Thinking about launching your own RIA, joining a new firm, or recruiting transitioning advisors?
Stephen Beach and Faustin Weber share the behind-the-scenes story of how Craft Impact got into the RIA space and why marketing communications are critical during advisor transitions.
We cover:
How Craft Impact discovered the advisor transition opportunity through Stephen's brother-in-law Boston Cardinal
The marketing and communications challenges advisors face during business moves
Why firms with strong marketing presence have a competitive advantage in talent acquisition
The launch kit framework that takes marketing off advisors' plates during transitions
Best practices for transition communications that maximize asset retention
⏱️ Timestamps:
(0:00) Welcome & introduction to advisor launch kits
(2:25) The Craft Impact origin story - from nomadic freelancers to RIA specialists
(4:45) How Boston Cardinal brought us into the advisor transition space
(8:30) Why marketing communications matter during advisor moves
(12:15) The talent acquisition advantage of strong marketing presence
(15:45) Components of an effective advisor launch kit
(21:30) Transition communication strategies that work
(25:10) How marketing influences asset retention during moves
(28:40) Framework for supporting advisor transitions
Whether you're an advisor considering a move or a firm looking to attract transitioning talent, this episode reveals how strategic marketing communications can be the difference between a smooth transition and a bumpy one.
We help financial advisors reach their AUM goals through strategic marketing. Subscribe to Craft on Tap on YouTube and learn more about our services at craftimpact.com
As mentioned in the podcast, check out the Vantage Impact Checklists.
Thinking about building your marketing team in-house instead of hiring an agency?
Stephen Beach and Faustin Weber share the honest truth about agency vs. in-house vs. hybrid marketing approaches for financial advisory firms…even when it means selling against themselves.
We cover:
Why you should consider building in-house first (yes, we're serious)
The level of brand intimacy "only" an in-house person can provide
When the hybrid model works (and when it creates chaos)
How to set clear roles and avoid the "who's driving the bus" problem
⏱️ Timestamps:
(0:00) Welcome & our agency bias confession
(1:45) Why you should consider building in-house first
(5:35) The power of brand intimacy with in-house marketing
(13:45) The cons of in-house: management, training, and the unicorn problem
(18:00) Agency pros: strategy, expertise, and data across multiple clients
(22:10) Agency cons: cost and speed limitations
(26:25) The hybrid model: when it works and when it fails
(30:15) Final thoughts and unicorn hat offer
Whether you're weighing your first marketing hire or considering a change in approach, this episode provides an unbiased look at what each model offers for growing RIA firms.
We help financial advisors reach their AUM goals through strategic marketing. Subscribe to Craft on Tap on YouTube and learn more about our services at craftimpact.com
Do webinars still work in 2025?
Yes, for the right audience. And especially as a way to mass-market & engage your current clients. Using real data from a $3B AUM firm, Stephen & Faustin talk about the pros and cons of webinars as a tool for advisory firms, and share 11 tips to boost client engagement.
We cover:
• Why the 80/20 approach (marketing to clients vs. strangers) makes webinars more valuable
• How Burney Company increased webinar registrations from 60 to 150+ per session
• The 11 tactics that drive consistent attendance and engagement
⏱️ Timestamps:
(0:00) Welcome & why webinars aren't dead
(4:05) Burney Company case study introduction - $3B firm
(6:15) The validation process - interviewing clients first
(9:23) Crisis communication advantage - tariff response example
(14:20) The data - 250% increase in registrations
(17:50) 11 tactical tips for webinar success
(18:05) Tip 1: Commit to regular cadence
(19:00) Tip 2: Same time, same day consistency
(22:00) Tips 3-4: Multiple presenters and mixing team members
(23:30) Tip 5: Interactive Q&A formats using Slido
(26:10) Tip 6: Top-of-mind topics aligned with client service calendar
(29:25) Tip 7: Multi-channel promotion strategy
(32:20) Tip 8: Professional landing pages that convert
(33:45) Tip 9: Recorded follow-up with key takeaways
(37:00) Tips 10-11: Feedback loops and marketing champions
(39:12) Bonus experiments - niche webinars and exclusivity tactics
This episode provides a proven framework for turning webinars into a cornerstone of your client engagement strategy.
