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Quarterly Client Letter – 2024 Q1  

Created: April 1, 2024

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Description: Reflections on strong Q1 markets, and the importance of avoiding stock-picking and market-timing in hot and cold markets; also includes an homage to the late Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman.

Quarterly Client Letter – 2023 Q4  

Created: January 1, 2024

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Description: Commentary on the strong 2023 annual returns nobody saw coming, along with timeless advice for informing 2024 investment decisions.

A Meaningful Message for Thanksgiving/Holidays (2023)  

Created: November 3, 2023

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Description: Use this short message to be in touch with your clients for the U.S. Thanksgiving or the general 2023 holiday season. This piece shares an upbeat message on the value of year-end reflections.

Quarterly Client Letter – 2023 Q3  

Created: October 1, 2023

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Description: Reflections on a mixed-bag quarter and how to remain focused on long-term outcomes and personal financial goals instead of reacting to the latest undependable forecasts.

Quarterly Client Letter – 2023 Q2  

Created: July 3, 2023

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Description: This quarterly letter celebrates strong quarterly and YTD returns, while encouraging clients to stick with their long-term investment strategy across strong and weak markets. It also includes an homage to the recently passed Nobel laureate Professor Harry Markowitz.

Is the Debt Ceiling Bringing You Down?  

Created: May 10, 2023

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Description: A client reach-out to reinforce the importance of sticking with a personalized, globally diversified portfolio, regardless of how the debt ceiling crisis plays out.

Quarterly Client Letter – 2023 Q1  

Created: April 2, 2023

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Description: This quarterly letter reflects on the impact of inflation, interest rate, and banking news in the quarter past, and how, if you’d missed the events in real time, you may not even have known they’d happened. Invest instead according to your investment strategy and individual goals.

Bank Run News  

Created: March 13, 2023

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Description: A client reach-out to comment on current bank runs, beginning with Silicon Valley Bank.

Quarterly Client Letter – 2022 Q4  

Created: January 4, 2023

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Description: This quarterly and year-end client letter looks back on negative returns in 2022, and cautions clients against letting potential pessimism alter their asset allocation decisions. You never know what the near-term future holds, so long-term planning remains advised.

A Meaningful Message for Thanksgiving/Holidays (2022)  

Created: November 2, 2022

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Description: Use this short message to be in touch with your clients for the U.S. Thanksgiving or the general 2022 holiday season. The message shares gratitude and reflects on spreading gratitude on to others.

Quarterly Client Letter – 2022 Q3  

Created: October 3, 2022

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Description: This quarterly client letter reflects on having entered bear market territory, and why it still makes sense to remain invested in a globally diversified portfolio that reflects each investor's personal financial goals. It references both current commentary as well as historical insights.

Quarterly Client Letter – 2022 Q2  

Created: July 4, 2022

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Description: This quarterly client letter touches on a series of disorienting conditions in current markets, such as the fact that stocks and bonds are down simultaneously, and reinforces sticking with one's long-term, globally diversified portfolio, including a value tilt when appropriate.

Investing in I Bonds  

Created: May 4, 2022

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Description: An overview of what I Bonds are, why currently high interest rates might make them an appealing place to store cash reserves and/or emergency funds, caveats to consider, and how you can help clients incorporate them into their greater investment portfolio.

Quarterly Client Letter – 2022 Q1   Free Sample (Click on title to download)

Created: April 4, 2022

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Description: This quarterly client letter explores the essentials of investment planning amidst current market volatility, aggravated by inflation, interest rates, and economic concerns. It optionally points to the recently completed three-part report on the same.

Ukraine  

Created: February 24, 2022

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Description: A timely client reach-out with timeless reminders to guide investing during the current Russian/Ukraine crisis.

Fighter Planes and Market Turmoil  

Created: January 26, 2022

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Description: Use this client reach-out to quell nervous reactions to current market volatility and encourage clients to stick with their existing investment plans.

Quarterly Client Letter – 2021 Q4  

Created: January 3, 2022

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Description: This quarterly client letter explores recent and future market returns in the context of investors' personal financial goals--considering the "parts" and the "whole."

A Meaningful Message for Thanksgiving/Holidays (2021)  

Created: October 26, 2021

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Description: Use this short message to be in touch with your clients for the U.S. Thanksgiving or the general 2021 holiday season. The message shares gratitude and reflects on enjoying the meaning already within one another's lives.

