The Cost of Being Invisible - What Advisors Lose Without Video

Sep 27

Where Data Meets Personality (And They Actually Get Along)

Issue Date: September 29, 2025
Author: Andrew Murdoch | YT Era
Reading Time: 11 minutes (or one awkward client meeting)

Executive Summary

Let's address the obvious reality we're all dancing around: You're reading another marketing report. I get it. But here's the thing… this one actually has data you can use without questioning your life choices. This week, we're diving into what advisors lose without video because apparently, 75% of advised clients either switched advisors or considered switching in 2023 (YCharts). Meanwhile, the average advisor is bleeding $3,119 per client acquisition, with $2,600 of that being your time rather than hard dollars (Kitces Research).

Here's the uncomfortable truth wrapped in a nice bow: While you're avoiding YouTube because it feels "unprofessional," your competitors are quietly building massive practices on the platform. Heritage Wealth Planning grew to 87,400 subscribers and 36.8 million views, reducing client acquisition costs by 40-50%. Their secret? They don't just create videos… they multiply them. Our report on the multiplication effect of repurposing video content reveals how one video becomes seven different pieces of content working 24/7 across every platform.

Carroll Advisory Group leveraged 50 million YouTube views to build $227 million in AUM. The Money Guy Show transformed into a $1.4 billion wealth management empire. (We were critical too until we saw the data.)

Surprise: The opportunity cost of invisibility isn't just about missing leads… it's about hemorrhaging trust. Without video, you're forcing every prospect to make a $1 million decision based on a website headshot and some compliance-approved copy. Good luck with that. Meanwhile, advisors with YouTube presence report prospects saying "I feel like I already know you" at first meetings. That's the difference between a 3-hour trust-building process and walking into a room where trust already exists.

Why Your Current Strategy Is Like Running A Marathon In Flip-Flops

Let me paint you a picture with numbers that'll make your compliance officer cry (happy tears, mostly). You're currently spending an average of $3,119 to acquire each new client. Breaking that down: social media demands a whopping $11,937 per client acquisition. Centers of Influence strategies? That'll be $9,144. Radio advertising? $7,855. Direct mail? A modest $4,628. Meanwhile, SEO delivers clients at just $674 each, and client referrals cost a mere $338 (Kitces Research).

But wait, there's more! (Sorry, couldn't resist.) According to YCharts' 2024 survey, 75% of advised clients either switched advisors or considered switching last year—up from just 47% in 2022. That's not a trend; that's a trust crisis wrapped in a retention nightmare.

The Numbers That'll Make You Cry (Then Motivated)

The trust decay phenomenon is real and it's spectacular (in the worst way possible). 88% of high-value clients say enhanced communication would influence their decision to retain advisor services, yet only 3% of financial advisors report getting leads from YouTube (Broadridge 2021). That's like knowing 88% of your clients want steak and continuing to serve them crackers.

Here's where it gets interesting: 49% of wealthy investors would engage with an advisor they see on YouTube (Advisor360° 2024). YouTube ranked as the most influential social media platform for advisor selection across all generations. Yes, even for your 65+ demographic—YouTube viewing on TV screens by adults 65+ has grown 96% in the past two years. (Read that AGAIN.)

What Actually Works (Spoiler: It's Not What You Think)

Video content creates what I call the "trust multiplication effect." Research shows people retain:

10% of what they read
30% of what they watch (3x improvement)
95% of messages from video versus just 10% from text (Insivia)

The kicker? 58% of companies say they don't have enough resources to increase video output (Wistia 2025). Translation: Most of your competition is still sitting on the sidelines wondering if this "YouTube thing" is just a fad. (Spoiler alert: It's 20 years old. The #1 video platform, #1 streaming platform, #1 podcast platform and #2 search engine.)

The True Cost of Invisibility: Lost Opportunities Compound Daily

Remember compound interest? That magical force Einstein allegedly called the eighth wonder of the world? Well, invisibility compounds too… just in reverse. Every day without video presence, you're not just missing new opportunities; you're actively losing ground to competitors who've figured this out.

