The Advisor Advancement Podcast Network

USA Financial
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  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Advisor Advancement is a network for independent financial advisors from industry professionals. Powering the entrepreneurial spirit of the financial advisor profession, we cover topics like practice management, marketing, compliance, business development, and much more.

  1. The RARE Advisor: Access by Design: Turning Phones and Calendars into Strategic Assets

    6D AGO

    The RARE Advisor: Access by Design: Turning Phones and Calendars into Strategic Assets

    In this episode of The RARE Advisor, host Aaron Grady and practice management consultant Allan Oehrlein continue their discussion on time allocation by exploring what comes next: operationalizing structure across the entire advisory team. They break down why the phone is the "front door" to the firm and the calendar is the "engine room," and how elite practices use standardized phone scripts, the strategic power of the word "unavailable," intentional scheduling rules, and team empowerment to build consistency, capacity, and trust. Aaron and Allan outline how designed access—not unlimited access—creates scalability and a stronger client experience, while reducing reactivity, burnout, and advisor bottlenecks. They also offer practical challenges advisors can implement immediately to redesign their phone and scheduling processes in ways that elevate both team culture and enterprise value. Consider subscribing for continued insights from USA Financial: https://www.youtube.com/@USA-Financial For more of The RARE Advisor: https://www.usafinancial.com/insights/rare The RARE Advisor is also a podcast! Subscribe today via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your preferred podcast listening service for easier on-the-go listening. The RARE Advisor is a business model supercharged by Recurring And Repeatable Events. With decades of experience coaching successful advisors, your host, along with other leaders in the industry, discusses what it takes to grow a successful practice. With the aim of helping financial professionals and financial advisors take their business to the next level, this podcast shares insights and success stories that will make a real impact. Regardless of the stage of your practice, The RARE Advisor will provide thoughtful guidance, suggestions for developing systems and processes that work, and ideas for creating an authentic experience for your clients. Contact us: Phone (888) 444-0125 https://www.usafinancial.com/ https://www.facebook.com/usafinancial/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/usafinancial Powered by USA Financial #usafinancial #advisoradvancement #therareadvisor #rareadvisor

    22 min
  2. Financial Advisor Marketing Playbook: The Psychology Behind Your CTA: Why Prospects Don't Click "Book a Call"

    FEB 3

    Financial Advisor Marketing Playbook: The Psychology Behind Your CTA: Why Prospects Don't Click "Book a Call"

    In this episode of Financial Advisor Marketing Playbook, Mark Mersman breaks down the real psychological barriers that stop prospects from clicking "book a call" on an advisor's website—and how small language and design changes can dramatically improve conversions. Mark explains why the true competitor isn't another advisor but uncertainty, and how fear of being sold, feeling uninformed, unclear expectations, time‑commitment anxiety, and emotional vulnerability all contribute to hesitation. You'll learn practical, compliant fixes including softer CTA language, expectation statements, empathy‑based messaging, simplified design, and reassurance techniques that lower emotional friction. If you want a website that encourages prospects to take the first step confidently, this episode delivers actionable guidance advisors can implement immediately. The Financial Advisor Marketing Playbook is a podcast/video series for high-performing financial planning professionals that are committed to improving their craft, helping their clients, and growing their business. Hosted by Mark Mersman, Chief Marketing Officer at USA Financial, this series contains a wide variety of content – from quick win ideas to long-form interviews, each episode provides actionable marketing ideas and insights that can be implemented easily into your practice. From digital marketing to traditional direct-response marketing, each episode delivers straight-forward and engaging content that any financial professional can use to improve their bottom line and grow their practice. Consider subscribing for continued insights from USA Financial: https://www.youtube.com/@USA-Financial For more of the Financial Advisor Marketing Playbook: https://www.usafinancial.com/insights/financial-advisor-marketing-playbook Contact us: Phone (888) 444-0125 https://www.usafinancial.com/ https://www.facebook.com/usafinancial/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/usafinancial Powered by USA Financial #usafinancial #advisoradvancement

