I'm on a bit of a mission to help financial advisers solve/tackle an issue that so many of us agree is a problem - that of giving the broader population access to high quality financial advice and planning at a price they can afford. This isn't just a problem, it's also a huge opportunity for advisers if they can create a business model which works. So it's heartening and exciting to see more and more advisers taking practical steps to a) solve the problem and b) embrace the opportunity. There are several ways to do this. One way is to write a book! Another is to create your own course - and I'll be sharing more ways here on LifeTalk Plus over time. So the question has to be asked if people would actually pay for a course on personal finance and/or financial planning? Yes they would, and do. Take a look at three random examples of courses around financial planning and personal finance that are being hosted on Udemy - one of around twenty courses platforms. But more importantly look at the numbers for just these three examples: 1) 141,000 students each paying between £15.99 and £59.99 (do the maths!) 2) 61,500 students each paying between £15.99 and £54.99 (ditto) 3) 57 students each paying £79.99 I'll be hosting a course on 'How to Create and Sell Your Own Course' in the not too distant future (put a "Yes" in the comments if it's something you might be interested in), but I thought I would show you one I've recently discovered from Dr Maria Nemeth. Those of you in the Life Planning space might well know or have met her. Maria has created an online course around her acclaimed book The Energy of Money and is selling it for $997. More at Signature Course - Live Coaching for Money Success (energyofmoney.com). Maria has created a fancy website just for her course and yes she's written a popular book - but neither is actually needed to create and sell your own course.

Here's how you can... Every other year we run a course for IFAs on how to write and publish your own book, and 2024 sees this year's new programme. Authoring your own book has several important benefits for financial advisers: - Establishes Authority: Visibly demonstrates expertise and knowledge in your field. - Enhances Credibility: Builds trust and credibility among prospects, clients and professional connections. - Differentiates You and Expands Your Influence: Sets you apart from other advisers. - Marketing Tool: Provides a unique marketing avenue to promote your services. - Revolutionises Your Approach to Client Engagement: Deepens relationships with clients through shared insights. - Educational Platform: Educates clients and prospects on a range of financial topics. - Legacy Building: Leaves a lasting professional legacy. - Revenue Stream: Generates an additional income through book sales. - Networking Opportunities: Opens up new networking channels through signings, speaking engagements and industry events. - Media Exposure: Increases opportunities for media appearances as an expert commentator. - Enhances Website SEO: Boosts search engine optimisation (SEO) for your website through related content and backlinks. - Client Acquisition: Attracts new clients impressed by a comprehensive display of expertise. - Personal Fulfilment: Provides a real sense of accomplishment and personal growth. - Content Source: Acts as a source for other content creation, like blogs, seminars and online courses. - Referral Tool: Serves as an effective tool for referrals when shared among clients and peers. Plus, it's the best business card you will ever give away! Here's just some of what you will learn on this year's course: - Content Development: Learn how to identify engaging topics and organise content that resonates with your audience. - Writing Skills: Learn step by step how to structure, write and edit a professional book. Simply follow the proven process. - Sustaining Reader Interest: Develop skills to maintain reader engagement throughout your book with compelling content and storytelling. - Publishing Options: Understand the differences between self-publishing and traditional publishing routes. - Marketing Strategies: Gain insights into promoting your book to maximise reach and impact. - Building a Brand: Learn how to use your book to strengthen and expand your personal and professional brand. - Networking through Authorship: Discover how to leverage authorship to forge new professional relationships and enhance existing ones. - Monetisation Techniques: Explore various ways to monetise your book beyond direct sales, including workshops, courses, and consulting. - And much more!

Out of interest, does anyone here run a completely paperless office? Thanks.

Has anyone got any meaningful information from LifeSight? Sent an LOA, and got a generic email with some links to generic information. Nothing on the actual plan or charges. And that the client can see all the information on the online portal, including transfer value and investments. Huh? (But at least it only took a week to get it 😬).