General Letter/E-Mail
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Is the Debt Ceiling Bringing You Down?
Created: May 10, 2023
Categories: Breaking News, Client-Focused, Economics, Evidence-Based Investing, General Letter/E-Mail, Politics, Scary Market Insights
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.
Bank Run News
Created: March 13, 2023
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Breaking News, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Scary Market Insights
Description: A client reach-out to comment on current bank runs, beginning with Silicon Valley Bank.
A Meaningful Message for Thanksgiving/Holidays (2022)
Created: November 2, 2022
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Client Experience, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Holiday Greetings, Philanthropy/Giving
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.
Ukraine
Created: February 24, 2022
Categories: Breaking News, Client-Focused, Evidence-Based Investing, General Letter/E-Mail, Politics, Scary Market Insights
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
Categories: Behavioral Finance, Breaking News, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Scary Market Insights
Description: Use this client reach-out to quell nervous reactions to current market volatility and encourage clients to stick with their existing investment plans.
A Meaningful Message for Thanksgiving/Holidays (2021)
Created: October 26, 2021
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Client Experience, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Holiday Greetings
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.
Three Advisor Firm Fact Sheet Cover Letter Templates
Created: May 26, 2021
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Alliances, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Prospect-Focused
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.
GameStop Client Reach-Out
Created: February 1, 2021
Categories: Article, Breaking News, Evidence-Based Investing, General Audience, General Letter/E-Mail
Description: Share this 855-word piece with clients and prospects to offer a synopsis (to date) of the unfolding marketing volatility generated by GameStop and similar short-sold stocks, and to remind them of the essential differences between long-term investing versus short-term trading.
Six Financial Best Practices for Year-End 2020
Created: November 29, 2020
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Article, Financial Best Practice Lists, Financial Planning, General Audience, General Letter/E-Mail, Listicle, Philanthropy/Giving, Risk Management, Tax Planning
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
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Client Experience, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Holiday Greetings, Wealth Management
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
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Breaking News, Client-Focused, Evidence-Based Investing, General Letter/E-Mail, Politics, UPDATED Content
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.
A Coronavirus Round-Up Report
Created: March 27, 2020
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Breaking News, Client Experience, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Report, Scary Market Insights, Tax Planning
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
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Article, Client Experience, General Letter/E-Mail, Retirement Plan Sponsor, Retirement Planning, Scary Market Insights
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.
Three Thoughts During Scary Markets Free Sample (Click on title to download)
Created: March 9, 2020
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Behavioral Finance, Breaking News, Client Experience, Client-Focused, Evidence-Based Investing, Free Samples, General Letter/E-Mail, Scary Market Insights
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.
A Meaningful Message for Thanksgiving/Holiday Season (2019)
Created: November 6, 2019
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Client Experience, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Holiday Greetings
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.
A Timely Reminder on the Perils of Market Timing
Created: August 25, 2019
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Breaking News, Client Experience, Client-Focused, Economics, Evidence-Based Investing, General Letter/E-Mail, Scary Market Insights
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.
A Client Referral Reach-Out
Created: March 7, 2019
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Client Experience, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail
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.
A Second Opinion Reach-Out
Created: February 25, 2019
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Client Experience, General Letter/E-Mail, Prospect-Focused, Wealth Management
Description: Use this 525-word piece to reach out to prospects (or, with minor revisions, to clients), encouraging them to schedule a second opinion meeting with you. The piece describes what to expect as well as red flags to avoid when seeking an objective second opinion about their investment portfolio. It could also be re-purposed as a general article.
An Homage to John “Jack” Bogle
Created: January 17, 2019
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Breaking News, Client-Focused, Expenses, General Letter/E-Mail
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.
Cover Intro for Dimensional 2018 Market Review
Created: January 8, 2019
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Evidence-Based Investing, General Audience, General Letter/E-Mail, Intro to Expert Commentary, Scary Market Insights
Description: This 565-word summary provides an introduction you can use to share Dimensional's 2018 Market Review, with an emphasis on remaining resolute and diversified during volatile markets. You can use the intro to be in touch with your clients or as a prospecting piece for those interested in evidence-based investing.