We help financial advisors reach their AUM goals through strategic marketing. Subscribe to Craft on Tap on YouTube and learn more about our services at craftimpact.com
#FinancialAdvisors #ClientEngagement #Webinars #RIAMarketing
Lead magnets have been the poster child of inbound marketing for over a decade, but are they still effective for financial advisory firms? Stephen and Faustin discuss the evolution of lead magnets, from HubSpot's original flywheel approach to today's more complex, pinball-machine buyer journey.
History lesson: How and why lead magnets became a key component of inbound marketing, particularly with the HubSpot community.
The current state in 2025: It's not as simple as it used to be, with Google AI overviews keeping searchers on Google and people far more hesitant to share their contact information.
Three critical stages: Matching your lead magnet to where prospects are in their journey (browsing vs. researching vs. advisor shopping).
What works now: Specific examples from retirement checklists to equity compensation calculators.
The biggest mistake: Generic newsletter signup popups that hurt more than help.
Landing page essentials: Why 3D mockups and one-minute videos can boost conversions for your lead magnets.
Promotion strategy: The "jab, jab, jab, hook" methodology for building an audience before asking.
TL;DR: Don't expect lead magnet downloads to become discovery calls overnight. The real value is building your nurture list for long-term relationship development.
⏱️ Timestamps:
(0:00) History of lead magnets and HubSpot's influence
(3:55) The "Delight" phase and the full HubSpot Flywheel explained
(6:30) Why the linear funnel is dead - the pinball machine effect
(11:00) Current lead magnet trends from B2B SaaS companies
(17:00) Three buyer journey stages and content alignment
(29:45) What NOT to do - newsletter popup rant
(34:05) Setting realistic expectations for lead magnet conversion and follow-up
(40:50) Lead magnet examples that convert
(47:50) The importance of interactive and specific lead magnet formats
(49:25) Landing page optimization tips
(54:30) Promotion strategies across channels
Lead magnets can still be a powerful tool for RIAs, but for success, you'll need audience alignment, precise timing, and realistic expectations.
We help financial advisors reach their AUM goals through marketing that works. Subscribe to Craft on Tap on YouTube and learn more about what we do at craftimpact.com.
One of the most polarizing questions in financial advisor marketing: Should you display your fees online?
Stephen Beach and Faustin Weber break down Marcus Sheridan's "Big Five" content marketing principles and create their own five-level framework specifically for advisory firms.
Despite 44% of affluent investors wanting pricing information, many RIA firms choose not to provide it. There are certainly pros & cons. Here's how to think through this decision strategically.
We cover:
⏱️ Timestamps:
(0:00) Intro & context for the pricing question
(4:46) Marcus Sheridan's influence and the "Big Five" content pillars
(7:25) Why pricing is the fifth pillar of content marketing
Whether you're firmly in the "never show pricing" camp or ready to embrace full transparency, this episode gives you a framework to make the right decision for your firm and target market.
We help financial advisors reach their AUM goals through strategic marketing. Subscribe to Craft on Tap on YouTube and learn more about our services at craftimpact.com
What does "marketing strategy" really mean for financial advisors?
Stephen Beach and Faustin Weber discuss arguably the most overused buzzwords in marketing by walking through three real client scenarios.
Strategy isn't just the tactics or goals. It’s the custom plan that connects your business objectives to specific marketing actions.
We cover:
⏱️ Timestamps:
(0:00) What marketing strategy actually means vs. common misconceptions
(7:30) Why custom strategies beat templated packages every time
(10:00) Case study 1: The 50M firm targeting nurses - audience research deep dive
(17:00) Audit, discovery, and messaging strategy fundamentals
(26:50) Case study 2: Billion-dollar firm launching tax practice - brand integration
(31:35) Case study 3: 300M firm focusing on business owner exit planning
(34:40) The importance of measuring what works and eliminating what doesn't
(36:25) Attribution challenges
(42:00) Strategy fundamentals: business goals, ideal client personas, and execution
Whether you're evaluating marketing partners or building internal strategy, this episode reveals how strategic thinking drives real results for advisory firms.
