If you are passionate about helping people reach their financial potential then starting your own financial advisory business could be your calling. It gives the flexibility to work from home and allows you to steer your business in a way that aligns with your work philosophy and goals. Read on for some tips on how to get started.
You can also check out our online guide for more lucrative business ideas.
Get Registered
The first step in your journey is to turn your dream into a tangible business. In doing so, you will need to register your business by enrolling for an Australian Business Number. This will give you the power to trade within Australia. It is also important in showing your customers that your business is legitimate. In saying that, always remember that client impression is half the battle.
Have a Business Plan
Before reaching out to clients, spend time putting together a business plan. This will essentially include the following:
- Business goals;
- Marketing strategies;
- Target audience;
- Business differentiating factor; and
- Start-up finances
In doing so, you will be able to monitor your business progress throughout the business journey. In addition, it will ensure that you are not allocating time and resources towards a dead end.
Market Your Business
Marketing will be one of the most effective tools you will use to maximise your profit margins. It will ensure that people are aware of your business and the services that it provides. Focus your efforts towards creating an online presence for your business. Some cheap and effective ways of doing so is making the most of social media. It is also suggested that you have a website. You will quickly find that clients will look for your website before reaching out to you. This is because having a website presence often equates to business legitimacy in the eyes of potential clients.
Build Client Trust
Your area of expertise requires building a lot of trust with your clients. Your clients need to be confident that your dealings with them are for their benefit. Essentially, they are trusting you with their financial wellbeing. Make sure that you are spending time building rapport with your clients. There are seminars that give you tips on how to solution sell to your customers. You may find this helpful.
Hire Staff
It is strongly recommended that you start hiring employees at the initial stages of the business. This will allow you to reach out to more clients quicker. In addition, it will ensure that your staff catch onto the business culture from the start. When hiring, make sure that you consider each individual’s skills and personalities. You want someone that will fit into the culture that you are building, not oppose it. Also make sure that your staff are correctly licensed and qualified to deal with clients. It is strongly recommended that you also undertake a criminal check as part of your hiring process.
Get Insured
The nature of your business has some degree of risk. You are essentially dealing with the finances of individuals and so the outcomes are often unknown. Get indemnity insurance and errors and omissions insurance to keep you protected.
Conclusion
As seen from above, there is a lot of potential in excelling in the financial advisory business sector. Make sure that you protect yourself from the start by applying for the correct insurance policies and putting together the correct contracts for your clients and staff. Additionally, be sure to constantly refer back to your business plan. Speak to one of our business lawyers for support.