    13 min
  3. The RARE Advisor: How Advisors Can Get 10 Hours Back Every Week

    JAN 22

    The RARE Advisor: How Advisors Can Get 10 Hours Back Every Week

    In this episode of The RARE Advisor, host Aaron Grady and USA Financial Pareto coach and practice management consultant Allan Oehrlein dive into time allocation as a core lever for advisory success. They unpack the biggest time drains—email, unsolicited calls, and open-door interruptions—and lay out a practical framework for calendar rebalancing that starts with personal time, management time, client appointments, dedicated communications windows, "work on the business" time, and high-impact growth activities. With real-world stories showing how advisors shift from reactive days to structured weeks (and even reclaim Fridays), Aaron and Allan share easy-to-implement tips: color coding calendars, scheduling buffers, daily huddles, and call/appointment protocols. If you're ready to audit your calendar, define your ideal week, and create structure that truly liberates your practice, this conversation is your next step. Consider subscribing for continued insights from USA Financial: https://www.youtube.com/@USA-Financial For more of The RARE Advisor: https://www.usafinancial.com/insights/rare The RARE Advisor is also a podcast! Subscribe today via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your preferred podcast listening service for easier on-the-go listening. The RARE Advisor is a business model supercharged by Recurring And Repeatable Events. With decades of experience coaching successful advisors, your host, along with other leaders in the industry, discusses what it takes to grow a successful practice. With the aim of helping financial professionals and financial advisors take their business to the next level, this podcast shares insights and success stories that will make a real impact. Regardless of the stage of your practice, The RARE Advisor will provide thoughtful guidance, suggestions for developing systems and processes that work, and ideas for creating an authentic experience for your clients. Contact us: Phone (888) 444-0125 https://www.usafinancial.com/ https://www.facebook.com/usafinancial/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/usafinancial Powered by USA Financial #usafinancial #advisoradvancement #therareadvisor #rareadvisor

    31 min
  4. Financial Advisor Marketing Playbook: What Billion-Dollar Brands Teach Advisors About Client Loyalty

    JAN 20

    Financial Advisor Marketing Playbook: What Billion-Dollar Brands Teach Advisors About Client Loyalty

    In this episode of the Financial Advisor Marketing Playbook, Mark Mersman explores what billion-dollar consumer brands like Peloton, Apple, Airbnb, Disney, and Starbucks understand about loyalty—and how financial advisors can apply these lessons to their own practices. Discover why loyalty is emotional, not transactional, and learn practical strategies to create belonging, simplify your process, showcase identity, design unforgettable experiences, and personalize client interactions. Tune in to transform your value proposition and build a community your clients never want to leave. The Financial Advisor Marketing Playbook is a podcast/video series for high-performing financial planning professionals that are committed to improving their craft, helping their clients, and growing their business. Hosted by Mark Mersman, Chief Marketing Officer at USA Financial, this series contains a wide variety of content – from quick win ideas to long-form interviews, each episode provides actionable marketing ideas and insights that can be implemented easily into your practice. From digital marketing to traditional direct-response marketing, each episode delivers straight-forward and engaging content that any financial professional can use to improve their bottom line and grow their practice. Consider subscribing for continued insights from USA Financial: https://www.youtube.com/@USA-Financial For more of the Financial Advisor Marketing Playbook: https://www.usafinancial.com/insights/financial-advisor-marketing-playbook Contact us: Phone (888) 444-0125 https://www.usafinancial.com/ https://www.facebook.com/usafinancial/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/usafinancial Powered by USA Financial #usafinancial #advisoradvancement #futurezeros

    20 min
  5. RARE Advisor: Continuity Plans vs. Succession Plans: Why Every Advisory Practice Needs Both

    JAN 8

    RARE Advisor: Continuity Plans vs. Succession Plans: Why Every Advisory Practice Needs Both

    What's the difference between a continuity plan and a succession plan—and why does your advisory practice need both? In this episode of The Rare Advisor, Aaron Grady breaks down these two essential strategies, explains how they protect your firm from unexpected events and prepare you for long-term success, and shares practical steps to start building or improving your plans. If you want to safeguard your business, elevate your professionalism, and protect your legacy, this episode is a must-watch. Consider subscribing for continued insights from USA Financial: https://www.youtube.com/@USA-Financial For more of The RARE Advisor: https://www.usafinancial.com/insights/rare The RARE Advisor is a business model supercharged by Recurring And Repeatable Events. With decades of experience coaching successful advisors, your host, along with other leaders in the industry, discusses what it takes to grow a successful practice. With the aim of helping financial professionals and financial advisors take their business to the next level, this podcast shares insights and success stories that will make a real impact. Regardless of the stage of your practice, The RARE Advisor will provide thoughtful guidance, suggestions for developing systems and processes that work, and ideas for creating an authentic experience for your clients. Contact us: Phone (888) 444-0125 https://www.usafinancial.com/ https://www.facebook.com/usafinancial/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/usafinancial Powered by USA Financial #usafinancial #advisoradvancement #therareadvisor #rareadvisor

    13 min
  6. Financial Advisor Marketing Playbook: Behavioral Finance, Simplified: 5 Biases Advisors Must Use in Their Marketing

    12/30/2025

    Financial Advisor Marketing Playbook: Behavioral Finance, Simplified: 5 Biases Advisors Must Use in Their Marketing