Quarterly Client Letter – 2021 Q3  

Created: October 4, 2021

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Description: This Q3 2021 quarterly client letter puts recent market highs and lows in the context of more enduring news and views.

Quarterly Client Letter – 2021 Q2  

Created: July 1, 2021

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Description: This 491-word Q2 2021 quarterly client letter compares recent speculative ventures like FINRA-fined Robinhood’s IPO filing, with the 50th anniversary of index investing.

Three Advisor Firm Fact Sheet Cover Letter Templates  

Created: May 26, 2021

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Description: These three cover letter templates complement our Advisor Firm Fact Sheet (found at https://www.wendyjcook.com/advisor-firm-fact-sheet/), and are available at no added cost to any advisor who purchases this product. Use them to share your custom-branded fact sheet with prospects, clients, and centers of influence (such as attorneys or CPAs). Content-Sharing Library members also can download and adopt these cover letters for use with any firm brochure or fact sheet they’ve created.

Quarterly Client Letter – 2021 Q1  

Created: April 1, 2021

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Description: This 416-word Q1 2021 quarterly client letter reminds clients why it's just as important to ignore hot hands as cold fears in ever-changeable markets.

Understanding The 2021 Recovery Rebate Stimulus Payments  

Created: March 12, 2021

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Description: An 864-word overview summarizing how the newly passed American Recovery Act of 2021 Recovery Rebate Stimulus Payments work: Who will receive them, how much they can expect to receive (if anything), and the three ways they may qualify for full or partial payments based on their 2019, 2020, and/or 2021 AGI.

Quarterly Client Letter – 2020 Q4  

Created: January 4, 2021

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Description: This 487-word Q4 2020 quarterly client letter reviews the wild ride 2020 delivered and why it’s important to stay the course through both bear and bull markets. It lists the ways you’ll be helping them do that, in the context of current financial and political news.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

You, Your Retirement, and the SECURE Act – CLIENT Audience  

Created: December 24, 2019

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Description: Use this 1,300-word document to provide CLIENTS with an overview of what to expect from the newly enacted U.S. SECURE Act -- emphasizing how you will be assisting them in applying the changes according to their best interests. Refer to separate piece revised for GENERAL AUDIENCE use.

A Meaningful Message for Thanksgiving/Holiday Season (2019)  

Created: November 6, 2019

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Description: Use this 323-word message to be in touch with your clients for the U.S. Thanksgiving or the general 2019 holiday season, thanking them for their business and wishing them "joie de vivre." The message also includes language for making an optional gift along with the letter, for all or some of your client relationships.

Quarterly Client Letter — 2019 Q3  

Created: October 2, 2019

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Description: Use this 442-word quarterly client letter to remind clients to stay the course amidst breaking global news. It explores how reflexes in your brain can play tricks on your financial resolve.

A Timely Reminder on the Perils of Market Timing  

Created: August 25, 2019

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Description: A 735-word client reach-out about the prospect that a trade war with China could lead to a recession. The piece covers four reasons why trying to engage in market-timing in reaction to the unfolding news remains as ill-advised as ever.

Quarterly Client Letter — 2019 Q2  

Created: July 2, 2019

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Description: Use this 632-word quarterly client letter for Q2 2019 to describe Daniel Kahneman's research into decision-making "noise," and how it can be employed for improved investing.

Quarterly Client Letter — 2019 Q1  

Created: April 1, 2019

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Description: This 520-word quarterly client letter reflects on the differences between breaking news and timeless investment tenets, noting in particular the contrast between Q1 performance and recent volatile returns just prior.

A Client Referral Reach-Out  

Created: March 7, 2019

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Description: Use this 260-word piece to reach out to clients in an email or postal mailing, reminding them that you warmly welcome their referrals whenever they know of someone who may benefit from a conversation with you or your firm.

An Homage to John “Jack” Bogle  

Created: January 17, 2019

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Description: Use this 340-word note to reach out to clients to celebrate Jack Bogle's life and remind them that you're here to help them pursue their own best pursuits in similar fashion.

Quarterly Client Letter — 2018 Q4  

Created: January 2, 2019

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Description: This 515-word quarterly client letter offers two talking points on how to consider current market conditions in the context of long-term market performance. "Average" returns aren't the norm, and recency bias is a risk.