Opportunity Cost Analysis: The Math Nobody Wants to Do

Let's get uncomfortable with some real numbers. Traditional referral-based practices typically generate 10-15 new clients annually. That's great if you enjoy the feast-or-famine cycle and midnight anxiety about where your next client will come from. Compare that to video-enabled practices:

Heritage Wealth Planning (Josh Scandlen):

87,400 YouTube subscribers
36.8 million total views
Estimated 60-80 clients annually from YouTube
Client acquisition cost: $1,940-2,580 (40-50% below industry average)
Premium pricing tiers: $1,250-$5,000 per plan

Carroll Advisory Group (Devin Carroll):

50 million YouTube views on Social Security topics
$227 million AUM with just 5 team members
600 clients averaging $378,333 in assets
Operating from Texarkana, Texas (geographic arbitrage)

Do the math: These aren't outliers—they're the new normal for advisors who understand that visibility equals viability in the digital age.

The "Trust Decay" Phenomenon

Here's a fun fact nobody talks about at conferences: Trust has a half-life. Without regular touchpoints, client relationships decay faster than uranium-235 (okay, maybe not that fast, but you get the point). The data backs this up:

77% of clients would be more confident with more frequent advisor communication (YCharts)
78% would be more likely to retain their advisor with regular video content
81% would be more willing to refer if they saw you consistently

But here's the real kicker: Creating individual touchpoints for 200+ clients is mathematically impossible. You'd need 48-hour days and a time machine. Video solves this by creating one-to-many touchpoints that feel personal (if you know what you're doing when creating the content). Your clients can hear from you weekly without you calling each one. It's like cloning yourself, except less creepy than an AI clone.

Client Acquisition Cost Breakdown: The Traditional Bloodbath

Let's look at the raw, unfiltered data on what traditional marketing actually costs:

Traditional Marketing Channels (Per Client Cost):

Marketing consultants: $25,403 (I'm not making this up)
Social media marketing: $11,937
Centers of Influence: $9,144
Radio advertising: $7,855
Direct mail: $4,628
Client appreciation events: $4,933
Networking: $4,494
SEO: $674
Client referrals: $338

Now here's the transformation: Advisors with active YouTube marketing don't just reduce these costs… they improve the effectiveness of ALL traditional approaches. For a deep dive into the exact tracking methodologies and ROI calculations that prove YouTube's superiority, check out our report on YouTube's hidden ROI and lead generation math where we reveal how financial services achieve 35.4% view rates at just $0.048 per view.

YouTube becomes the credibility amplifier. That referral? They Google you, find your videos, and arrive pre-sold. That networking event? People recognize you from your content. That SEO investment? YouTube videos rank in Google search and LLMs (if you know what you’re doing), doubling your visibility.

This isn't an 'either/or' decision—it's an 'and' strategy that makes everything else work better.

Who's Already Eating Your Lunch (And How They're Doing It)

While you're reading this, your competitors are uploading their next video. Not because they're natural performers (most aren't), but because they've seen the ROI. Let's peek behind the curtain at who's winning and why.

The YouTube Titans: A Comprehensive Reality Check

Here's who's dominating while you're debating:

Elite Tier: The Billion-Dollar Builders

1. The Money Guy Show - 377,000+ subscribers, $1.4 billion AUM

Brian Preston and Bo Hanson built Abound Wealth Management from startup to billion-dollar advisory through YouTube. Their "Financial Order of Operations" became industry vernacular. Result: 40-60% of their 733 clients originated from YouTube.

2. Ritholtz Wealth Management - $6 billion AUM

Josh Brown and Barry Ritholtz built a content empire from startup to $6 billion in 12 years, with "The Compound" YouTube channel (105,500 subscribers) serving as the cornerstone of their media ecosystem. Generating 400-863% ROI from content marketing while reducing client acquisition costs by 50-70%, they've expanded to 11 offices nationally. Their YouTube strategy produces 10+ million annual views across multiple shows, with prospects arriving pre-educated and ready to engage.

