Webex and GoToMeeting might be too cumbersome for some clients use, and Google+ Hangouts might just be a little too informal for your tastes.

One new service attempting to bridge the gap is called Business Hangouts, which claims to be the enterprise-friendly app for Google+ Hangouts. Users get all the useful features of Google+ Hangouts video chats, but also a number of add-ons like event registration, email reminders, virtual 3D rooms, and more that are attractive to enterprise users. Paid versions start at just $9 a month for up to 50 attendees, which is a very steep discount from many of the other online video conference services.] Video-conferencing is a massively turbulent space right now. Large incumbents like WebEx and GoToMeeting are fighting smaller, nimbler, and cheaper options like Blue Jeans Network and the company that actually powers Google Hangouts, Vidyo. But an tiny upstart company in Irvine, California just might unseat them all.

Stop asking for referrals and use technology to drive growth from FPPad.com

[Finally, you are well aware how important referrals are in the organic growth of your business. But one industry consultant insists that it’s time advisers stop asking their clients for referrals. Stephen Wershing, president of The Client Driven Practice and author of book Stop Asking For Referrals, recently sat down with me to talk about the things advisers *should* do to create an effective referral strategy, which includes a few technology tips as well.] Asking clients for referrals can be damaging says one expert; use technology instead to drive your business growth.

The Adviser’s Mobile World videocast: Watch the replay now

Posted on July 17, 2013 by Bill Winterberg in Practice Management, Technology

Technology available today allows you to decide when and where you want to work. Resources such as the cloud, integrated apps, and powerful mobile devices really do allow you to become the mobile adviser.

In this broadcast, I joined advisers Blair duQuesnay and Sunit Bhalla along with moderator Davis Janowski to cover all things mobile for financial advisers.

Just click the play button below to watch the live videocast of The Adviser’s Mobile World, hosted by InvestmentNews.

(click to watch on YouTube)

My 10 Questions interview with the Journal of Financial Planning

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Bill Winterberg in Technology

Bill Winterberg 10 Questions

Ten questions highlights Dropbox, Google+ Hangouts, Windows 8 and more

Each month the Journal of Financial Planning interviews “noteworthy people” for its 10 Questions feature.

I had the honor and privilege of being the featured guest in February’s issue.

Carly Schulaka, Managing Editor for the Journal of Financial Planning, lined up a great list of questions, including conversations around file sharing services like Dropbox, whether financial planners should upgrade to Windows 8, broadcasting content over the Internet, and how inStream Solutions is poised to change the way financial plans are created.

Be sure to head on over to the Journal of Financial Planning and read 10 Questions with Bill Winterberg (PDF).

Also, I supplemented the 10 Questions feature with a video interview covering Pinterest and QR codes. See that video at How financial advisers can use Pinterest and QR codes

FPPad Bits and Bytes for December 7

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Bill Winterberg in Bits & Bytes

Remember to watch today’s FPPad On Air broadcast at 4:15 pm ET with Blane Warrene.

Here are this week’s stories of interest:

Meet the wealth management firm of the future from Reuters.com

[Technology Tools for Today’s High-Margin Practice is being released in early 2013 as the 10th anniversary of their original book, Virtual Office Tools for a High Margin Practice, nears. It was a privilege to be asked to contribute to the new edition, as I submitted a chapter on collaboration tools financial advisers can use in their business. Pre-order the book on Amazon to lock in the pre-order price.] When David Drucker and Joel Bruckenstein wrote a book about technology innovations for advisers in 2002, many readers were skeptical of their recommendations to use email and create a website.