2018 Year-End Market Volatility Client Reach-Out  

Created: December 6, 2018

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Description: Use this 2018 year-end client reach-out to help clients ride out current market volatility. The document contains two versions: (1) a 580-word extended reach-out that includes references to Hans Rosling's new book "Factfulness," and (2) an abbreviated, 330-word reach-out that omits the reference to Rosling's book.

A Meaningful Message for Thanksgiving/Holiday Season (2018)  

Created: November 11, 2018

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Description: Use this 280-word message to be in touch with your clients for the U.S. Thanksgiving or the general 2018 holiday season, thanking them for their business and wishing them all the best with a warm and thoughtful reach-out.

Global Diversification: The Antacid for Market Turbulence  

Created: October 10, 2018

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Description: A timely 600-word client reach-out to reflect on the October 10, 2018 U.S. stock market tumble. Emphasizing the continued importance of remaining globally diversified according to one's goals and risk tolerances, the message also reminds them of your role as their fiduciary advisor. Ideal for a client email, the piece can also be modified for more general purposes.

Quarterly Client Letter — 2018 Q3  

Created: October 1, 2018

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Description: This 530-word quarterly client letter offers three reasons investors should avoid the temptation to engage in market-timing by abandoning their existing plans and investments out of concern that the market may be "overpriced" and headed for a fall.

Quarterly Client Letter — 2018 Q2  

Created: July 3, 2018

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Description: This 400-word quarterly client letter reflects on the mixed bag of scary and enticing market news from the quarter, encouraging clients to stay on course with their well-built portfolio to maintain the highest odds of achieving their personal goals.

New Client Welcome Letter/Email and Fact Sheet  

Created: May 8, 2018

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Description: Customize these templates -- a brief letter/email and fact sheet -- to welcome new clients to your firm, remind them of their next scheduled meeting with you, and provide key contact information.

Quarterly Client Letter — 2018 Q1  

Created: April 2, 2018

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Description: This 500-word quarterly client letter reflects on the recent uptick in market volatility, encouraging clients to be in touch with you if they need a "pep talk," a shift in their investment plans, or both.

The Current Market Decline in Context  

Created: February 5, 2018

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Description: This 430-word message is optimized for reaching out to your clients about the current market decline. It encourages them to stay the course according to their personal plans (unless their own goals have changed). It also reflects on how market drops are normal, and how popular headlines are often designed to grab attention rather than inform readers. The message can be modified to share with prospective clients or for other purposes.

Cover Intro for Dimensional 2017 Market Review  

Created: January 9, 2018

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Description: This 500-word summary provides an introduction you can use to share Dimensional's 2017 Advisor Byline Market Review. You can use it to be in touch with your clients or as a prospecting piece for those interested in evidence-based investing.

Quarterly Client Letter — 2017 Q4  

Created: January 1, 2018

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Description: This 425-word, fourth quarter client letter reminds clients of the importance of adhering to their Investment Policy Statement using disciplined rebalancing in the context of strong 2017 market returns.

Year-End Reflections on the New U.S. Tax Law  

Created: December 21, 2017

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Description: Use this 550-word client message to reach out to clients about the U.S. tax law changes, to remind them you're available to assist and to suggest potentially advantageous actions they could take before year-end -- such as increasing charitable contributions or shifting taxable income into 2018.

A Meaningful Message for Thanksgiving (2017)  

Created: November 9, 2017

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Description: This 500-word client letter reflects on the true meaning of happiness as you wish your clients a Happy Thanksgiving. Global advisors can modify the letter to use as a general season's greeting to clients.

Quarterly Client Letter — 2017 Q3  

Created: October 1, 2017

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Description: This 330-word, third quarter client letter reminds clients why an evidence-based investment approach remains in their best interests, using an illustration from a Russell quarterly report based on less-dependable advice.

Equifax Breach Commentary  

Created: September 18, 2017

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Description: Use this 785-word client communication to comment on the recently announced Equifax security breach, offer guidance, and remind them of the timeless "Avoiding Financial Scams and Identity Theft Slams" materials you can share with them (also available in the Content-Sharing Library, under Technology). You may also wish to modify this piece to share with additional audiences.

Hurricane Harvey Texan Client Reach-Out  

Created: August 28, 2017

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Description: A 284-word client reach-out for advisors based in Texas, to be in touch with clients about the effects of Hurricane Harvey. (A version for advisors NOT based in Texas also is available as a separate download.)

Hurricane Harvey General Client Reach-Out  

Created: August 28, 2017

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Description: A 238-word client reach-out for advisors NOT based in Texas, to be in touch with clients about the effects of Hurricane Harvey. (A Texan advisor version also is available as a separate download.)