3. Ben Felix (PWL Capital) - 427,000+ subscribers, $5.5 billion AUM

This Canadian portfolio manager transformed PWL Capital through evidence-based content. Generates 1,100 qualified leads annually. OneDigital acquired them in 2025, specifically citing the YouTube capabilities as strategic assets.

4. James Conole (Root Financial) - $1.3 billion AUM

Built almost exclusively through YouTube. Added $120 million new AUM in year one alone. 700 qualified prospects in 12 months from strategic video content.

5. Oak Harvest Financial Group - $940 million AUM

Troy Sharpe transformed Oak Harvest from $85 million to $940 million AUM with YouTube driving 65-70% of all new business. Generating 1,000 first appointments annually from YouTube and converting 250 into new clients, they've proven the scalability of video-first strategies. Operating with an average client balance of $1 million across 904 accounts.

6. Pure Financial Advisors - $8 billion AUM

The largest YouTube-enabled advisory in our analysis. With 32,700 subscribers on "Your Money, Your Wealth," they generate 15-25% of leads through YouTube. While a lower percentage than pure YouTube plays, the absolute dollar impact is staggering—potentially $1.2-2 billion in AUM attributable to their video strategy.

7. Plancorp - $6.5 billion AUM

Peter Lazaroff transformed this St. Louis RIA into a $6.5 billion powerhouse through "The Long Term Investor" podcast/YouTube strategy, generating 82-573% ROI while reducing client acquisition costs to $1,316-$1,754 (half the industry average). Operating across 11 offices in 39 states. Their 124% increase in client engagement through multi-platform distribution proves that sophisticated content ecosystems create compound competitive advantages traditional marketing can't match.

8. Streamline Financial - Acquired by Merit Financial

Dave Zoller built such a powerful YouTube lead generation machine—generating 60-100 qualified prospects monthly—that Merit Financial Advisors acquired Streamline specifically for their content capabilities. The acquisition proves YouTube success has become a valuable M&A asset, with larger RIAs now hunting for advisors with established digital audiences rather than just AUM.

Growth Machines: The Rising Stars

9. Jazz Wealth Managers - 143,000 subscribers, $450 million AUM

Dustin Tibbitts' daily posting schedule proves consistency beats perfection. They've built a national practice from YouTube, generating leads 24/7.

10. Heritage Wealth Planning - 87,400 subscribers

Josh Scandlen went from zero to 200,000+ view videos focusing on Social Security. No fancy production, just expertise. Now operates with a client waitlist, charging $1,250-5,000 per plan.

11. Carroll Advisory Group - 50 million views, $227 million AUM

Devin Carroll dominates Social Security education. Operating from small-town Texas with just 5 team members, proving geography doesn't matter on YouTube.

12. Tenon Financial - 26,700 subscribers, $208 million AUM

Andy Panko grew from $0 to $208+ million AUM in under five years. While YouTube served as supporting actor rather than lead (contributing 20-30% of growth), that still represents $40-60 million in AUM. The "Retirement Planning Education" channel proves YouTube multiplies effectiveness even when it's not your primary strategy.

Niche Dominators: Specialized Success

13. Haws Federal Advisors - 758 podcast episodes, $31 million AUM

Dallen Haws built a practice exclusively serving federal employees. Cost per acquisition: $7,500 (high, but justified by specialized expertise).

14. Thornton Financial - 124,000 subscribers

"Pocket Watching with JT" exposes financial scams while building trust. Estimated $250,000-$300,000 annual YouTube revenue plus advisory leads.

15. Travis Sickle - 79,200 subscribers

Built Sickle Hunter Financial Advisors to $45 million AUM with 200 client households through YouTube before pivoting strategy.

16. Patrick King (Prana Wealth) - 48,200 subscribers, $18 million AUM

Zero to $18 million AUM in seven years. Peak YouTube ad revenue of $10,000/month proves monetization potential.