2018 Year-End Market Volatility Client Reach-Out
Created: December 6, 2018
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Behavioral Finance, Breaking News, Client Experience, Client-Focused, Evidence-Based Investing, General Letter/E-Mail, Scary Market Insights
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
Categories: Client Experience, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Holiday Greetings
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
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Breaking News, Client-Focused, Evidence-Based Investing, General Letter/E-Mail, Scary Market Insights
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.
New Client Welcome Letter/Email and Fact Sheet
Created: May 8, 2018
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Client Experience, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Wealth Management
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.
The Current Market Decline in Context
Created: February 5, 2018
Categories: Breaking News, Client-Focused, Economics, General Letter/E-Mail, Scary Market Insights
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
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Client-Focused, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Evidence-Based Investing, General Audience, General Letter/E-Mail, Intro to Expert Commentary
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.
Year-End Reflections on the New U.S. Tax Law
Created: December 21, 2017
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Breaking News, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Philanthropy/Giving, Tax Planning
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
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Client Experience, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Holiday Greetings
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.
Equifax Breach Commentary
Created: September 18, 2017
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Breaking News, Client-Focused, General Audience, General Letter/E-Mail, Security, Technology
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
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Breaking News, Client Experience, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Scary Market Insights
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
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Breaking News, Client Experience, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Scary Market Insights
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.)
Introduction to “What Is Evidence-Based Investing?”
Created: June 22, 2017
Categories: Evidence-Based Investing, General Audience, General Letter/E-Mail, The "What Is ...?" series, What Is Evidence-Based Investing?
Description: Use this short, introductory message to share our recently released "What Is Evidence-Based Investing?" infographic/poster with clients, prospective clients and others.
Misperceptions About Market Corrections: Are You Prepared?
Created: June 4, 2017
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Article, Behavioral Finance, Client-Focused, Evidence-Based Investing, General Audience, General Letter/E-Mail, Prospect-Focused, Scary Market Insights
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
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Breaking News, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Security, Technology
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.
Prospecting Reach-Out: Client Referral Intro
Created: April 17, 2017
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Client Experience, General Letter/E-Mail, Prospect-Focused
Description: Use this 200-word template to create a personalized letter or e-mail to prospective clients who have been referred to you by one of your current clients ... or modify or excerpt from the template to apply to other prospecting activities. This will be the first of a collection of prospecting templates I'll release over time. I welcome your ongoing suggestions for new ones!
Cover Intro for Dimensional 2016 Market Review
Created: January 12, 2017
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Client-Focused, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Evidence-Based Investing, General Letter/E-Mail, Intro to Expert Commentary
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.
Client Cover Letter for Sharing Dimensional Materials
Created: December 7, 2016
Categories: Client-Focused, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Evidence-Based Investing, General Letter/E-Mail
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.)
Prospect Cover Letter for Sharing Dimensional Materials
Created: December 7, 2016
Categories: Dimensional Fund Advisors, Evidence-Based Investing, General Letter/E-Mail, Prospect-Focused
Description: This 450-word 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 as a follow-up to your initial conversation or meeting with a PROSPECT, to promote evidence-based investing as implemented by Dimensional funds. 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 CLIENTS.)
A Meaningful Message for Thanksgiving (2016)
Created: November 15, 2016
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Client Experience, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Holiday Greetings
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
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Breaking News, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Politics, Scary Market Insights
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
Categories: Breaking News, Client Experience, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Politics, Scary Market Insights
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.
Intro for “Reflections on Real Estate Investing” Report
Created: July 19, 2016
Categories: Breaking News, Client-Focused, Evidence-Based Investing, General Letter/E-Mail, Intro to Expert Commentary, Real Estate Investing, Tax Planning
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.
Brexit Vote and Market Outcomes
Created: June 24, 2016
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Breaking News, Client-Focused, Economics, General Letter/E-Mail, Scary Market Insights
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
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Client Experience, Client-Focused, Expenses, General Letter/E-Mail, Retirement Planning
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
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Breaking News, Client Experience, Client-Focused, Economics, General Letter/E-Mail, Scary Market Insights
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
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Breaking News, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Retirement Planning
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.
Cover Intro for Dimensional 2015 Year in Review
Created: January 21, 2016
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Breaking News, Client-Focused, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Economics, General Letter/E-Mail, Intro to Expert Commentary, Scary Market Insights
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
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Breaking News, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Scary Market Insights
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
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Breaking News, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Scary Market Insights
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.
