Newsletter for the Counter-Cultural Retirement Advisor
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Issue: #515  |  September 15, 2025
“I couldn't live a week without a private library - indeed, I'd part with all my furniture and squat and sleep on the floor before I'd let go of the 1500 or so books I possess.”
―H. P. Lovecraft
Greetings,
 
Welcome to this week's Advisor Training newsletter. Our goal is to provide training, education and insights for solo/independent Advisors who adhere to our client-first, counter-cultural, and sometimes counter-intuitive investment and business philosophy.
 
If you're not yet part of our AdvisorFirst Group but you'd like to learn more, you can schedule a chat with me.
  • Main event: $1.7 V.A. Case Design & "The Boxes". 

  • How to send a proper follow-up email.
  • 2 Nick Murray Audios + 2 Books that Influence Nick the most

  • Prompt, Two-Way Communication  

  • Review of last week's quiz

  • Updates, News and Announcements

  • and much more...

THIS WEEK'S PRO-TIP
Question from an Advisor

"Creative ideas for client gifts?"

There are no generic gift ideas; personalize the gift for the client.

 

When your client first starts working with you or comes in for their annual review, take a picture of them with their spouse or whatever family member is with them. On their birthday, send it to them in a frame. Just use your smart phone; nothing fancy.


Look back at your notes and figure out what their hobbies are. Send them something related to one of them.


If they are a business owner, call their office and ask someone who works there what their favorite hobby is. Send them a book about that topic. 

 

Always take the time to write a note from the heart.


It's not about the gift, make it about THEM. I'd rather have you send out three custom gifts that are highly focused on the client's life rather than some useless monogrammed water bottle that they'll use once a toss.

TOP 17 SECRETS
#3 ― WEEKLY REVENUE
BOOK OF THE WEEK

How to Win Friends and Influence People in the Digital Age
by Dale Carnegie


An adaptation of Dale Carnegie’s timeless classic for the digital age. This is perhaps the most important book in your career. People skills supersede all other skills."

ADVISORFIRST ADVANTAGES
#3 ― Low Fees
“Relentlessly cut costs.”
―Sandy Weill
  • IP has given our Group an exclusive discount of $750 on startup/transfer fees! 
  • For those starting brand-new in the industry and getting licensed, IP will reimburse you 20% of your Kaplan study material after you've written you first securities sale. This discount is exclusive to our Group.
  • The monthly fees are $195. This includes E&O! IP has one of the lowest cost Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance that covers life insurance, securities and RIA business (this is pro-rated to a lower amount if joining after January). This dramatically reduces the barrier to entry.
  • The only required extra expense is Docusign ($240 - $300 per year).
  • If you want a FINRA branch the annual cost is only $200.
  • Note: for life-only reps the E&O is $50 / month. No start-up costs.
LAST WEEK's QUIZ

If an employer over-contributed to an employee's SEP-IRA, what are the options?

  1. They must withdraw the excess contributions. No penalty.

  2. They must withdraw the excess contributions. 10% penalty.

  3. They can carry the excess forward for one year.

  4. They can carry the excess forward for three years.

  5. They can carry the excess forward for five years.

  6. They can carry the excess forward until the employee retires.

Answer = 5

BUSINESS MEMES

Michael Paulding Thomas

Securities Principal & Advisor Development

 

Over three decades of training part-time and full-time financial advisors. Developed 2 $200k-earners, 10 $100k-earners, 15 part-time $50k-earners and built a $1.6M revenue sales force.


Securities offered through Innovation Partners, LLC. Member FINRA/SIPC