Content Innovators: Different Models

17. Rob Berger - 269,000 subscribers

Former securities lawyer turned content creator. Built DoughRoller.net to 2 million annual visitors before selling. Now focuses on retirement planning education.

18. The Plain Bagel - 1.08 million subscribers

Richard Coffin of WDS Investment Management. Educational content reaches 85 million views, though business impact remains unmeasured publicly.

19. Jeff Rose - 384,000 subscribers

Early YouTube adopter since 2011, though admitted failure to maintain momentum. Shows the importance of consistency—even early movers can fall behind.

20. Benjamin Brandt - 5,180+ subscribers

Just 26 videos generated 449,352 total views. Two videos exceeded 100,000 views each. Proves quality beats quantity.

Emerging Players: The Next Wave

21. Foundry Financial - Viral success Kevin Lum's single video hit 325,000 views, potentially generating 325-975 prospects. Boutique firm punching above weight class.

22. Keil Financial Partners - Strategic approach Jeremy Keil leverages YouTube alongside podcasting for comprehensive digital presence. Focus on retirement planning resonates perfectly.

23. Rebellionaire - 29% AUM growth Achieved through strategic YouTube guest appearances. Targets Tesla investors specifically, proving ultra-niche strategies work.

24. Hoskin Capital - Multi-platform approach Nathan Hoskin built 207,000+ TikTok followers (networthnate) while incorporating YouTube Shorts strategy.

The Pattern Is Clear

These aren't outliers. They're the vanguard of a transformation that's accelerating. Every category—from billion-dollar RIAs to solo practitioners—has YouTube success stories. Every niche—from federal employees to Tesla investors—has advisors dominating through video.

The question isn't whether YouTube works for financial advisors. The question is why you're still reading this instead of recording your first video.

Who's Winning With Video (Hint: It's Not Who You Think)

Here's what surprises everyone: The advisors crushing it on YouTube aren't the young, camera-comfortable millennials. They're often 50+ advisors who realized their expertise matters more than their production quality.

Take Troy Sharpe from Oak Harvest—he was terrified for 12-18 months before starting. Now his channel drives 65-70% of all new business. His business partner told him, "Good luck with that. No one does YouTube." Five years and $850 million in AUM growth later, guess who's having the last laugh?

The pattern? Successful video advisors share three traits:

They prioritize consistency over perfection
They focus on education, not entertainment
They started before they felt ready

The First-Mover Advantage Still Exists (But The Window Is Closing)

Here's the opportunity wrapped in urgency: Only 3% of financial advisors currently use YouTube for lead generation (Broadridge). That means 97% of your competition is still paralyzed by analysis paralysis, compliance concerns, or good old-fashioned fear.

But this window is closing faster than a compliance officer reviewing your marketing materials. Video content from financial advisors increased 287% from 2020-2024 (Hearsay Systems). The tsunami is coming. The question isn't whether to start… it's whether to start now while you can still ride the wave, or later when you're swimming against it.

Your Implementation Roadmap (Without the Overwhelm)

Alright, enough with the doom and gloom. Let's talk about how you actually do this without losing your mind, your compliance approval, or your dignity. Because despite what the YouTube gurus tell you, you don't need to dance, point at floating text, or start every video with "WHAT'S UP, WEALTH BUILDERS!"

The 4 Weeks Before Launch: Foundation Building

This isn't about perfection; it's about preparation. Here's your pre-launch checklist that won't make you want to hide under your desk:

Week 1: Compliance First (Because Lawyers)

Draft your standard video disclaimer (adapt from competitors)
Create 5 evergreen topic outlines for pre-approval
Set up YouTube channel with proper business registration
Document your archival process

Week 2: Tech Setup (Easier Than Your CRM)

Phone or basic camera (anything shooting 1080p)
$50 USB microphone (audio matters more than video)
Free recording software (OBS or even Zoom)
Basic lighting (a window works)

Week 3: Content Planning (The Fun Part)

List 20 questions clients ask repeatedly
Pick the 5 most boring ones (seriously, boring converts)
Create simple slide decks that reinforce the learning
Write bullet points, not scripts (unless compliance requires it)

