IFA's and the Internet - where's it going?

There has been a big hoo- ha about the use of social media and the internet for IFA's and financial advisers over the last year - so much so that we are often asked as to whether or not we see any benefit in it.  Now, working in a recruitment agency specialising in financial services recruitment you wouldn't have thought that we would have the answer to that question but aha, hold on - we have to use the same media as financial advisers and IFA's, yet we are targeting a much smaller market.  So yes, we do have a very good idea as to what is effective, whats worth using and what isn't.

In terms of marketing oneself, starting a blog such as this can be a good way for the financial adviser or the IFA targeting the consumer looking for financial planning advice to get good exposure to a web savvy audience.  It doesn't take much to get onto blogger or wordpress, write about what you are experienced in and target the consumer you want as clients.  Ping as many search engines as you can, update with regular posts and get your blog onto Technorati, Digg, and so on. Technorati use some sort of claim system where you have to claim your blog by posting some weird, alien like code such as YPFD9ZHKE6XF or something along those lines but some of the others are simple and much easier to use.  Blogs are a good way to get clients interacting by the use of comments box's, it also makes sure they remain on your site for longer, which will give you more chance to secure them as potential clients.

Social Networking, the waster of untold man hours and the pariah of many an employer is here to stay and that means as a financial organisation, a one man IFA practice or whatever, you have to be using it. Facebook, Twitter, FriendFeed, Tumblr, Plurk, there are many and they alll attract different demographics so its a good idea to look into what type of audience are using them before advertising your practice or financial advisory services on them.  Phillip Calvert of IFA life is a great exponent of the social networking phenomenen and his IFA Life website is a great place to start when looking for information on what to do as a financial adviser or IFA.  They also run regular webinars and seminars on the subject.

Longer term, eventually, we will have financial advice being offered over the internet.  Of course, it will take huge amounts of scrutiny and it will be very heavily regulated but that is, most definitely, the way we are moving.  If, as an IFA or financial adviser you aren't web and social media savvy by the time that comes around, then you will be left behind. With the advent of Web cam's, skype, etc, etc, its only a short step to over the net financial advice so get ready people, the future is coming, and its nearer than you think!