Quarterly Client Letter – 2017 Q2  

Created: July 4, 2017

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Description: This 440-word, second quarter client letter reminds clients to avoid market-timing and focus instead on asset allocation and rebalancing -- in good markets and bad.

Misperceptions About Market Corrections: Are You Prepared?  

Created: June 4, 2017

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Description: This 750-word document can be used in letter, email, article or video script format to help clients and prospects prepare for any future market corrections following the current long stint of relative calm. It encourages readers to ensure their portfolio meets their long-term goals and risk tolerances. Choose from two calls to action at the end, depending on whether you're sharing it with clients or prospects.

Client Reach-Out on Microsoft Ransomware Alert  

Created: May 15, 2017

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Description: Use this 245-word email to reach out to clients and alert them to the current global Microsoft ransomware outbreak. The alert encourages them to install any outstanding Microsoft patches on their devices if they've not yet done so. It also references the new materials on financial fraud and identity theft just added to the Content-Sharing Library. These offer you additional ways to add value to your clients' financial well-being.

Quarterly Client Letter – 2017 Q1  

Created: April 4, 2017

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Description: This 525-word, first-quarter client letter summarizes some of the noteworthy market and economic events in Q1 2017 and puts them into the usual "stay the course" context.

Cover Intro for Dimensional 2016 Market Review  

Created: January 12, 2017

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Description: This 450-word summary provides an introduction you can use to share Dimensional's 2016 Advisor Byline Market & Economic Review. It's primarily for being in touch with your clients, although it can be modified to serve as a prospecting piece as well.

Quarterly Client Letter – 2016 Q4  

Created: January 3, 2017

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Description: This 425-word, fourth quarter (year-end) client letter acknowledges that 2017 remains an unknown and reminds investors of the durability of what really drives market returns -- which is global human enterprise.

Canadian Tax-Loss Harvesting: Opportunities and Obstacles  

Created: December 20, 2016

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Description: Modified for Canadian use, this 800-word handout can be used to inform clients about what tax-loss harvesting is, how it can be used (as well as when it may not be appropriate), and how it serves as another way you, as their adviser, seek to add value to their investing. With minor edits, it could also be used as a piece to share with prospective clients. (We published U.S. and Anglicised versions of this piece in October 2017).

Client Cover Letter for Sharing Dimensional Materials  

Created: December 7, 2016

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Description: This 260-word (single page) cover letter can be used to share one or more recent resources Dimensional Fund Advisors has made available to advisors who are approved to use their fund line-up. Use this letter to remind CLIENTS of the value that Dimensional funds can add to their evidence-based investing. It references Dimensional's WSJ reprint "The Active-Passive Powerhouse," a Pensions & Investments reprint, "Dissecting Dimensional," and Dimensional's book, "35 Quotations." (The Content-Sharing Library also contains a separate letter for sharing these same materials with PROSPECTS.)

A Meaningful Message for Thanksgiving (2016)  

Created: November 15, 2016

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Description: This 350-word client letter thanks your clients for their relationship with you and encourages them to celebrate their other life relationships during the upcoming U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. Global advisors can modify the letter to use as a general season's greeting to clients.

Post-Election Reflections: The Morning After  

Created: November 9, 2016

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Description: This 470-word client letter is a slightly updated and modified version of the client letter posted yesterday (Nov. 8), now that the U.S. presidential election results are known. Either version can be used to contact clients about the unexpected outcome, encourage them to remain on course with their investment strategy and be in touch with you if they have questions.

Post-Election Reflections  

Created: November 8, 2016

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Description: This 440-word client letter can be used on Nov. 8 as U.S. presidential election results are announced, or within the next few days following the election. Use it to remind clients you are available to help them stay the course with their carefully constructed investment strategy ... or to assist them in making updates if warranted.

Tax-Loss Harvesting: Opportunities and Obstacles  

Created: October 24, 2016

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Description: This 800-word handout can be used to inform clients about what tax-loss harvesting is, how it can be used (as well as when it may not be appropriate), and how it serves as another way you, as their adviser, seek to add value to their investing. With minor edits, it could also be used as a piece to share with prospective clients.

Quarterly Client Letter – 2016 Q3  

Created: October 4, 2016

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Description: This 480-word, third quarter client letter reflects on a relatively quiet summer, celebrates some recent market milestones and reminds clients that, despite continued domestic and global uncertainties, the best approach is the long-term, evidence-based strategy.