Week 4: Practice Runs (Where Magic Happens)

Record 3 practice videos you'll never publish
Watch them back (yes, it's painful)
Pick your least terrible one
Realize it's actually not that bad

Launch Week: Your YouTube Debut

Based on what I've tested and detailed in my book "Mastering YouTube Marketing for Financial Services," here's what actually works:

The Pre-Launch Strategy:

DON'T upload one video and wait
DO prepare 3-5 videos before going live
Launch with a focused topic cluster (e.g., all about Roth conversions)
This helps YouTube's algorithm understand your expertise faster

First Upload Protocol:

Title: Clear, searchable, boring (e.g., "Roth Conversion Rules 2025")
Thumbnail: Your face (yes, really) + clear text
Description: Full summary with timestamps
Upload time: Less important if you’re starting out but early in the day is preferred

The 48-Hour Rule:

Don't check views for 48 hours (seriously)
Don't share on social media (seriously)
Let YouTube's algorithm do its initial assessment
THEN (after 30 days or so) amplify through other channels

Weeks 2-4: Building Momentum

The truth nobody tells you: Weeks 2-4 are when most advisors quit. You'll have 37 views, your mom will have watched it twice, and you'll wonder if this was a terrible mistake. This is normal. This is also where your competition quits, leaving the field wide open for you.

Keep posting. One video weekly. I like once every 6 days to hit a different day of the week. YouTube's algorithm rewards consistency more than quality (though both would be nice). By week 4, you'll notice something strange: It gets easier. Your on-camera presence improves. Your explanations get clearer. You might even—brace yourself—enjoy it.

Week 5+: The 'Holy Crap It's Working' Phase

Around week 5 or 6, something shifts. A prospect mentions they watched your video. A client forwards it to their friend. Your website traffic upticks mysteriously. You get an inquiry from someone who says, "I've been watching your videos and..."

This is when that powerful flywheel starts turning… when YouTube's algorithm finally understands exactly who you serve and starts recommending your content to the right people. You're about to witness one of the most powerful marketing forces that exists today.

If you're thinking 'I don't have time for this,' our Time-Starved Advisor's YouTube System report shows how successful advisors create entire quarters of content in single morning sessions, investing just 4 hours per month… less time than a round of golf.

Ready for professional help getting this right from the start? Apply to work with us HERE. We help advisors skip the painful trial-and-error phase and get straight to the "holy crap it's working" results.

Compliance Without Complications

Look, I know what you're thinking: "This all sounds great until compliance reads me my rights." Fair point. But here's the thing—compliance departments aren't the enemy of video. They're the enemy of stupid video. Big difference.

Making Compliance Happy (It's Possible, I Promise)

The secret to compliance-approved video isn't avoiding it—it's embracing it strategically. As I detailed in "Mastering YouTube Marketing for Financial Services," forward-thinking compliance departments actually prefer video because it's easier to monitor than random social media posts.

The Compliance Checklist That Actually Works:

Start every video with your standard disclaimer
Focus on education, not advice (teach concepts, not recommendations)
Avoid specific investment suggestions (obviously)
Include "not personalized advice" language
Archive everything

Real Examples From Real Advisors

Heritage Wealth Planning built a 87,400-subscriber channel while maintaining SEC registration and zero regulatory violations. Their approach? Educational content so pure even regulators can't complain.

The Money Guy Show operates under SEC registration #285903 with a spotless disciplinary record. They've structured operations through two entities: Abound Wealth Management for advisory services and 88 Times Over LLC for media production. Clear boundaries, zero problems.

Haws Federal Advisors maintains clean regulatory records despite 758 podcast episodes. Their secret? Every episode includes "I am a practicing financial planner, but I'm not your financial planner." Simple. Effective. Compliant.

Compliance Reality Check: 70% of financial firm social media reviewed by FINRA was non-compliant. But here's the twist—most violations came from off-the-cuff posts, not planned video content. Video's structure actually makes compliance easier, not harder.

