Tag Archives: Bill Cates

Ep. 113 – 3 Must-Have Reputation Strategies for Client Acquisition with Brian Thorp

Practice Management, Referrals & Introductions, Social Media, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The way people choose a financial advisor has changed. Bill Cates talks with Brian Thorp, founder of Wealthtender, about why online reviews and internet presence and credibility now play an important role in the decision to meet with you and, hopefully, work with you. They discuss what advisors can do to make sure their digital credibility supports the trust they have built offline.

Brian shares findings from a study of 500 mass-affluent Americans. One result stands out: 83 percent of people who receive an offline referral to an advisor go online to look for reviews. A trusted introduction still carries weight, but prospects want to see that trust backed up by other forms of social proof.

Here are 3 key takeaways:

  1. A Referral Often Starts the Research:
    Prospects are checking websites, LinkedIn profiles, reviews, and even asking AI to compare advisors before they make contact.
  1. Reviews Work Like Digital Referrals:
    A strong review keeps building credibility long after it is written. It can also help Google and AI tools understand who you serve and why clients value working with you.
  1. Clients Talk About How You Make Them Feel:
    Most reviews are not (and should not be) about investment performance. Clients write about confidence, peace of mind, and the difference their advisor made during an important moment in their lives.

Listen to this conversation for a practical look at online reviews, compliance concerns, search visibility, and how to make sure the trust you have built offline also shows up online.

Don’t forget to check out the show notes for free resources and get ready to turn great ideas into meaningful action!

 

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About Brian Thorp

Brian Thorp is the founder, CEO, and Editor-in-Chief of Wealthtender. He believes everyone deserves trusted help with money matters, regardless of income or stage of life.

Brian is a member of the National Society of Compliance Professionals and its SEC Marketing Rule Working Group. He has written extensively about advisor testimonials, including an article published in Currents and a testimonial marketing playbook for advisors and wealth management firms.

Under Brian’s leadership, Wealthtender became the first financial advisor review platform designed to comply with the SEC Marketing Rule. His work has been featured in major publications and on numerous podcasts, and WealthManagement.com named him one of its top 10 innovators and influencers set to change the industry in 2024.

Before founding Wealthtender, Brian spent nearly 22 years at Invesco, most recently leading financial advisor platforms and overseeing strategic partnerships with wealth management firms representing more than $100 billion in assets under management.

With more than 25 years in financial services, Brian is focused on helping more people enjoy life with less money stress.

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Ep. 112 – Referrals Aren’t Dead But Are They Enough?  A Marketing Conversation with Molly McClure

Practice Management, Referrals & Introductions, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In this episode of the Top Advisor Podcast, Bill Cates sits down with Molly McClure, Executive Director of Marketing at OnePoint BFG Wealth Partners, to look at how prospects choose a financial advisor today.

A trusted introduction may put an advisor at the top of the list, but prospects still do their homework. They check your website. They look at your LinkedIn profile. They search Google, and increasingly, they ask AI.  Yup!  For better or worse, AI is playing a huge role in this dynamic now.

Molly shares what advisors can do to strengthen that next step and make sure their marketing supports the tried and true referral process.

Here are 3 Key Takeaways:

  1. The Referral Gets You Considered:
    A warm introduction opens the door. Your online presence helps the prospect decide whether to walk through it. The referral comes with borrowed trust. Your online presence can increase that – if done properly.
  2. Your Message Has to Be Specific:
    Does your website clearly show who you help, what makes you different, and why the prospect should call you? Do your new prospects “see themselves” in how you talk about your value?
  3. Client Surveys Can Start Better Conversations:
    Client survey results can lead you to clients who are willing to refer but maybe haven’t done so… yet. This creates a natural opportunity to follow up and help them recognize who may be a good fit.

 

Listen in for a smart, practical conversation about blending referrals and marketing, with advice on creating useful content, improving search visibility, simplifying website forms, and making sure your links and follow-up systems work, so you can become the first call clients make when life gets complex.

Don’t forget to check out the show notes for free resources and get ready to turn great ideas into meaningful action!

