Carolyn McClanahan M.D., CFP® and the Intersection of Health and Finance

Keeping the train going, host Robert Sofia and Snappy Kraken CMO, Angel Gonzalez, continue to break down the State of Digital 2024. 

The largest and most comprehensive data analysis on advisor marketing…ever. 

In this episode, we discuss why advisors need to be comfortable using video in 2024, the marketing campaigns that delight and deepen relationships with clients, and the data behind text message marketing.

Is your firm leading the curve, or lagging behind? 

DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY of the 40-page report.

We Explore:

• What key industry leaders are saying about video marketing.
• How advisors can unlock the power of video to build ultimate credibility across social platforms.
• How advisors can “inspire” their clients in ways that deepen relationships.
• The unfortunate ways that lead advisors to become “one-trick-ponies” and the strategies to avoid them.
• The single word you can add to your email subject lines that doubles open rates.

This episode was brought to you by:  snappykraken.com helping advisors create meaningful connections that drive business.

Let’s jump right back in!

Snappy Kraken has just unveiled the most extensive data analysis on advisor marketing to date. 

Join host Robert Sofia and Snappy Kraken CMO, Angel Gonzalez, as they break down the 40-page report in this exciting new series.

In this episode, we chat about the top 5 performing marketing campaigns and why they work, the strategy behind email performance, and the subject lines that get the highest open rates.

Is your firm leading the curve, or lagging behind? 

Download your copy now to see how your firm measures up.

We Explore:

• Why blasting your newsletter to EVERYONE is actually hurting your business.
• The trust-building factors you need to think about when sending communications to your audience.
• A Google Trends “marketing hack” to influence content that will resonate with audiences.
• Why “clickbaity” email subject lines crush your credibility and what you can do to avoid the spam folder.
• And the one mindset shift advisors must make to build strong, meaningful relationships.

This episode was brought to you by:  snappykraken.com helping advisers create meaningful connections that drive business.

State of Digital is BACK!

Snappy Kraken has just unveiled the most extensive data analysis on advisor marketing to date. Join host Robert Sofia and Snappy Kraken CMO, Angel Gonzalez, as they break down the 40-page report in this exciting new series.

In this episode, we’ll explore the key strategies for advisors to expand their audience effectively.

Is your firm leading the curve, or lagging behind? 

Download your copy now to see how your firm measures up.

We Explore:

• The major differences between building an audience and a community.
• Which traffic sources are the best for getting eyeballs on your content.
• The 4 sure-fire ways advisors can use SEO to get better results
• And the one critical thing advisors can do right now, to see a 400% increase in opt-ins.

This episode was brought to you by:  snappykraken.com helping advisers create meaningful connections that drive business.

Branding, in a word, is a story, and personal branding is YOUR story.

It doesn't matter what the industry; you're brand is the key to differentiating yourself from everyone else.

There's no one better to help hone in on building your brand than Ramon Ray.

Ramon is an in-demand motivational speaker and event host; and a leading expert on personal branding and small business growth. 

He was even invited to the White House to speak about personal branding to the staff of the Executive Office of the President.

In the episode, we chat about branding, building credibility, and getting attention from your target market on social media.

We Explore:

• Why it’s important to build relationships before offering the sales pitch.
• How to create the perfect “One-liner” for potential leads.
• Why focusing on making your current client base “super happy” is better for your business.
• The key differences between customer service and customer experience.
• Why you shouldn’t underestimate the simple tools of email and business cards.
• And the ONE strategy to secure meaningful client interactions for your business.

Links to Check Out:

• Check out Ramon’s book - “Celebrity CEO - How Entrepreneurs Can Thrive By Building a Strong Personal Brand.”
• Ramon’s Website
• See Ramon Speak at the Jolt! Conference in Las Vegas
• Follow Ramon on Twitter
• Follow Ramon on Facebook

This episode was brought to you by:  snappykraken.com helping advisers create meaningful connections that drive business.

For the first time, we have a multi-guest appearance to deliver an organic, insight-driven discussion.

Today's episode shakes up the format a bit, but I promise it'll be full of big ideas and even BIGGER takeaways you can use in your business.

First, there's Patrice Kelly, Chief Creative Officer at Snappy Kraken.

She's been the strategic driving force behind Snappy Kraken's branding and an award-winning designer behind their marketing campaigns.

Also, welcome back, Andrew Davis. 

He's a best-selling author & keynote speaker who's built and sold a digital marketing agency, produced for NBC, and has even worked for The Muppets. 

Andrew and Patrice will share the spotlight in a conversation about the importance of design and creativity to get the RIGHT attention, how being true to yourself leads to greater success, and why design should be a part of your story from day one.

We Explore:

• Why it’s better to start with “One Big Idea” than to start small and build on it.
• How to celebrate being different without feeling uncomfortable in your industry.
• What “Where’s Waldo” teaches financial advisors about how to stand out and get noticed.
• Understanding the subconscious behavior of “Twinning” and how you can avoid it.
• And the one strategy Patrice & Andrew want you to steal that will help you overcome the hesitancy of taking risks.

Links to Check Out:

• Andrew’s Website
• Patrice’s Award-Winning Marketing Campaigns
• Ling’s Cars
• Andrew’s YouTube Channel

Branding is powerful.

It influences behavior, builds credibility, gives you or your business a unique identity that aligns with your audience's values, and ultimately grows a community of loyal, raving fans.

In this bonus episode of the Steal My Strategy Podcast, we've uncovered a discussion host Robert Sofia had with Brittney Castro during a recorded webinar.