Giving Thoughts
Created: December 18, 2015
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Holiday Greetings, Philanthropy/Giving
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,
A Meaningful Message for Thanksgiving-2015
Created: November 7, 2015
Categories: Client-Focused, Evidence-Based Investing, General Letter/E-Mail, Holiday Greetings
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
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Behavioral Finance, Breaking News, Client Experience, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Scary Market Insights
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.
Client Reach-Out About Bad Market News
Created: August 22, 2015
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Breaking News, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Scary Market Insights
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.
Greece
Created: June 29, 2015
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Breaking News, General Audience, General Letter/E-Mail
Description: Here is a brief, 375-word piece you can use to reach out to clients and prospects in an e-mail or mail distribution, advising them to the stay the course as the Greek debt crisis unfolds. It advises them on how to consider the event in the context of evidence-based investing and serves as a call to action to be in touch with you for additional assistance.
Helping New Clients Break Up With Their Broker
Created: March 3, 2015
Categories: Client Experience, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail
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.
Cover Intro for Dimensional 2014 Year in Review
Created: January 14, 2015
Categories: Dimensional Fund Advisors, Evidence-Based Investing, General Audience, General Letter/E-Mail, Intro to Expert Commentary
Description: Here's a 375-word letter or e-mail you can use to share Dimensional Fund Advisors' Advisor Byline 2014 Year in Review, now available from Dimensional's log-in site. The lead-in reinforces the importance of remaining globally diversified, of avoiding market-timing in response to near-term "winning" and "losing" asset classes, and to be in touch with you for assistance.
A Meaningful Message for Thanksgiving-2014
Created: November 11, 2014
Categories: Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Holiday Greetings
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.
Timeless Investment Advice for Timely Market Troubles
Created: October 15, 2014
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Breaking News, General Audience, General Letter/E-Mail, Scary Market Insights
Description: This 500-word e-mail can be used to reach out to clients or prospects about today's (October 15, 2014) market drop or repurposed as a follow-up (with minor edits to adjust to whatever happens next in the market). It empathizes with the pain that market drops can cause and reinforces classic themes such as the importance of taking a long-term, evidence-based approach to harnessing market volatility.
Market Mania and Investor Resolve … Again
Created: July 31, 2014
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Breaking News, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Scary Market Insights
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.
Heartbleed Security Reach-Out
Created: April 10, 2014
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Technology
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.
Portfolio Analysis Offer – for Prospects & Client Referrals
Created: March 27, 2014
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Client Experience, Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Prospect-Focused
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
Categories: Advisor Role/Value, Client-Focused, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Evidence-Based Investing, General Letter/E-Mail, Intro to Expert Commentary, Prospect-Focused
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.
2013 Holiday/Year-End Reach-Out Client Letter
Created: December 18, 2013
Categories: Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Holiday Greetings
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
Categories: Client-Focused, General Letter/E-Mail, Holiday Greetings
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.
Center of Influence (COI) Reach-Out Letter Template
Created: November 5, 2013
Categories: Alliances, Client Experience, General Letter/E-Mail
Description: This one-page, 250-word letter is a template you can use to reach out to centers of influence and potential strategic alliances such as attorneys, accountants, community leaders and others, introducing them to your firm and inviting them to network with you professionally. Use the piece as a letter or e-mail, or modify it for other purposes as appropriate.
The S&P 500 Wheel of Fortune
Created: May 17, 2013
Categories: Breaking News, General Audience, General Letter/E-Mail
Description: Purchase this 400-word document to use as timely, appropriate commentary on the S&P 500 Index’s recent (May 2013) all-time market highs. Remind investors that (a) an evidence-based portfolio already is positioned to capture market surges commensurate with the investor's goals and risk tolerances and (b) chasing past returns is counterproductive. The best advice is, as always, to enjoy the returns gained, but stay the course according to personal goals and risk tolerances.
Responding to Active Management News & Analysis
Created: April 11, 2013
Categories: Breaking News, Evidence-Based Investing, General Audience, General Letter/E-Mail
Description: This 650-word piece can be used to respond to miscellaneous active calls to action related to popular market trends, gloomy forecasts or other current or ongoing events. It thanks the individual for sharing the news, and provides them with two guidelines for properly assessing it: (1) Consider the credibility of the source. (2) Even if the source is credible, consider the worth of the news in relation to your recommended, long-term, passively minded investment strategy.