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About Our Guest

Molly McClure is the Executive Director of Marketing at OnePoint BFG Wealth Partners, where she leads the firm’s marketing strategy and brand growth.

With nearly 20 years of experience in technology, financial services, and fintech, Molly is known for making complex ideas clear and building marketing programs that deliver real results. Before joining OnePoint BFG, she led U.S. marketing for a fintech division of Invesco and helped drive significant growth in both revenue and brand awareness.

Molly was also named the 2025 Gold Stevie Award winner for Marketing Executive of the Year. A Michigan native, she credits her early years working on her grandparents’ cherry farm with shaping her hands-on approach to leadership.

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#111 – The Ideal Week for Financial Advisors with Brian Margolis

Life Balance, Practice Management, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Are you running your week, or is your week running you?
Brian Margolis, founder of Productivity Giant explains why most advisors spend too much time reacting to emails, distractions, and day-to-day chaos, and how you can reverse that trend.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pillar System: Identify 5-7 weekly “pillars” – the most high-leverage activities that, done consistently, drive your long-term results. Success lies in consistency, even if the payoff isn’t immediately obvious.
  • Pro Time (Protected, Proactive Time): Schedule focused, undisturbed blocks in your calendar – ideally in the morning – to work on your business, not just in it.
  • Mold & Batch: Treat your Pro Time as your most important client. Mold your calendar around it, and batch similar tasks together to avoid the productivity-killing cost of context switching.
  • Plan Your Day: Don’t start your morning until it’s finished on paper. Brian Margolis shares his “four column” legal pad system to organize priority projects, tasks, and even personal to-dos.

  Quick Implementation Tips 

  • Set Recurring Pro Time: Make it a standing appointment with yourself on your calendar – before meetings or client work fills the space.
  • Try a Reverse Timer: When tackling email, set a 10–15-minute timer to process as much as you can, saving longer items for later.
  • Batch for Focus: Group similar tasks. For example, process prospecting emails together, handle admin tasks in one block, and reserve creative work for your freshest hours.

This episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you work smarter, protect your pro time, and achieve the results you want.

Don’t forget to check out the show notes for free resources and get ready to turn great ideas into meaningful action!

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About Brian Margolis

Brian Margolis is a former environmental scientist who turned entrepreneur. He is the founder of ProductivityGiant.com and author of the book The Index Card Business Plan for Sales Pros and Entrepreneurs.

Brian’s Pillar System helps sales pros and entrepreneurs create a strategy so simple, it fits on an index card…but so powerful it’s helped create 7-figure earners and has been licensed by some of the largest companies in the world to train their teams.

Brian has been a partner or consultant in multiple ventures ranging from startups to national brands. He has worked with everyone from SharkTank entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 companies. Both his accomplishments and failures span a variety of industries.

In addition to his above work, and appearances on some of the largest business and sales podcasts in the world, he is still in the trenches having done thousands of individual coaching sessions with sales pros and entrepreneurs.

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#110 – Cultivating Community and Challenging Retirement Myths with Derek Coburn

Life Balance, Practice Management, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Thrilled to have interviewed Derek Coburn on the latest episode of the Top Advisor Podcast!

Derek built and sold a thriving financial practice, created the renowned networking community Cadre, and is a bestselling author challenging the conventional views on retirement.

Whether you’re a financial advisor or a growth-minded professional, his journey and perspectives are a must-listen. Here are 3 key takeaways for you:

  1. Curated Networking Beats Cold Outreach:
    Derek found greater success – and deeper relationships – by moving away from mass networking events and instead hosting highly curated, small-group gatherings that create meaningful connections.Tired of large, impersonal networking events? Derek shares how hosting smaller, curated roundtable lunches led to deeper connections and eventually grew into Cadre, a thriving community for entrepreneurs and business leaders
  2. Redefining Retirement:
    Question the traditional model of retirement. The story of Derek’s Dad and his book Let’s Retire Retirement shows that maintaining purpose beyond 65 can not only improve well-being but also offer financial flexibility.Derek challenges traditional thinking about retirement, asking: Should we be steering clients toward a destination they may not truly want?
  3. It’s About Being Present, Not Just Planning:True wealth is about maximizing meaningful moments with family and friends throughout life—not deferring them until “someday.” Don’t underestimate the value of $50,000 moments.Check out this episode for practical ideas on building your network, challenging outdated industry advice, and living life more fully now and later!