Frequently Asked Questions (Or: Things You're Thinking But Too Polite To Say)

Q: Is YouTube really worth it compared to just focusing on referrals?

A: Ah, the million-dollar question (literally, in some cases). Let me break this down with the subtlety of a bulldozer in a china shop.

Referrals are amazing—when they happen. They cost just $338 per acquisition and come pre-qualified. But here's the problem: you can't control them. You can't scale them. You can't turn them on when you need growth. They're like waiting for rain in a drought—precious when it comes, but you can't build a business on hope.

YouTube? That's your irrigation system. Every video you create is a 24/7 salesperson who never takes vacation, never asks for a raise, and can talk to thousands of prospects simultaneously. Heritage Wealth Planning generates 60-80 clients annually through YouTube. Carroll Advisory Group built $227 million in AUM. These aren't replacing referrals—they're creating a predictable, scalable complement that makes you less dependent on hoping your clients mention you at the country club.

Here's the beautiful part: YouTube actually increases referrals. Clients share your videos. They feel proud that their advisor is on YouTube. They have something tangible to show friends who ask about their advisor. It's not YouTube OR referrals… it's YouTube AND more referrals.

Q: How long before I see results?

A: If I had a dollar for every time this gets asked, I could afford those $25,403 marketing consultant fees (but why would I?).

Here's the uncomfortable truth: most advisors see initial traction in 30-45 days, meaningful results in 90 days, and "why didn't I do this sooner" moments around month 6. But… and this is a Sir Mix-a-Lot-sized but… results vary BIG TIME.

The Money Guy Show took years to hit critical mass. Josh Scandlen saw his first comment after 30 days of daily posting. Benjamin Brandt built 5,000+ subscribers with just 26 videos. The variable? Consistency and strategy, not luck.

The pattern is predictable though:

Days 1-30: Cricket symphony, self-doubt festival
Days 31-60: First comments, surprising email inquiry
Days 61-90: Consistent views, algorithm recognition
Days 91-180: Lead flow begins, compounds monthly
Month 7+: Wondering how you ever survived without it

Q: Do I really have to be on camera?

A: Deep breath No. No, you don't. Despite what every "YouTube expert" tells you (while conveniently on camera themselves), showing your face is not mandatory for success.

I developed the "Invisible Authority Strategy" specifically for advisors who'd rather have a root canal than be on camera. Screen recordings, slide presentations, animated explanations—all viable, all effective, all face-free.

That said (you knew this was coming), being on camera does accelerate trust-building. It's the difference between a handshake and a wave from across the room. Both acknowledge presence, but one creates connection. If you can stomach it, even occasional on-camera appearances help. Think 20% on-camera, 80% screen-share. It's the mullet of video strategies—business in the front, party in the back.

Q: What if my competitors are already doing this?

A: Good! That means they've validated the market for you. You're not pioneering; you're optimizing. This is actually an advantage, not a disadvantage.

First, watch everything they do wrong (trust me, there's plenty). Are they boring? Be engaging. Are they generic? Be specific. Do they ramble for 20 minutes? Be concise. There's always a gap to exploit.

Second, YouTube isn't winner-take-all. Prospects typically watch multiple advisors before choosing. They're not looking for the "best" YouTube channel; they're looking for the best fit. Your personality, approach, and expertise will resonate with different people than your competitors'.

Third, most advisors doing YouTube are doing it wrong. They're either too salesy (gross) or too general (useless). The sweet spot? Specific solutions for specific people. While your competitor makes "Retirement Planning 101" videos, you make "Engineer's Guide to Pension Maximization." See the difference?

Q: Is video marketing just another fad that will pass?

A: Sure, and the internet is just a fad too. (That's sarcasm, in case my tone didn't translate through text—which, ironically, proves why video is superior.)

Video isn't new. It's the dominant form of human communication returning to its rightful throne after a brief 500-year text-based intermission. YouTube has 2.7 billion monthly users. It's been around for 20 years. U.S. adults spend 48.7 minutes daily on the platform. If this is a fad, it's the longest, most profitable fad in history.