We help financial advisors reach their AUM goals through strategic marketing. Subscribe to Craft on Tap on YouTube and learn more about our services at craftimpact.com
What drives affluent investors to choose one financial advisor over another?
In this episode of The Craft On Tap Podcast, Stephen Beach and Faustin Weber talk through 2025 industry research published by The Ensemble Practice and re-shared on the Nerd’s Eye View by CEO Philip Palaveev.
Important links:
It’s packed full of good data, but we focus in on a few of the questions in particular:
Go check out the full survey on the Ensemble Practice website. Some great stuff here!
Timestamps:
(0:00) Introduction: Growth marketing and investor survey data
(3:10) Who's actively shopping for advisors
(4:06) Firm size and client retention
(6:54) How investors begin their advisor search process
(9:12) Affluent investor referral patterns vs general population
(13:20) The importance of CPA and professional referral partnerships
(16:40) What information investors want on advisor websites
(17:55) The pricing transparency debate and client considerations
(22:20) Firm history and team bios important for affluent investors
(25:35) Investment philosophy and financial planning approach
(27:45) Services investors value most: comprehensive planning focus
(32:02) Marketing strategy takeaways for RIA firms
We help financial advisors reach their AUM goals through strategic marketing. Subscribe to Craft on Tap on YouTube and learn more about our services at craftimpact.com
Should financial advisors focus on personal branding or firm branding?
The answer depends on your firm's size, goals, and growth stage.
In this episode of the Craft On Tap Podcast, Stephen Beach and Faustin Weber discuss this common marketing dilemma.
They cover:
Timestamps:
(0:00) Introduction: The LinkedIn posting dilemma
(2:14) What gets the most engagement?
(8:40) - Smaller advisors should focus on personal brand
(10:35) Survey data on the importance of personal branding
(13:00) Scaling practices need to weave in building the firm's brand
(18:25) Real client case study: Personal Substack creating leads for firm
(24:00) How to integrate personal & firm branding on a practical level
(28:40) Scaling strategy for larger firms
(34:43) SEO considerations for personal branding & bio pages
We help financial advisors reach their AUM goals through strategic marketing. Subscribe to Craft on Tap on YouTube and learn more about our services at craftimpact.com
Should you panic about AI search optimization? Are your prospects really finding financial advisors through ChatGPT?
Stephen Beach and Faustin Weber discuss the rapidly evolving world of AI search and its implications for financial advisory firms.
We cover:
⏱️ Timestamps:
(0:00) Welcome & the AI search overview
(2:10) The "alligator effect" destroying traditional search traffic
(4:45) Real client data: AI search leads are increasing (but should you panic?)
(8:15) The two types of people using AI search and why it matters
(11:45) Why only 1% of people click AI search citations
(15:20) The 6-step framework for showing up in AI search results
(23:00) E-E-A-T methodology: Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust
(31:00) Why content distribution across multiple channels is critical
(37:10) Reddit and YouTube: The secret weapons for AI citations
(41:50) Practical steps you can take today (without abandoning what works)
Before you restructure your entire marketing strategy around AI search, listen to this reality check on what's working for financial advisory firms right now.
#FinancialAdvisors #AISearch #SEO #ChatGPT #RIAMarketing #GEO
Find out more about what we do: https://www.craftimpact.com/
Stephen Beach and Faustin Weber discuss a real listener question: "We have a wealth management firm that services individuals and families. We need a marketing plan to scale from $85 million AUM to $150 million AUM in five years."
In this episode:
⏱️ Timestamps:
(0:00) Welcome & The $75M to $150M Challenge
(1:41) Step One: Segment Your Current Client Base by Personas
(4:09) Marketing to Your Clients Before Marketing to Strangers
(4:41) Choosing Your Primary Avatar and Testing Multiple Niches
(10:15) The Positioning Spectrum: From Niche Pages to Full Commitment
(15:12) Social Media Strategy Without Alienating Current Clients
(17:10) Finding Your Audience: Where Do They Actually Consume Content?