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#107 – 3 Top Advisor Growth Strategies – Part 1 with Bill Cates, CSP, CPAE

Client Experience & Loyalty, Creating Advocates, Philanthropy, Referrals & Introductions, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Welcome to a special solo edition of the Top Advisor Podcast! In this episode, host Bill Cates pulls from decades of coaching, interviewing, and his own experience to deliver a powerful session on best practices for bringing in new clients and creating real advocates for your business.

Unlike typical interview-driven episodes, today’s focus is on actionable principles, strategies, and tactics that top advisors are using right now.

Bill dives deep into what it means to be truly referable and remarkable, i.e., “worthy of remark” – exploring the vital difference between simply keeping clients happy and elevating your relationships to the level where clients enthusiastically introduce you to others.

You’ll hear real examples from standout advisors, learn about the game-changing 3 Rs of relationship marketing, and discover how targeting the right markets, building strong personal connections, and embracing your clients’ money beliefs can transform the growth and reputation of your practice.

Packed with concrete examples, episode references, and tested tools, this solo session is your roadmap to moving from incremental to exponential growth, cultivating a culture of introductions, and becoming the advisor everyone talks about.

Tune in for inspiration, insights, and practical steps you can start using today.

3 Top Takeaways

  • Being Referable Means Going Beyond Good Service: Bill Cates emphasizes that referability is about creating deeper engagement and trust with clients. It’s not just about solid financial planning; it’s about forming value connections and personal connections that turn clients into advocates.
  • Build a Clear Target Market and Reputation: Many top advisors cited in the episode have a well-defined target market, which makes their messaging more relevant, strengthens their reputation, and leads to more introductions. As Bill Cates points out, “vague intentions produce vague results; clear intentions produce clear results.”
  • Leverage Empathy & Money Stories: Helping clients explore and reframe their beliefs about money builds lasting relationships and positions you as a trusted advisor. Bill Cates shares how unpacking “broken money stories” brings a rich value to your clients that few advisors leverage. This strategy creates advocates and unsolicited referrals.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro, just starting out, or somewhere in between, these principles, strategies, and tactics are game changers for client acquisition and building a thriving practice.

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#106 – Unlocking Profitability for You & Your Clients with Mike Michalowicz

Client Experience & Loyalty, Creating Advocates, Life Balance, Practice Management, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

“I actually call myself – lovingly – the angel of death because I was not an angel investor. Yeah, I destroyed businesses and, in the process, wiped myself out financially.”

– Mike Michalowicz

I believe that the message in Mike Michalowicz’ book, Profit First is both elegantly simple and powerful

I’ve adopted most of these strategies over the past 6 months and my business has already become more profitable, and my cash-flow management is clearer and smoother than ever before.

This interview of Mike is going to follow two parallel paths.  As a financial advisor YOU are a business owner AND you probably serve a lot of business owner clients.

This interview will give you ideas to bring more value to your clients, and at the same time help you reflect on the profitability of your own business.

Bill and Mike discuss:

  1. Profit First Mentality:
    Mike shared his personal story of financial reset, revealing how shifting your approach to “profit first” can change everything. Instead of waiting for profit at year-end, set it aside from every transaction – just like you pay yourself first in personal finance.
  2. Behavioral Hacks for Profitability:
    Discover the “small plates” strategy. Just as smaller dinner plates lead to smaller portions, breaking your income into dedicated accounts (profit, owner’s compensation, taxes, OpEx) naturally guides prudent spending.
  3. Why Most Business Owners Struggle:
    Did you know 83% of small businesses are living paycheck to paycheck? The traditional formula – sales minus expenses equals profit – actually sets most up for failure. With Profit First, sales minus profit equals expenses, forcing you to run your business sustainably.
  4. Debt & Profit:
    Think you need to pay off debt before saving profit? Think again – profit is the muscle you need to build to sustainably pay down debt over time.
  5. Owner’s Compensation vs. Profit:
    Mike Michalowicz clarified the crucial distinction: Owner’s compensation is your salary for running the business. Profit is a bonus for taking the risk. Don’t confuse or commingle these!
  6. Holistic Advising:
    Advisors, there’s a massive opportunity in linking business and personal finances for your clients. Don’t leave the business side to the accountant – address both for true financial independence.
  7. Commitment Devices: ! This is Powerful !
    Setting up systems (like hiding your profit in a different bank account) creates “commitment devices” – behavioral nudges that help you stick to your plan, just like leaving your gym shoes on the toilet lid to get moving in the morning.

Whether you’re a solo advisor, own a small business, or even part of a larger firm, Profit First adapts. The sooner you start, the greater the impact.

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#105 – Your Road Map to Ideal Clients, Ideal Business, and Ideal Life with Bill Bachrach, CSP, CPAE

Life Balance, Practice Management, Referrals & Introductions, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

“Most financial advisors work too many hours for too little money for too many of the wrong clients.”
– Bill Bachrach, CSP, CPAE
.

If you’re a financial advisor looking to grow your ideal practice, this session is a must-listen.

We unpacked the power of building high-trust relationships and how just 50 ideal clients paying $20,000 a year can transform your business and your life.

NOT LOOKING for this exact model?  Keep listening.  The principles, strategies, and tactics discussed can apply to any advisory model.

It’s all about asking great questions, truly listening, and focusing on quality over quantity.

Plus, we discuss practical strategies to transition from a busy, overwhelming practice to your dream client base. Unlock the roadmap to results and become the trusted advisor your clients deserve!

Bill C. and Bill B. Discuss:

  • Most advisors work too many hours for too little money and too many of the wrong clients. Want real change? Focus on fewer, ideal clients – quality over quantity. Build a business that funds your ideal life.
  • Trust isn’t a sales tactic. It’s the foundation. Skip the features and benefits. Ask real questions and listen deeply. Human connection still trumps everything in the financial advisory world.
  • “What’s important about money to you?” That simple question opens up a valuable conversation. Listen without rushing. Silence is powerful. Remember that sometimes people just need extra time to think before revealing what matters most.
  • Referrals aren’t automatic. Clients need to trust you at the highest level before risking their relationships for you. Consistent follow-through and genuine care make the difference. Earn that bridge.
  • AI is here, but human-to-human connection is what sets trusted advisors apart. Use technology for efficiency, but double down on listening and empathy. Be as analog and human as possible with your clients.

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Rewriting Your Money Story: How Beliefs Shape Your Wealth

Education, Finance, Leadership, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Most financial challenges aren’t math problems—they’re belief problems.

In my recent podcast conversation with Corey Mosley, we talked about money stories: the beliefs people absorb early in life that quietly shape how they save, invest, earn, and even value themselves.

Clients don’t always resist your advice because they “don’t get it.”
Often, they resist because the advice conflicts with a story they’ve carried for decades.

The same is true for advisors.
Your beliefs influence how you price, position your value, and show up in conversations.

When you help clients (and yourself) rewrite the story beneath the numbers, everything changes—clarity, confidence, and follow-through.

🎧 Listen to the conversation and explore how money stories shape financial outcomes.

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#104 – Building an 8-Figure Financial Practice with Julia Carlson

Leadership, Practice Management, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

“To grow to an 8-figure business, you have to fire yourself – let go of doing all of the things that you think you have to do as the founder, as the advisor, and really let go so you can step into this visionary leadership role that most founders want to be in.”

Julia Carlson

In this conversation, Julia Carlson shares how she grew her practice from scratch, building a dynamic team and eventually stepping into a visionary leadership role (yes, “firing herself” in the process). 

You’ll hear about her dedication to helping both retirees and entrepreneurs, her passion for holistic financial planning, and her mission to inspire 1,000 entrepreneurs to each give $1 million to causes they care about, ultimately creating a $1 billion movement for good.