Intro for “Reflections on Real Estate Investing” Report  

Created: July 19, 2016

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Description: For advisers who are receiving timely queries about the current (July 2016) sell-off of U.K. Open Ended Property funds, this 200-word cover letter can be used to share the separate "Reflections on Real Estate Investing" report. The report can be used along with this intro, or it can serve as a general, stand-alone piece on real estate investing.

Quarterly Client Letter – 2016 Q2  

Created: July 4, 2016

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Description: This 360-word, second quarter client letter reminds clients that the markets' responses in the aftermath of the Brexit referendum illustrate the inherent uncertainty involved in maintaining a disciplined, globally diversified portfolio designed to manage risks and capture expected market returns.

Brexit Vote and Market Outcomes  

Created: June 24, 2016

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Description: This 680-word piece can be used to reach out to your clients to remind them that you are there for them and to encourage them to stay the course during the days ahead. With minor modifications, it could be used for a general e-blast, video script or similar content for wider audiences.

On Investing and Entertainment: John Oliver’s Take  

Created: June 21, 2016

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Description: This 435-word client letter can be used to share John Oliver's recent "Last Week Tonight" popular HBO segment on retirement investing. It summarizes Oliver's key messages and encourages your clients to share the video with others who may find the message appealing -- along with a referral to your firm.

You, the Capital Markets and Your Brexit Fears (Anglicised)  

Created: June 15, 2016

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Description: For advisors to reach out to clients who are contemplating abandoning their investment plan in the face of Brexit-generated market volatility, this 500-piece letter reiterates the timeless, evidence-based reasons it's important to avoid reacting to breaking news. Assuming the letter is most appropriate for UK audiences, it is edited for Anglicised references and spellings.

DOL Fiduciary Ruling Client Reach-Out  

Created: April 10, 2016

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Description: A 525-word client reach-out on the DOL's new fiduciary rule, reflecting on its strengths and weaknesses, inviting them to contact you with any questions, and reinforcing the true fiduciary care you've been providing all along.

April Q1 2016 Client Letter (Guess the Media Source)  

Created: April 1, 2016

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Description: This 445-word, first quarter client letter reinforces the importance of staying invested according to plan. It juxtaposes distracting headlines from the popular press with timeless advice from solid sources such as WSJ's Jason Zweig as well as your own evidence-based investment advice. It also reminds clients that you are there to serve their highest financial interests (in case they've been seeing the news about the DOL's impending fiduciary regulations).

Cover Intro for Dimensional 2015 Year in Review  

Created: January 21, 2016

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Description: This 540-word summary provides an introduction you can use to share Dimensional's 2015 Advisor Byline Market & Economic Review. The introduction is a little longer than in most years, given the current market climate. It's primarily for being in touch with your clients, although it can be modified to serve as a prospecting piece as well.

Additional China-Oil Response  

Created: January 17, 2016

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Description: As the market continues to remain in a state of flux, you may want to send another reach-out to your clients (or an initial one if you've not yet been in touch), reminding them that the best course through volatile markets is an evidence-based course. This 380-word message will help you do that.

Client New Year Greeting-China/Oil Response  

Created: January 7, 2016

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Description: Happy New Year! Here is a short, 350-word message you can use to reach out to your clients in light of the market volatility we're experiencing in the opening days of 2016.

January Q4 2015 Client Letter (Peek-a-Boo Markets)  

Created: January 4, 2016

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Description: This 420-word year-end client letter observes that 2015 markets were like a game of peek-a-boo with respect to global returns. It reminds clients how "recency" can trick them into making the wrong moves at the wrong time, and why it's important to stay invested in their personalized, evidence-based, globally diversified portfolio.

Giving Thoughts  

Created: December 18, 2015

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Description: Use this 575-word letter or e-mail to send to your clients to thank them for their business, wish them a Happy New Year and share some uplifting information about increased global philanthropy. The piece also reminds them to consider the big picture for both giving and investing,

Reflections on Paris  

Created: November 17, 2015

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Description: A short (330-word) message to clients offering them thoughtful reflections on your advisor relationship with them in the wake of the Nov. 13 attacks on Paris. For example: "We aim to do all that we can – even if it may never be everything – to nurture what is good and true in our lives." This also can be used as a Thanksgiving or holiday reach-out, or as video script.