(19:40) Using AI Tools to Research Community Questions and Challenges
(21:00) Thinking From the Buyer's Perspective: Standing Out from Competition
(23:00) Growth Hacking Your Way to Awareness
(25:45) Real Case Study: The Dentist Niche That Struggled
(29:00) COI Marketing Beyond Traditional Referral Partners
(30:00) How to Approach Influencers and Community Leaders
(31:35) Conclusion: The Path to $150M AUM
We've worked with RIAs at every stage of growth. This episode provides a systematic approach to scaling your practice through strategic positioning and smart growth tactics.
Stephen Beach and Faustin Weber answer the question"How can you write compelling copy about complex financial topics when you're not financial experts yourselves?"
And how do you capture my firm’s brand voice in terms of style and tone?
In this episode, we break down:
The interview-based copywriting approach that extracts your expertise efficiently
Why hiring good writers who can write simply and persuasively is step one
How messaging guides and brand workshops capture your firm's unique voice
The role of AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT in our copywriting process
Brand voice worksheets that help position your firm on the spectrum from serious to playful
Real examples of how we've gotten better at financial copywriting over 5+ years
⏱️ Timestamps:
(0:00) Welcome & The Copywriting Challenge for Non-Experts
(1:49) Step One: Hiring Good Writers Who Can Write Simply & Persuasively
(6:11) The Interview-Based Copywriting Process
(7:20) How AI Tools Enhance Our Copywriting Workflow
(10:01) The Comprehensive Messaging Guide Development
(11:34) Brand Voice Worksheets: From Traditional to Progressive
(13:23) Determining Your Firm's Tone: Serious vs. Playful
(14:20) When We Need Extra Subject Matter Expertise
(15:07) Conclusion
We've been refining this approach since 2012, working with financial advisors to create copy that's both technically accurate and compelling. Subscribe to Craft on Tap on YouTube and learn more about our services at craftimpact.com
Stephen Beach and Faustin Weber tackle the burning question every financial advisor asks: "Should I run paid ads to generate leads?" Spoiler alert: probably not.
In this episode, we break down:
The real reason advisors want to run paid ads (and what to focus on instead)
Why clients with $1M+ assets usually don't Google "financial advisor near me"
The case study of Pure Financial spending $10 million with Smart Asset
When paid ads actually make sense (hint: it's very specific)
How to avoid getting scammed by marketing agencies promising guaranteed leads
⏱️ Timestamps:
(0:00) Welcome & Intro
(0:40) The Real Reason Advisors Want Paid Ads
(2:29) Different Types of Paid Ads & Platforms
(6:05) The Three Types of Ads Explained
(11:00) Why $1M+ Clients Don't Google "Financial Advisor Near Me"
(14:54) Case Study: Pure Financial & Smart Asset
(18:16) High Failure Rate & Infrastructure Needed for Paid Ads
(24:15) Avoiding Marketing Agency Scams
(28:05) When Paid Ads Do Make Sense
(33:43) Paid Ads as One Element of a Holistic Strategy
(40:50) Conclusion
We've spent years and thousands of dollars testing paid ads so you don't have to. This episode will save you time, money, and frustration.
What to do when you see another "congratulations, you’ve made the list!" email.
Stephen Beach and Faustin Weber tackle one of the most common questions they get from financial advisors: are these industry awards actually worth paying for?
We break down:
• How to evaluate which awards are worth the investment vs. money grabs
• Key questions to ask before paying any licensing fees
• Smart strategies for maximizing awards once you've invested
Timestamps:
(1:31) Why the award business model threw us off at first
(3:04) The key question: will your target audience recognize this brand?
(5:18) Interviewing clients as a way to verify an award’s value
(7:09) Am I actually proud to share this award?
(8:15) Pricing structure
(9:35) Award longevity and timing considerations
(12:54) How to maximize your investment with a solid announcement plan
(17:00) Compliance considerations and SEC audit implications
#FinancialAdvisors #RIAMarketing
Are you sending email "blasts" to your entire contact list and wondering why you're not getting results?