    In this episode of Financial Advisor's Marketing Playbook, host Mark Mersman breaks down five core behavioral biases—loss aversion, status quo bias, anchoring, choice overload, and social proof—and shows how each can be translated into clear, compliant marketing messages that resonate with real human decision-making. You'll learn how to reduce cognitive load, make emotion visible, eliminate friction, and set deliberate anchors in your website copy, emails, seminars, and first meetings. If you want your marketing to reflect how clients actually think and choose advisors, this practical framework will help you shift from a purely logical approach to one that validates emotions first—and earns trust that clients can later justify with facts. The Financial Advisor Marketing Playbook is a podcast/video series for high-performing financial planning professionals that are committed to improving their craft, helping their clients, and growing their business. Hosted by Mark Mersman, Chief Marketing Officer at USA Financial, this series contains a wide variety of content – from quick win ideas to long-form interviews, each episode provides actionable marketing ideas and insights that can be implemented easily into your practice. From digital marketing to traditional direct-response marketing, each episode delivers straight-forward and engaging content that any financial professional can use to improve their bottom line and grow their practice. Consider subscribing for continued insights from USA Financial: https://www.youtube.com/@USA-Financial For more of the Financial Advisor Marketing Playbook: https://www.usafinancial.com/insights/financial-advisor-marketing-playbook Contact us: Phone (888) 444-0125 https://www.usafinancial.com/ https://www.facebook.com/usafinancial/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/usafinancial Powered by USA Financial #usafinancial #advisoradvancement #futurezeros

    27 min
  7. RARE Advisor: Year-End Planning with Purpose: Becoming the Advisor of the Future

    11/25/2025

    RARE Advisor: Year-End Planning with Purpose: Becoming the Advisor of the Future

    In this episode of The RARE Advisor, Aaron Grady and Duncan MacPherson explore how financial advisors can approach year-end planning with intention and purpose. Rather than focusing solely on metrics and spreadsheets, they discuss the importance of aligning your "why" with your process and practice. Drawing on Japanese philosophies like Ikigai, Kaizen, Kintsugi, and Wabi Sabi, they share insights on creating a more meaningful, resilient, and sustainable business. Learn how embracing continuous improvement, authenticity, and technology can help you become the advisor of the future. Consider subscribing for continued insights from USA Financial: https://www.youtube.com/@USA-Financial For more of The RARE Advisor: https://www.usafinancial.com/insights/rare The RARE Advisor is a business model supercharged by Recurring And Repeatable Events. With decades of experience coaching successful advisors, your host, along with other leaders in the industry, discusses what it takes to grow a successful practice. With the aim of helping financial professionals and financial advisors take their business to the next level, this podcast shares insights and success stories that will make a real impact. Regardless of the stage of your practice, The RARE Advisor will provide thoughtful guidance, suggestions for developing systems and processes that work, and ideas for creating an authentic experience for your clients. Contact us: Phone (888) 444-0125 https://www.usafinancial.com/ https://www.facebook.com/usafinancial/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/usafinancial Powered by USA Financial #usafinancial #advisoradvancement #therareadvisor #rareadvisor

    36 min
  8. Financial Advisor Marketing Playbook: The Power of Storytelling: 3 Essential Stories Every Financial Advisor Needs

    11/18/2025

    Financial Advisor Marketing Playbook: The Power of Storytelling: 3 Essential Stories Every Financial Advisor Needs

    In this episode of Financial Advisor Marketing Playbook, Mark Mersman reveals how storytelling can transform your marketing and client relationships. Learn the three foundational stories every advisor needs: your origin story to build trust, your client transformation story to demonstrate results and empathy, and your philosophy story to define your beliefs and differentiate your brand. Discover practical tips for crafting these narratives and integrating them into your website, meetings, and marketing strategy. The Financial Advisor Marketing Playbook is a podcast/video series for high-performing financial planning professionals that are committed to improving their craft, helping their clients, and growing their business. Hosted by Mark Mersman, Chief Marketing Officer at USA Financial, this series contains a wide variety of content – from quick win ideas to long-form interviews, each episode provides actionable marketing ideas and insights that can be implemented easily into your practice. From digital marketing to traditional direct-response marketing, each episode delivers straight-forward and engaging content that any financial professional can use to improve their bottom line and grow their practice. Consider subscribing for continued insights from USA Financial: https://www.youtube.com/@USA-Financial For more of the Financial Advisor Marketing Playbook: https://www.usafinancial.com/insights/financial-advisor-marketing-playbook Contact us: Phone (888) 444-0125 https://www.usafinancial.com/ https://www.facebook.com/usafinancial/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/usafinancial Powered by USA Financial #usafinancial #advisoradvancement #futurezeros

    17 min
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Advisor Advancement is a network for independent financial advisors from industry professionals. Powering the entrepreneurial spirit of the financial advisor profession, we cover topics like practice management, marketing, compliance, business development, and much more.

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