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

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:

A Referral Often Starts the Research:

Prospects are checking websites, LinkedIn profiles, reviews, and even asking AI to compare advisors before they make contact.

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.

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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