A Meaningful Message for Thanksgiving-2015  

Created: November 7, 2015

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Description: A 400-word message to send to clients as a Thanksgiving greeting (mail or e-mail), sharing some lighthearted "turkey talk" and expressing gratitude for their business. Each of the Library's annual Thanksgiving messages are timeless, so if you've not yet used messages from years' past, you can choose your favorite among them to send to clients. (Filter by the Holiday category to find them all at https://www.wendyjcook.com/documents/category/holiday/)

Advice That Adds Up During Down Markets  

Created: October 14, 2015

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Description: Here is a 700-word piece you can use to remain in touch with clients who may still be nervous after receiving their third-quarter report during the current down market. It encourages them to stay the course with their carefully planned portfolio, already designed to endure market risks. It reminds them why this is your advice, and how an objective third-party can help them overcome their instinctive reactions to down markets. Use as follow up to your clients' third quarter reports or to reach out to clients or prospects in general. It could also serve as good narrative for a video.

October Q3 2015 Client Letter (Google Hits vs. Long-Term Investing)  

Created: October 3, 2015

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Description: This 470-word article looks at how popular Google results, similar to other forms of headline news, may distract investors from their long-term strategy. It provides salient recent quotes on the importance of remaining disciplined during market uncertainty.

Client Reach-Out About Bad Market News  

Created: August 22, 2015

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Description: You can use this brief, 450-word piece to reach out to clients and prospects in an e-mail or mail distribution, or it could serve as language for a short video. Created for the August 2015 market decline, but applicable with minor edits to any "bad news" market conditions. The piece reminds clients that it is your role as their advisor to put bad market news in context, that this is exactly what realized market risk looks like, and that they should stick to their existing Investment Policy Statement to reap the market's long-term expected rewards.

July Q2 2015 Client Letter (What We Know Now)  

Created: July 3, 2015

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Description: This 400-word letter reminds clients that current market conditions fueled by the Greek debt crisis are an illustration of how and why (1) market risk contributes to future expected returns, and (2) they are probably already best prepared to ride out the risks with their existing, globally diversified portfolio. Use this letter with your quarterly client reports to share a timely message with your clients.

April Q1 2015 Client Letter (Relevant/Fiduciary Advice)  

Created: April 2, 2015

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Description: This 350-word client letter addresses the timeless relevance of robust advice versus secondary and/or "robo" advice. It describes how the advice you offer complements evidence-based investing and best serves adviser and investor alike. Two versions of the letter are bundled into this downloadable zip file: The US version uses the term, "fiduciary." A global version references transparent, objective advice.

Helping New Clients Break Up With Their Broker  

Created: March 3, 2015

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Description: Here are two short letters/e-mails (bundled into a single, two-page Word document) to help your new clients “break up” with their broker after they have selected you as their new advisor. The first piece is a cover letter or e-mail to send to new clients, explaining the material; the second is content they can send to their former broker/advisor to ease the transition.

January Q4 2014 Client Letter (Recency & Tracking-Error)  

Created: January 4, 2015

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Description: This 390-word client letter can be used as a cover letter to accompany your quarterly client reports or as a stand-alone communication. It advises clients to avoid recency and tracking-error regret as they consider 2014 annual returns (when a concentrated large-cap U.S. position outperformed the typical globally diversified strategy).

A Meaningful Message for Thanksgiving-2014  

Created: November 11, 2014

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Description: This 300-word letter/e-mail is a template you can use to reach out to clients, to send them Thanksgiving greetings. This year's theme focuses on the way you are grateful to your clients for their personal and professional relationship with you. Use the piece as a client letter or e-mail, or modify it for other purposes as appropriate.

October Q3 2014 Client Letter (CAPE ratio)  

Created: October 2, 2014

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Description: This 420-word client letter can be used as a cover letter to accompany your quarterly client reports or as a stand-alone communication. It presents recent media coverage of Shiller and Malkiel's assessments of the CAPE ratio and stock pricing, and why it remains prudent for clients to stick with their long-term globally diversified portfolio.

Market Mania and Investor Resolve … Again  

Created: July 31, 2014

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Description: This 500-word timely client letter can be used to contact clients who may be concerned about the July 31 2014 steep market decline (or modifiable to be used in the days ahead, depending on continued news). Borrowing on language from past periods of market risk, it reinforces the importance of avoiding herd mentality and instead staying the course during times when market risk appears.