The real question isn't whether video will last… it's whether you'll adapt before it's too late. As we've seen with companies like Blockbuster, Kodak, and taxi companies versus Uber, the question isn't if disruption is real, but when you'll accept it. Every day you wait, another advisor picks up your future clients. But hey, no pressure.

Additional Resources (Because Knowledge Without Action Is Just Trivia)

Knowledge is power, but implementation is profit. Here are YT Era resources to accelerate your success (yes, we're shamelessly plugging our stuff… at least this stuff is FREE and we're honest about it):

The Part Where We Ask You To Do Something

Look, we both know 73% of you will read this, nod sagely, and then go back to doing exactly what you were doing before. (Source: my imagination, but feels accurate.) For the other 27% who are ready to shake things up:

This Week's Challenge: Create one video. Just one. Film yourself explaining RMDs, or Roth conversions, or why sequence of returns risk matters. Use your phone. Keep it under 5 minutes. Include your disclosures. Upload it as unlisted if you're nervous. But do it.

Ready for the full transformation? Apply to work with us HERE. Fair warning: We only work with advisors who are tired of pretending everything's fine.

Disclaimer

This report contains strategies that have worked for some advisors but may not be suitable for all practices. Results vary significantly based on implementation, market conditions, and individual circumstances. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Any earnings or income statements are estimates based on documented case studies. Your results may differ substantially. Success requires consistent effort, strategic implementation, and ongoing optimization.

Before implementing any marketing strategies discussed in this report, consult with your compliance department or legal counsel to ensure alignment with your firm's policies and regulatory requirements.

Sources (For The Skeptics)

Because apparently "trust me bro" isn't a valid citation anymore:

Primary Research Sources

Advisor360°. (2024). 2024 Connected Wealth Report. As reported in Financial Advisor Magazine, February 13, 2024.
Broadridge Financial Solutions. (2021). Third-annual financial advisor marketing survey.
Broadridge Financial Solutions. (2024). Fifth annual financial advisor marketing trends report.
FINRA. (2021). Regulatory notice 21-25: Guidance on social media and digital communications.
Hearsay Systems. (2024). 2024 financial services social selling content study. May 8, 2024.
Insivia. (2023). Video marketing statistics 2023.
Kitces, M. (2019). Client acquisition costs for financial advisor marketing strategies. Kitces.com.
Kitces, M. (2020). Financial advisor marketing survey. Kitces Research.
Mega Digital. (2024). YouTube advertising benchmarks by industry 2024.
Mehrabian, A. (1971). Silent messages: Implicit communication of emotions and attitudes. Wadsworth.
Morning Consult. (2025). Most trusted brands 2025.
Nielsen. (2025). The gauge: U.S. streaming and TV viewing snapshot - July 2025.
Oberlo. (2024). YouTube statistics 2024. Citing Insider Intelligence data.
Pew Research Center. (2024). Social media use in 2024.
Ruler Analytics. (2023). Conversion rate benchmarks by industry.
Spectrem Group. (2021-2023). Annual survey of wealthy investors. 4,500 participants.
Unbounce. (2024). Landing page conversion benchmarks by industry.
Wistia. (2024). State of video report 2024.
Wistia. (2025). State of video report 2025.
YCharts. (2024). 2024 advisor-client communication survey.

Secondary Sources

Financial Planning Magazine. (2020, February 25). Kitces: How financial advisors can cut client acquisition costs.
Financial Planning Magazine. (2024, March). YCharts survey reveals communication gaps.
ThinkAdvisor. (2024, March 27). 12 new findings on how clients want to communicate.
WealthManagement.com. (2024, March 20). YCharts: Clients ditched advisors at alarming rates in 2023.

Industry Reports

Investment Adviser Association. (2023). 2023 Investment adviser industry snapshot.
Investment Company Institute. (2024). 2024 investment company fact book.
McKinsey & Company. (2024). North American wealth management report 2024

Mary Shimazu