In this episode, Steven Beach and Faustin Weber discuss email marketing that works, plus tips you can incorporate into your email strategy now.
We cover:
• The critical importance of list segmentation for RIAs
• What content to send to clients vs. prospects vs. old leads
• Email nurturing strategies that actually move prospects through your pipeline
• Common technical mistakes that hurt your deliverability rates
⏱️ Timestamps:
(0:00) Welcome & summer break struggles for working parents
(2:30) Why email marketing still matters in 2025
(4:45) The foundation: How to properly segment your contact lists
(12:15) What to send your current clients (beyond market commentary)
(17:46) Structuring your emails for engagement
(23:20) What to send to your old prospects and cold lists
(27:20) The goal: Staying top of mind for future catalysts
(33:12) Rapid-fire email best practices
(41:25) Lead nurturing for active pipeline prospects
(48:45) Strategies for following up without being pushy
(50:55) Final thoughts on building systematic email workflows
Whether you're just starting with email marketing or looking to improve your current approach, this episode gives you practical frameworks for turning your contact database into a growth engine for your financial advisory practice.
#FinancialAdvisors #EmailMarketing #RIAMarketing #LeadNurturing #CraftImpact
Like this episode or have questions? Please drop a comment!
Are AI video avatars the future of financial advisor marketing? In this special debate episode, Stephen Beach and Faustin Weber dive into the controversial topic of AI-driven avatars for video marketing.
⏱️ Timestamps:
(0:00) Introduction to AI avatars in financial marketing
(1:08) Faustin's perspective: Why AI avatars might harm trust
(2:15) Stephen plays devil's advocate: Can clients tell the difference?
(5:02) The importance of internal brand alignment
(7:34) Authenticity vs. polish in video marketing
(11:35) The rise of easy-to-use video marketing tools
#FinancialAdvisors #AIAvatars #VideoMarketing #CraftImpact
Stephen Beach and Faustin Weber discuss how we structure our agency team and what that will look like for you as a client.
We break down:
⏱️ Timestamps:
Whether you're evaluating a new marketing partner or measuring your current efforts, this episode gives you practical insight into what you should prioritize when working with a marketing partner.
#FinancialAdvisors #RIAMarketing #MarketingROI #CraftImpact
"How much of my time will this take?" - the crucial question every advisor needs to ask before hiring a marketing partner.
Stephen Beach and Faustin Weber tackle head-on what financial advisors really want to know about working with marketing agencies like Craft Impact.
We cover:
⏱️ Timestamps:
Before hiring any marketing partner, understand exactly what time commitment will be expected from you and your team. This episode gives you the straight talk on working with Craft Impact.
#FinancialAdvisors #RIAMarketing #MarketingPartnership #OutsourcedMarketing
Is your firm's messaging helping you stand out or just blending in with every other advisor?
Stephen Beach and Faustin Weber break down why messaging is the foundation of effective marketing for financial advisory firms and how to get it right.
We cover:
⏱️ Timestamps:
Whether you're establishing a new RIA or refreshing your existing brand, this episode provides actionable advice for creating messaging that truly connects with your ideal clients and helps fuel your firm's growth.
#FinancialAdvisors #Messaging #BrandStrategy #RIAMarketing
How do you know if your marketing is actually working?
Stephen Beach and Faustin Weber dive into the often-confusing world of marketing KPIs for financial advisory firms, breaking down how to measure what actually matters.
We unpack:
⏱️ Timestamps:
Whether you're establishing metrics for the first time or refining your existing KPIs, this episode offers practical frameworks for measuring what matters in your financial advisory firm's marketing efforts.
#FinancialAdvisors #MarketingMetrics #KPIs #RIAMarketing
Is starting a podcast worth your time as a financial advisor?
Stephen Beach and Faustin Weber break down the surprising ROI of podcasting as a content creation system in this practical episode.
We cover:
⏱️ Timestamps:
Whether you're considering starting a podcast or looking for ways to get more mileage from your content, this episode offers practical advice on creating an efficient content system that works for financial advisory practices.
#FinancialAdvisors #ContentMarketing #PodcastStrategy #RIAMarketing