July Q2 2014 Client Letter (Wm Sharpe)  

Created: July 1, 2014

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Description: This 375-word client letter can be used as a cover letter to accompany your quarterly client reports or as a stand-alone communication. Based on a SensibleInvesting.tv interview with Nobel laureate William F. Sharpe, it reminds readers that, even as time, technology and terminology march on, some investment essentials remain as strong as ever. (Ties well with recent Evidence-Based Investment Insights series covering the benefits of diversification.)

Heartbleed Security Reach-Out  

Created: April 10, 2014

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Description: This 280-word e-mail alerts your clients that you are aware of and following up on the Heartbleed Security bug announced this week and that you will be in touch promptly should they need to take any action at their end. A Mashable link is provided to help you inform your clients whether their specific account custodian appears to be affected by the breach. (Most of them appear not to be, since brokers/banks don't seem to be using OpenSSL where the breach occurred), The event also serves as a good reminder that they should routinely update their account passwords every 60-90 days.

April Q1 2014 Client Letter (Michael Lewis & HFT)  

Created: April 3, 2014

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Description: This 475-word client letter can be used as a cover letter to accompany your quarterly client reports or as a stand-alone communication. It addresses Michael Lewis' March 30th, 2014 "60 Minutes" discussion about his new book on high-frequency traders. The incident is a good lesson on why clients need to be aligned with a fiduciary advisor like you to look out for their interests in a market that is expected to reward patient investors, but that clearly has its dark side.

Portfolio Analysis Offer – for Prospects & Client Referrals  

Created: March 27, 2014

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Description: Two letters or e-mails for the price of one! These 350-word calls to action offer a complimentary portfolio analysis to qualified prospects. One version is for sending directly to qualified prospects. The other is to remind your clients that you are available to help others they care about with an objective, confidential portfolio analysis.

Cover Intro for Dimensional 2013 Year in Review  

Created: January 29, 2014

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Description: Here's a 230-word letter or e-mail you can use to share Dimensional Fund Advisors' Advisor Byline 2013 Year in Review (assuming you are a Dimensional firm). There is a version directed to clients and another directed to prospective clients, encouraging them to read Dimensional's report and be in touch with you for follow-up. Both versions help remind the reader about the importance of adopting an evidence-based investment strategy.

January Q4 2013 Client Letter  

Created: January 5, 2014

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Description: This 350-word (one page) client letter can be used as a cover letter to accompany your quarterly client reports or as a stand-alone communication. It reminds clients that, in the context of great 2013 returns but an uncertain future, it's better to base one's decisions on the durable science of investing than on past performance or attempts to time the market.

2013 Holiday/Year-End Reach-Out Client Letter  

Created: December 18, 2013

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Description: Here's a short & sweet, 200-word letter or e-mail to send to your clients wishing them an uplifting holiday season and new year. Includes a feel-good link to a recent report that the US has regained its standing as the world's most giving nation.

A Meaningful Message for Thanksgiving-2013  

Created: November 15, 2013

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Description: This 430-word communication is a template you can use to reach out to clients, to send Thanksgiving greetings as well as a meaningful reminder of how an evidence-based investment strategy helps them more fully enjoy the things that matter most during the holiday season: friends, family, interests and expressions of gratitude. Referencing an entertaining anecdote shared by Carl Richards in one of his New York Times blog posts, the template also includes an optional offer to send clients a free copy of Carl's book, The Behavior Gap. Use the piece as a letter or e-mail, or modify it for other purposes as appropriate.

Professor Fama’s Nobel Prize and You  

Created: October 14, 2013

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Description: This 570-word article celebrates Professor Eugene Fama's receipt of the 2013 Nobel Prize in Economics, and how Fama's work contributes to your clients' personal investment experiences. It also explains how you, as their advisor, add value by translating sometimes conflicting academic evidence (such as Fama’s/Shiller's respective work) into practical application toward achieving individual end goals. Use the piece as a direct client communication or modify/customize for wider use.

October Q3 2013 Client Letter  

Created: October 4, 2013

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Description: This 340-word (one page) client letter can be used as a cover letter to accompany your quarterly client reports or as a stand-alone communication, reminding clients to stick with their disciplined plan in the face of current political and economic uncertainty (government shutdown, debt ceiling, interest rate climate, etc.)

July 2013 Client Letter  

Created: July 2, 2013

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Description: Overview of market conditions in Q2, 2013.

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