An Evidence-Based Approach to ESG Investing: White Paper (UPDATED)  

Created: December 21, 2020

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Description: UPDATED FROM JUNE-JULY 2017: This 2,300-word piece combines our UPDATED two-part ESG investing series into a single white paper, providing an informational overview of ESG investing in the context of evidence-based investment strategies. Use this paper (or the parts, in installments) to respond to client and prospect questions about ESG investing.

An Evidence-Based Approach to ESG Investing: Part 1 (UPDATED)  

Created: December 21, 2020

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Description: UPDATED FROM JUNE-JULY 2017: This 930-word document is part 1 of a 2-part series, providing an UPDATED informational overview of ESG investing in the context of evidence-based investment strategies. Part 1 introduces a few key terms and summarizes how ESG investment priorities may vary depending on individual goals. Use this series to respond to client and prospect questions about ESG investing.

An Evidence-Based Approach to ESG Investing: Part 2 (UPDATED)  

Created: December 21, 2020

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Description: UPDATED FROM JUNE-JULY 2017: This 1,400-word document is part 2 of a 2-part series, providing an UPDATED informational overview of ESG investing in the context of evidence-based investment strategies. Part 2 explores how to quantify “doing good,” and explores the challenges and opportunities ESG investors face today. Use this series to respond to client and prospect questions about ESG investing.

Six Financial Best Practices for Year-End 2020  

Created: November 29, 2020

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Description: Share this 818-word piece with clients and prospects to offer six financial best practices for year-end 2020. This year's selection is based on some of the changes that took place in 2020, including charitable giving tax breaks, general tax-planning opportunities, altered lifestyle planning considerations, and more.

A Meaningful Message for Thanksgiving/Holiday Season (2020)  

Created: November 12, 2020

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Description: Use this 260-word message to be in touch with your clients for the U.S. Thanksgiving or the general 2020 holiday season. The message expresses gratitude for your client's business, and acknowledges the painful disruption the pandemic has brought to most families' holiday traditions.

Presidential Election Reflection (UPDATED)  

Created: November 9, 2020

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Description: UPDATED FROM OCT. 2020: This 426-word client reach-out offers three simple reminders on why it's as important as ever to disconnect your long-term investment activities from late-breaking political news. Updated on Nov. 9 for distribution post- instead of pre-election.

Quarterly Client Letter – 2020 Q3  

Created: October 1, 2020

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Description: This 558-word Q3 2020 quarterly client letter reminds clients of why it’s important to ignore distractions that might have detracted from their ability to participate in the market’s recent strong overall returns. Illustrations include chasing FAANG stocks, trying to predict presidential elections, and more.

Lump-Sum Investing vs. Dollar-Cost Averaging — Part 2: Actual Outcomes  

Created: September 28, 2020

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Description: This 650-word document is part two of a two-part series comparing lump-sum investing to dollar-cost averaging. This first part describes why lump-sum investing is generally expected to deliver higher end returns. In part two, we cover why other issues may sometimes make dollar-cost averaging the preferred strategy anyway.

Lump-Sum Investing vs. Dollar-Cost Averaging — Part 1: Raw Returns  

Created: September 21, 2020

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Description: This 610-word document is part one of a two-part series comparing lump-sum investing to dollar-cost averaging. This first part describes why lump-sum investing is generally expected to deliver higher end returns. In part two, we'll cover why other issues may sometimes make dollar-cost averaging the preferred strategy anyway.

“What Is Evidence-Based Investing?” Infographic  

Created: August 25, 2020

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Description: This "What Is Evidence-Based Investing?" infographic illustrates the key differences between evidence-based vs. traditional active investing. Display this high-resolution PDF online, or print it as a 24" x 36" poster to display in your office. This generic, unbranded version is available to Content-Sharing Library members at no added cost. Members and non-members alike also can order a custom-branded version here: https://www.wendyjcook.com/infographic-what-is-ebi/

Finding Your Fiduciary Financial Advisor (UPDATED)  

Created: August 18, 2020

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Description: UPDATED FROM FEB. 2015: This six-page, three-part special report helps investors choose a fiduciary advisor, UPDATED for recent changes under Reg BI. Part 1 describes the broad financial environment and the importance of the fiduciary relationship. Part 2 covers additional qualities to seek, and Part 3 offers tips on how to review an advisor's credentials. Pairs well with the separate, July 2020 Library piece, “What Is Fiduciary Investment Advice?”

What Is Fiduciary Investment Advice, and Why Does It Matter?  

Created: July 31, 2020

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Description: Fully independent, fee-only RIA firms can share this 1,500-word report with clients and prospective clients to differentiate comprehensive fiduciary client relationships, vs. "incidental" investment recommendations under Regulation Best Interest (as of June 30, 2020). Pairs well with the separate, August 2020 Library piece, “Finding Your Fiduciary Financial Advisor.”

Quarterly Client Letter – 2020 Q2  

Created: July 2, 2020

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Description: This 460-word Q2 2020 quarterly client letter reminds clients of the importance of sticking to plan despite near-term market noise in 2020.

Eight “Best/Worst” Wealth Strategies During the Coronavirus   Free Sample (Click on title to download)

Created: June 28, 2020

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Description: Share this 833-word document with clients and prospects to cover eight of the most and least effective ways for they can spend their time and energy shoring up their financial well-being in the time of the coronavirus.

