📸 No Photos, Please

Things were getting a little too crowded in the Japanese town of Fujikawaguchiko. Tourists flock to the location to snap a picture of the majestic Mt. Fuji.

Residents got fed up with the overcrowding. The town spent 1.3 million yen on a giant black mesh screen, installed to prevent tourists from taking photos.

However, the day after the screen was installed, a camera lens-sized hole was discovered. Upon a closer look, 10 more holes were found.

Residents say the screen has cut down on tourism in the area, although visitors are finding a way to photograph the mountain regardless.

Now, that's what we call taking ad-vantage.

- Team Advisorist

In Today’s Issue 👇

• Tips to increase confidence around tough topics

• 10 words you don't want on your LinkedIn profile

• Today's top headlines

🔑 Confidence is Key

When it comes to complex topics, taxes and estate planning are at the top of the list. 

Many advisors clam up when it's time to explain these concepts to clients, and the proof is in the data.

👉 According to recent advisor confidence surveys, just 13% of respondents felt very confident about their knowledge of tax planning strategies. 

Only 5% felt very confident around estate planning strategies.

However, when a visual aid, like a chart or a graph, is used in explaining these tough concepts, confidence improves drastically. 

💡 The survey also revealed that 78% of respondents felt more comfortable talking about tax planning after the concepts were explained in a webinar with visuals.

Advisors also report a significant jump in confidence covering complex topics after using visual aids, compared to their baseline confidence levels without.

How can you best incorporate visuals into your practice? Here are some pro tips:

✅ Have a purpose. Whether you're searching for the perfect visual aid or creating your own, start with your end goal in mind. Hone in on what you need to communicate and choose a visual that will best get your point across.

✅ Pick your weapon. From charts and graphs to animated explainer videos, visual aids come in many flavors. Let the topic at hand and your audience demographics determine which format fits best. 

For example, you might use a graph to show trends over time and a video for storytelling.

✅ Keep it simple. Whichever visual you choose, make sure it's clear and easy to understand. Avoid busy colors and fonts, as they can be distracting. Make sure everything is aligned properly for the most visual appeal.

✅ Testing 1,2,3. Before your presentation, do a test run with colleagues, friends or family. Get their opinions on how easy or difficult it was to understand your topic from an audience perspective. 

Incorporating their feedback before the real deal helps you avoid snafus when it's game time.

Headline Roundup

🏠 Affecting Your Clients

• Even High-income Americans are Shopping More at Discount Retailers [CNN]

• US House Sellers are Cutting Prices for the First Time in Over a Year [FOX]

• The Average 401(k) Savings Rate Recently Hit a Record [CNBC]

📈 Markets & Economy 

• NYSE Technical Trading Glitch Hits Berkshire Hathaway, Others [FOX]

• GameStop Stock Could Surge Again if ‘Roaring Kitty’ Returns to YouTube [MW]

• Emerging-Market Assets Gain as Traders Digest Key Elections [Y!]

💼 Industry Roundup 

• FINRA's New Home Office Rules Causing Headaches for BDs [TA]

• Musk, Morgan Stanley ‘Hid’ Twitter Stock Buying, Suit Says [AH]

• Financial Planners Continue to Prefer ETFs in Client Portfolios [INN]

💻 LinkedIn Lingo

We've all been in meetings where people overuse the same, played-out corporate buzzwords.

Yes, Karen. We'll circle back with you as soon as we get buy-in from our key stakeholders. 🙃

Did you know that including certain buzzwords on your LinkedIn profile can have the same ick factor? 

👉 According to LinkedIn, members on the platform overuse these 10 words the most:

1. Specialized

2. Experienced

3. Leadership

4. Skilled

5. Passionate

6. Expert

7. Motivated

8. Creative

9. Strategic

10. Successful

🤔 Why should you stay away from buzzwords? One big reason is that they read like filler words. 

They could send a signal that you didn't put too much time or thought into creating a solid profile.

We also hide behind buzzwords because they feel safe and familiar. They're perfect for those who might not have the confidence to toot their own horn.

👉 To draw in ideal clients and key connections, you want your profile to stand out. It's a slam-dunk opportunity to make a great first impression. 

Not sure how to craft a buzzword-free calling card? Use these three top tips:

🎯 Be direct. Avoid describing yourself in the third person. Speak in "I statements" instead. Write in an assertive, yet professional tone when talking about your achievements.

👐 Show instead of tell. When possible, include examples of projects, webinars, or presentations that show off your skills. These visuals are unique to you and often say more about who you are than words could describe.

🗣️ Use simple but engaging language. When drafting your profile, take the perspective that you're talking to a friend. Explain your previous roles and current accomplishments in clear, everyday language.

🎯 The Best Niche for a 7-Figure Practice?

According to the latest study of wealthy physicians, doctors and dentists have at least $2M in investable assets (and usually significantly more). 

• 50% have a net worth of $5M–$10M

• 30% have a net worth between $10M-$20M

• 15% have a net worth of $20M+

These physicians say they need more help with estate planning, exit planning, retirement planning, and asset protection.

In other words, they have millions and they’re looking for help.

Now, what if you had a system for getting in front of 20 to 22 wealthy physicians at least once every couple of months – knowing that you could close 5 or 6 of them for a $250k payday? 

That’s precisely what John M. (CFP, CLU, CSC) has been doing for the past decade.

Earlier this year, he taught a small cohort of ambitious advisors how to implement his system for getting in front of wealthy physicians – including doctors and dentists – so that they can repeat his success.

Several of the advisors who have followed his strategy are crushing it.

And now, John wants to show more advisors how to replicate their results in a brand new masterclass happening tomorrow @ 3PM EST / 12PM PST.

During this training, John will share:

• The 6-figure technique that pays for 100% of your future assistant’s salary…allowing you to take more time off AND earn more

• The ‘Financial Surgery Technique’ that even most seasoned advisors miss

• The Double Dip Strategy that builds a massive waitlist and puts YOU in high demand

• How to save clients $13,338 per year and position yourself as the hero

👉️ Click to save your seat!

🤖 Tech Tip

Did you know you can change your LinkedIn URL? 

Creating a custom one makes your profile easier to find on Google. Instead of the randomly generated URL, you can switch it to something that's closer to your name.

👇Here's how:

• Click the Me icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage.

• Click View profile.

• Click Edit public profile & URL on the right side.

• Under Edit your custom URL on the right, click the Edit icon next to your public profile URL.

• Type the last part of your new custom URL in the text box.

NOTE: this is best done from a laptop or a desktop

✌️Good Vibes

In East Boston, police received a 911 call from a citizen requesting a wellness check. However, this wasn't your average request.

The concerned caller wasn't worried about any health issues or danger. 

They simply wanted a 25-year old man with special needs to receive some proper birthday wishes, as he had no one to celebrate with.

Two officers arrived at the man's house with muffins and candles in tow. Once inside, they joined in singing "Happy Birthday," making the day most memorable.

The man hugged the officers and told them their visit was more than he could have ever asked for.

When community members look out for each other, it sure is a beautiful thing. 😌🎂

Sharing looks good on you.

When you copy that link at the bottom and share it with a few financial planning colleagues, you look like the smartest advisor in the room by keeping them informed.

Plus, you earn rewards. Sweet.