Close Close
ThinkAdvisor

Practice Management > Marketing and Communications > Social Media

9 smart financial bloggers you need to know

By Jay Palter

X
Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Combining the ease of Web-based publishing with the Internet’s global access to audiences, blogs have become an important way for financial professionals to stay informed on key issues such as the economy, products, markets and strategy. A good blog is a shortcut that makes you smarter, faster.

The challenge, however, is this: The explosive growth of blogs makes it harder than ever to know where to go to get the information you need. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of nine blogs maintained by some of the smartest people in financial blogging, brand building and social media strategy. Even if you only find one that suits your interests, you’ll be way ahead.


s1. Bill Winterberg: FPPad

Bill Winterberg is a CFP that specializes in helping financial professionals integrate new technology into their practice. He started out blogging and has expanded into video and podcasts. In his weekly videocast, Bits and Bytes, Bill tackles practical questions that are on the minds of any mobile financial professional looking to leverage technology in their practice. Recent topics include how to incorporate iPhones and iPads into your practice, how secure is DropBox and how to make your website standout.

If you’re driving the tech agenda in your agency, Bill is the guy to follow.

s2. Susan Weiner: Investment Writing Blog

Susan Weiner wrote the book on financial blogging. Literally. Financial Blogging: How to Write Powerful Posts That Attract Clients is not only the title of her book, but exactly what she writes about on her blog.

A CFA by training, Susan has worked in various communications roles in the financial service industry and is an expert in how to craft compelling content for your audience. Recent posts include one on how to write clearly and avoid using jargon that your clients don’t really understand (see Quantitative Easing for the Regular Folks) or when and how to use the Q&A format most effectively (see Q&A Format for Articles: Good or Bad?).

If you’re trying to cut through the noise with your own blog writing, Susan will help inspire you to greatness.

s3. Ryan Hanley: Content Warriors

By day, he’s a mild-mannered marketer for a regional insurance agency in New York. But by night, Ryan Hanley is a content warrior helping insurance and financial professionals to master the art of content marketing.

What sets Ryan apart is his passion for social media and content marketing. Both as a blogger and a podcaster, Ryan is deeply invested in helping his audience understand the world of digital marketing and social networking. If you’re new to content marketing, I’d recommend you take a look at The Four C’s of Beginner Content Marketing.

If you want to really understand how to rock your practice using social strategies, make the Content Warfare podcast part of your weekly ritual.

d4. Stephanie Sammons: Wired Advisor

As a CFP and former financial advisor, Stephanie knows the importance of reputation and thought leadership to financial professionals. She consistently produces high quality content aimed at helping advisors understand the complexities of digital marketing (see A 7-step Process for Expanding Your Online Presence) and leverage this knowledge to grow their online influence (download her free guide How to Build Online Equity and Influence in a Wired World).

If you’re serious about building brand value online and not just chasing leads, make Stephanie part of your weekly content diet.

s5. Charles Green: The Trusted Advisor

Charles Green’s book The Trusted Advisor has become required reading in many organizations because it lays out a clear formula for how professionals should conduct themselves in order to build trust. Think of the Trust Matters blog as a little angel sitting on your shoulder coaching you in how to be trustworthy (see 8 Ways to Make People Believe What You Tell Them).

s6. Jay Baer: Convince and Convert

Jay Baer is a leading social media marketer and the bestselling author of Youtility. While Jay is not specifically a financial blogger, his content is relevant to anyone focused on engaging their audience and converting that engagement to real business results. In addition to his great blog, Jay hosts the weekly Social Pros Podcast during which he speaks with leading professionals about what works and what doesn’t. If you want to take your online marketing to the next level, Jay is your man.

s7. Anthony Iannarino: The Sales Blog

Anthony Iannarino is the salesperson’s salesman and his blog is invaluable for anyone who sells for a living. Whether he’s convincing you not to differentiate from your competitor so much (see Go Ahead, Convince Me You’re Better) or to stop dwelling on the negative (see How to Stop Awfulizing), Anthony knows what goes on inside the salesperson’s head and helps you get over yourself.

s8. Amy McIlwain: Financial Social Media

Amy is a thought leader in the financial social media space and her blog is full of practical and helpful information about how to leverage social media effectively in your practice.

s9. Kirk Lowe: Tactibrand

Kirk Lowe knows that a brand is more than just a logo, but he’ll be the first to point out that your logo and website may be preventing your audience from getting to know your brand.

While Kirk blogs on topics related to content marketing, social media and the importance of infographics, his passion is the power of effective branding (see 4 Reasons to Build Your Advisor Brand).

For more from Jay Palter, see:

How to develop your best social media strategy

How to overcome 4 real barriers to social media engagement