Understanding Sequence Risk in Retirement  

Created: June 9, 2020

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Description: Use this 1,085-word report to introduce sequence risk to clients and prospective clients, especially those in or near retirement. Describes how the sequence in which retirees earn returns early in retirement can impact their lasting wealth, provides an illustration of the same, and suggests ways to manage sequence risk when it occurs. Download includes the report itself in Word, plus an Excel spreadsheet for advisor-only reference.

How To Be Positively Skeptical | Part 4: Check the Facts Before You Act  

Created: May 17, 2020

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Description: Use this third, 898-word installment of a 4-part series to help clients and prospects strengthen their ability to differentiate solid evidence from bogus claims, especially during the coronavirus crisis. Parts 1-3 described why it's important to be positively skeptical, how our emotions interfere with our reasoning, and what should guide our due diligence. Part 4 describes some of the practical steps involved and wraps with a call to action.

How To Be Positively Skeptical | Part 3: How Do You Do Your Due Diligence?  

Created: May 17, 2020

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Description: Use this third, 673-word installment of a 4-part series to help clients and prospects strengthen their ability to differentiate solid evidence from bogus claims, especially during the coronavirus crisis. Parts 1 and 2 described why it's important to be positively skeptical, and how our emotions interfere with our reasoning. Part 3 provides five “do’s” and “don’ts” to guide our due diligence, and Part 4 will offer some of the practical steps involved.

How To Be Positively Skeptical | Part 2: Understanding Your Emotions  

Created: April 29, 2020

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Description: Use this second, 844-word installment of a 4-part series to help clients and prospects strengthen their ability to differentiate solid evidence from bogus claims, especially during the coronavirus crisis. Part 1 described why the ability to be "positively skeptical" is important. This part 2 covers how to recognize when emotions are interfering with reason (and what to do about it). Parts 3 & 4 will help readers hone in on their fact-checking skills.

Quarterly Client Letter – 2020 Q1  

Created: April 3, 2020

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Description: This 652-word Q1 2020 quarterly client letter prepares clients for putting last quarter's returns in perspective. It reviews the activities you're doing on their behalf, encourages them to be in touch if their investment resolve is wavering, and reminds them of the perils of market-timing.

A CARES Act Overview (Updated 4/3/20)  

Created: April 1, 2020

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Description: Share this 1,450-word CARES Act Overview with clients or (slightly modified) with prospects to provide an approachable but relatively substantive summary of critical content within the Act. The overview is organized by audience, such as items applicable to employees, to employers, to businesses, to students, etc. It includes a list of resources referenced, for additional insights. (UPDATED 4/3/20 to reflect SBA clarifications.)

A Coronavirus Round-Up Report  

Created: March 27, 2020

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Description: Use this 812-word overview as an additional reach-out to your clients during the coronavirus crisis (or edit for general purposes). It reviews what you, they and the markets can do at this time, and reminds them of the many ways you're supporting them at this time.

A Retirement Plan Sponsor Reach-Out  

Created: March 25, 2020

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Description: Use this 757-word piece to reach out to retirement plan sponsor clients during the coronavirus crisis. Let them know you're available as always, update them on retirement plan regulatory issues you're keeping an eye on, and summarize best financial practices for themselves and their plan participants.

Taking a New View on Coronavirus  

Created: March 13, 2020

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Description: Share this 727-word piece as another timely outreach to your clients (or for general audiences with some edits), to help them remain resolute during current COVID-19-fueled crises. The piece acknowledges the current risks being realized, while pointing out that these same risks are likely to generate important insights for seeding future expected social resilience and market growth.

Three Thoughts During Scary Markets   Free Sample (Click on title to download)

Created: March 9, 2020

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Description: As market headlines go from bad to worse, share this 685-word confidence-building reach-out with your clients (or, with modest edits, with a wider audience). Includes a review of the relationship between risk and expected reward, the significance of being prepared in advance for these kinds of downturns, and a reminder that you remain available to provide objective advice.

10 Things To Do Right Now While Markets Are Tanking (UPDATED)  

Created: February 28, 2020

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Description: UPDATED FROM MARCH 2018: Use this 1,238-word handout with clients or prospects, to remind them during the current coronavirus-generated crisis of 10 judicious actions to take during scary markets, along with 10 insightful quotes from respected subject matter experts.

How To Be Positively Skeptical | Part 1: The Benefits of Having a Doubt  

Created: February 27, 2020

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Description: Use this first, 600-word installment of a 4-part series to help clients and prospects strengthen their ability to differentiate solid evidence from bogus claims. Part 1 describes why the ability to be "positively skeptical" is important. Parts 2 - 4 will cover how to recognize when emotions are interfering with reason, and how to hone one's fact-checking skills.

You, Your Investments, and the Coronavirus (UPDATED)  

Created: February 24, 2020

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Description: UPDATED 2/24: Use this 677-word client reach-out to remind your clients why they should avoid reacting to breaking news about novel coronavirus, at least as far as their investment portfolio is concerned. With minor modifications, the piece can also be used for general/prospecting purposes.

Three Upside-Down Investment Insights  

Created: January 21, 2020

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Description: Share this 732-word piece with clients and/or prospects to cover three important, but counterintuitive investment insights: (1) market volatility is the norm, not the exception; (2) market volatility is a "frenemy" to investors; and (3) effective diversification means you'll always be holding some disappointing asset classes.

Quarterly Client Letter — 2019 Q4  

Created: January 2, 2020

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Description: Use this 540-word quarterly client letter to reflect on one- and 10-year retrospectives in the new year, including how and why to separate short-term reactions from long-term strategy.

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