Junxure Cloud – The Clear Choice for Advisors from Junxure.com

[I will be honest: I think Junxure faces an uphill climb when it releases Junxure Cloud next year. The desktop version has so much in its interface, between notes, tasks, assets, documents, action sequences, etc. that I can’t help but be skeptical how it will translate to a web-based user interface. Junxure provided a sneak preview earlier this year (see: A sneak peek of Junxure Cloud), so take a look and decide for yourself. But give credit to Greg Friedman, the points in this article are valid; there are no overlays like there are in Salesforce, and support is handled internally and not farmed out to a third party. Will those benefits be enough to overcome the daunting interface?] Junxure attended Charles Schwab’s IMPACT® 2012 event, where we announced the spring 2013 release target for Junxure Cloud, our new web-based CRM solution. Attendees were treated to a preview demo, including how Junxure Cloud could help manage workflow, track a firm’s efficiency, and capture client documents and financial data through a wide range of integrations.

Why You Should Consider Online Meetings With Clients from RIACentral.com

[Again and again I counsel advisers that they need to be comfortable using online meeting tools like Skype, FaceTime from Apple, and Google+ Hangouts. Giving your clients options to meet with you remotely, when it is convenient for them, goes a long way in solidifying your working relationship. Here’s a good summary article from RIACentral about four key benefits of meeting online.] Meeting clients online may seem like technological overkill. After all, it’s much easier to just pick up the phone and chat, right? But, in reality, online meetings solve a myriad of practical everyday problems for you.

FPPad On Air with Russ Thornton to talk about cool apps for advisers

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Bill Winterberg in On Air

Today I connected with Russ Thornton of Wealthcare Capital Management (find Russ online at http://www.wealthcareforwomen.com) on a Google+ Hangouts On Air to talk about several apps and services he’s using to get more done in his business.

I want to make this a weekly broadcast for your benefit. Have suggestions on future guests, topics, or time slots? Contact me!

Here are the links to those apps we highlighted in the Hangout:

http://jobchangenotifier.com
https://birthdayco.com/index.php
http://getpocket.com
https://www.contactually.com
http://www.nudgemail.com
http://www.workflowy.com

Click here to watch on YouTube, and thanks for watching!

Watch my live Google+ Hangout with Bart Wisniowski this Friday November 2 at 4:15PM Eastern

Posted on October 31, 2012 by Bill Winterberg in Video Spotlight

I continue to try and add to the ways you can learn new things about technology in financial services and wealth management.

This year, I launched both a YouTube channel and an iTunes Podcast featuring a variety of content, interviews, and screencasts on topics ranging from apps to workflow. With nearly 8,000 YouTube views and over 1,000 podcast downloads, you clearly are engaging this content and are likely sharing it with your colleagues.

Now I’m going to try another new way to deliver content to you.

Live Google+ Hangouts

Google+ Hangout with John Schobel and Blane Warrene of RegEd

Starting this Friday, November 2, I’m going to interview vendors and thought leaders live on Google+ Hangouts On Air.

Tune in this Friday at 4:15pm Eastern, 1:15pm Pacific, for my interview with Advisor Websites co-founder Bart Wisniowski. My agenda includes the one thing advisers are missing on their website and details of recent partnership announcements.

How to Watch

To watch Friday’s Hangout, you’ll need a free Google account. When logged in, simply visit my public Google+ profile, and at the top, you should see a button to join the Hangout On Air. That’s it!

And if you’re so inclined, feel free to submit your questions for Bart Wisniowski in the comments below, or you can tweet them to me at @BillWinterberg during the live broadcast.

RegEd announces agreement to acquire Arkovi: What financial advisers need to know

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Bill Winterberg in Compliance, Social Media

This morning, compliance and risk management solutions provider RegEd announced an agreement to acquire social media archiving vendor Arkovi.

Click here to view the full press release RegEd Announces Agreement to Acquire Arkovi, the Award-Winning Financial Services Provider of Social Media Archiving and Surveillance.

Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

To get more details on the announcement, I invited RegEd CEO John Schobel and Arkovi CEO Blane Warrene to a Google+ Hangout. Below is the replay of that Hangout so you can hear from each company’s CEO about the acquisition and respective plans for the future.

FPPad