Whether you’re looking for insights on scaling a business, creating meaningful differentiation, building a powerful team culture, or simply finding happiness and balance as an advisor, you’ll find Julia brings both practical strategies and a refreshingly authentic perspective. 

Bill and Julia Discuss:

  • How leaders shift from rugged self-reliance to collaborative leadership as their firm scales.
  • How her Retirement Readiness Checklist becomes a magnet for her Right-Fit Clients.
  • The power of serving both pre-retirees and business owners and how this dual focus fuels deeper relationships.
  • Why Julia chose organic growth over acquisitions and what that has meant for her firm’s culture, trust, and scalability.
  • The impact of embedding generosity into a business model and how the $1 Billion for Good movement inspires teams and clients alike.
  • Why modern advisors must blend investment + insurance + planning into one holistic approach.

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About Tessa Santarpia:    

Julia Carlson is the Founder and CEO of Financial Freedom Wealth Management Group, a nationally recognized firm ranked in the top 1% of the industry. An entrepreneur, speaker, author, and educator, Julia has become a respected thought leader on tax-efficient retirement strategies, distribution planning, and exit planning for business owners. She launched her firm at the turn of the century and has since built a reputation for exceptional client service and visionary leadership.

Julia is the author of Money Loves You and has a new book forthcoming in February 2026: Let’s Get You Fired – How Entrepreneurs Scale to 8 Figures by Letting Go and Leading with Vision. Through her coaching and guidance, she helps entrepreneurs grow beyond the hustle, build companies that thrive without their constant presence, and create a legacy of generosity. Her bold mission: help 1,000 entrepreneurs scale to 8 figures and give $1 million each to causes they care about—fueling a $1 billion movement for good.

A frequent voice in the media, Julia has been interviewed by Barron’s, Forbes, Financial Advisor Magazine, MSN, Reuters, InvestmentNews, USA Today, Yahoo! Finance, and Nasdaq. She has been named an InvestmentNews Women to Watch honoree, and a multi-year Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisor.

She works from the firm’s office in the beautiful coastal community of Newport, Oregon, where she lives with her husband and their three children.

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#100 – From Top Advisor to Industry Leader: Derrick Kinney’s Secrets for Making Competitors Irrelevant and Attracting Clients

Client Experience & Loyalty, COI's, communicating your value, Creating Advocates, Generational Wealth, Leadership, Life Balance, Marketing, Philanthropy, Practice Management, Prospecting, Referrals & Introductions, Social Media, Target Marketing, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Standing out as a financial advisor requires more than credentials; it’s about clarity, connection, and purpose.

How do you move from being “just another advisor” to someone clients instantly trust and want to work with? How do you stop competing on titles and start owning the problems your clients care about most?

In this special 100th episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews Derrick Kinney, bestselling author of Good Money Revolution and former top-ranked advisor, about the mindset and strategies that helped him scale his practice to the top 1% before transitioning into coaching advisors. Derrick explains how clarity of purpose, the right words, and emotional connection can transform an advisor’s business and make competitors irrelevant.

Derrick discusses: 

  • Why he sold his successful advisory practice to pursue writing, coaching, and media work
  • The biggest mistake advisors make when introducing themselves and how to “own a problem” instead of relying on credentials
  • How asking the right questions and not solving problems too quickly keeps prospects engaged and builds trust
  • The importance of narrowing your focus, presenting yourself as a specialist, and connecting with clients’ pain points
  • How visibility in media and storytelling can make competitors irrelevant and attract ideal clients
  • …And more!

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About Derrick Kinney:

Derrick Kinney is widely considered one of the most engaging and down-to-earth money and business experts in the country. He built one of America’s top financial firms and helped countless clients become millionaires. Then, he sold it to give everyone access to his Middle-Class to Millionaire Playbook. As America’s Financial Educator, he’s a sought-after guest on top podcasts and a go-to expert on FOX, CNN, CNBC, and Yahoo Finance. He’s also the Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of Good Money Revolution.

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