Markets have been rewarding “safe.” That’s true in portfolios… and it’s also true in marketing.
Worth a listen on your commute: Rory Vaden on the Business of Advice — Is Your Reputation Working for You?
https://businessofadvicepodcast.com/rory-vaden-is-your-reputation-working-for-you/
- People trust the pro they recognize—your reputation is either working… or freeloading.
- Simplify focus with 1+1+1+1 (most advisors are split-focus champions… and it’s costing them). One audience, one problem, one message, one model
- Repurpose smarter: “Content Diamond” turns one good idea into dozens of assets.
Action: Record one 3–5 minute video this week. Cut it into clips. Post it. Email it. Let your reputation do reps.
Here are your Quick Hits:
Safety is the only thing that’s worked in the stock market
- “Defense” has been leading while the high-flying stuff has cooled off.
- A good reminder that risk-on isn’t a strategy—it’s a season.
- Great client-facing angle: “winning” doesn’t always look exciting.
Action: Use this to tee up a simple portfolio story: participate, but don’t bet the retirement on one theme.
The hidden retirement landmine: sequence-of-returns risk
- It’s not just what returns you get—it’s when you get them.
- Withdrawals + volatility can create damage that later rebounds don’t fully fix.
- Easy educational content for radio and client emails (people get this fast).
- Action: Build/refresh a 12–24 month “paycheck buffer” plan for clients entering retirement.
Social Security 2026 update (real numbers, not vibes)
- 2026 COLA is 2.8% (clean, credible, and straight from SSA).
- Great for clients asking “is inflation still a thing?” without getting political.
- Lets you talk coordination: claiming strategy + taxes + Medicare + income plan.
Action: Send a quick “What the 2026 COLA means for you” note—then offer a 15-min check-in.
Gold hits records… and Buffett still isn’t impressed
- Timely conversation starter when clients get “doom-and-gloom” ideas from headlines.
- Helpful distinction: hedge vs. long-term compounding engine.
- Gives you permission to say: “small allocation maybe… obsession, no.”
Action: If clients ask about gold, answer with a rule: “diversifier, not a destiny.”