Brittney is a Certified Financial Planner, speaker, host, and brand ambassador. 

She's worked alongside top brands like Chase, Mint, ETrade, CNBC, Gemini, AirBnB, Zoom, and more.

Together they peel back the curtain on the importance of branding, Brittney’s secrets for maintaining a unique identity, and where financial advisors can start to cement their brand into the minds of their audience.

We explore:

• The 2 things you can do RIGHT NOW to build a powerful brand
• Why consistency matters most to building a ubiquitous brand
• How to “never drop the ball” with your marketing
• The surprisingly simple ways to increase the production value of your videos
• Why “niching yourself” makes you stand out from everyone else
• The “not-so-serious” approach to social media marketing that drives more engagement

Links to Check Out:

• Brittney’s Website
• Connect with Brittney on Instagram
• Connect with Brittney on Twitter
• Robert’s book: Blend Out: From Ordinary to Irresistible: How Advisors Can Market Like the Greatest Brands in the World

This episode was brought to you by:  

Snappykraken.com, helping advisors create meaningful connections that drive business.

We bring you another special episode of Steal My Strategy, where we're republishing an episode of the Conquer Risk Podcast with permission. 

A weekly show created and hosted by our friends over at Potomac Fund Management.

The Conquer Risk Podcast is a suite of distinct shows that take an intelligent and irreverent approach to conquer financial advisors' many challenges. 

In this episode, Potomac Fund's Chief Marketing Officer, Christopher Norton, interviews Patrice Kelly, Chief Creative Officer of Snappy Kraken. 

They break down creativity, how to develop it and look outside the industry for inspiration.

The insights they shared aligned with the theme of our show and it would be a crime not to share. 

They explore:

• How "non-creatives" can flex their creative muscles. You'd be surprised how easy it can be.
• Why "turning off your brain" can help you be more creative.
• Learn the process of brainstorming that can help you find your core message.
• How to relieve yourself from the pressure of being creative.
• The surefire way to unlock a pool of endless inspiration.
• And so much more!

Links to Check Out:

• Learn more about Potomac Fund Management
• YouTube Channel
• Connect on Twitter
• Connect on LinkedIn

Today’s debate: “culture.” 

Is it a meaningless buzzword or a value-driven, transformational environment for employees?

Our guest Colin Cerniglia helps discern what separates a culture of excellence from misaligned, robotic organizations.

Colin is the Talent Acquisition Manager at Snappy Kraken.

With his passion and expertise in the sports industry, Colin is a leader in adapting strategies and coaching techniques that can be used in business.

He shares powerful stories from the Yankees that illustrate the crucial elements of excellence that can lead to trust and transformation.

We Explore:

• The same techniques the Yankees use teach us about powerful leadership and building strong teams.
• Why staying proactive in the hiring process, even during slow-downs, is beneficial for your business.
• How to set proper expectations when starting or maintaining a podcast.
• The secret behind some of Snappy Kraken’s own recruiting processes.
• Learn the hardest thing that plagues almost all businesses and how to overcome it.
• And the one strategy Colin wants you to steal that instantly aligns you with your employees.

Links to Check Out:

• Colin’s Website
• Colin’s Book: Culture of Excellence: What We Can Learn from the Yankees About Leadership.
• Colin’s YouTube Channel

This episode was brought to you by:  snappykraken.com helping advisors create meaningful connections that drive business.

As technological innovation continues to propel us into the future, it’s getting harder to stay human.

Especially when it comes to connecting with your clients and prospects.

Luckily, there’s hope thanks to the help of technology strategist and certified futurist, Crystal Washington.

Crystal works with organizations that want to leverage technology to increase profits and productivity. Working with companies including Google, Microsoft, GE, and others in the USA, Africa, and Europe.

In the episode, we chat about blending digital and real-world tactics to increase the value of your brand, simplifying the complex web of social media, and where the future of social media is headed

We Explore:

• Why “spying” on your clients and prospects can actually better your business.
• The key to mastering technology without feeling overwhelmed.
• Understanding how trends impact businesses across industries and how advisers can adapt in the long term.
• The key to showing up stronger and more often on Google and YouTube.
• Practical tips for using technology to build and maintain strong client connections without sacrificing the personal touch.
• How to use technology to influence your client pool to skyrocket referrals.
• And the one strategy Crystal wants you to steal to catapult your client relationships to raving fan status.

Links to Check Out:

• Crystal’s Website
• Connect on Twitter
• Connect on YouTube
• Crystal’s Book: One Tech Action: A Quick-and-Easy Guide to Getting Started Using Productivity Apps and Websites for Busy Professionals
• Crystal’s Second Book: The Social Media WHY: A Busy Professional's Practical Guide to Using Social Media Including LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Google+ A

This episode was brought to you by:  snappykraken.com helping advisers create meaningful connections that drive business.

No, we can’t literally read minds, but what we can do is read people to understand their emotions, desires, and needs.

It boils down to one thing, empathy.

You are making yourself vulnerable, putting yourself in their shoes, and asking the right questions.

That empathy leads to deeper connection advisers crave because your audience feels like you understand them.

As if you’re reading their mind.

Your clients and prospects are desperately looking for someone who understands them.

A good communication strategy depends heavily on how well you can connect with them. 

Here are 5 Strategies to Understand and Connect with your Target Audience Better.

Guest List FULL Episodes:

1. Adam Bensman
2. Brandon Voss
3. Steve Sims
4. Ekaterina Walter
5. Robert Sofia

This episode was brought to you by:  

snappykraken.com helping advisers create meaningful connections that drive business.