This document discusses blogging trends in the financial services industry and how blogging can benefit investors. It outlines that blogging allows companies to attract new talent, educate consumers, and strengthen existing relationships. For independent advisors, blogging increases transparency and builds niche communities. The challenges include personalizing content at large companies and avoiding sales-oriented posts. Blogging provides opportunities to build authority with high-quality content and strengthen reputations. When done right, blogging enhances information for investors, provides guidance options, increases transparency, and lowers fees through new communication channels.

1. Blogging in Financial
Services
Stephanie Sammons

2. Blogging...Helping Investors
Achieve More
• The Current Landscape
• Blogging Trends in Financial Services
• Challenges & Opportunities
• How Investors Win

3. A little background...
• 15+ years in financial services
• Founder/CEO of Wired Advisor
(http://www.wiredadvisor.com)
• http://www.stephaniesammons.com
• @stephsammons

4. The Current Landscape
4

5. Where’s the beef trust???
5

6. Greater Transparency
6

7. Strict Industry Regulations
7

8. “Social” Communications
Revolution
8

9. SMARTER Consumers!
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10. Blogging Trends in Financial
Services
10

11. 4 Financial Services Segments:
• Corporate/Enterprise
• Independent Advisors and Firms
• Individual “Investors”
• Direct to Consumer
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12. Corporate Blogging: Attract New Talent
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13. Corporate Blogging: Educate
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14. Independent financial advisors and firms
14

15. Independent financial advisors and firms
“http://www.triboomer.com”
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16. Independent financial advisors and firms
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17. Individual “Investors”
(astute investors, traders, portfolio managers,
investment professionals)
“News & Views” “Idea Network”
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18. Direct to Consumer
(some blogging element present)
“Portfolio Mirroring” “Portfolio Management”
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19. Challenges & Opportunities
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20. Challenges
• Corporate=personalize and humanize
• Independent Advisors=stop corporatizing; become
more human and more transparent (snow skiing)
• Same “Content” Different Day
• Jargon, Sales-oriented
• Regulatory Environment - no testimonials, no
specific recommendations, suitability, registrations,
3rd party content, etc.
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21. Opportunities
• Make human connection (people, personal, passion)
• Strengthen and steer reputation
• Establish authority with remarkable, relevant, and
resourceful content
• Build niche communities or “trusted networks”
• Strengthen existing relationships
• Capitalize and leverage WOM
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22. How Investors Win
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23. How Do Investors Win?
• Enhanced Information, Insights, Knowledge, Tools
• Options
• Guidance Spectrum
• Lower Fees
• Greater Transparency
AND...
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24. POWER via new media channels!
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25. How to Contact Me:
• @stephsammons
• stephanie@wiredadvisor.com