Dr. Clemen Chiang

expert panel

Building customer relationships is easier when you start from a place of trust and empathy. Whether someone is a financial adviser, planner or financial business owner, being new to the industry comes with its own set of challenges — especially when it comes to finding that first client. While you may have the right credentials and the passion for helping others with their money, you must also work to convince potential clients that you’re the right person for the job.  But unlike entrepreneurs who have a particular product to sell, you won’t be able to rely on your product's features and benefits to help persuade them. You’ll instead need to focus on what you can offer that no one else can. To help get you started, the financial leaders of Kiplinger Advisor Collective offer their best advice for securing your first client — and what worked best for them — no matter the niche you serve.

expert panel

Trust, like in any relationship, takes time to develop. There are few topics more personal than someone’s finances. Money determines the way someone is able to live their life, and the various experiences, issues and successes they have with it can impact not only what they do but also who they are. Accepting guidance and advice on how to best handle money can be a big ask, so building trust as an adviser and/or financial services expert is essential if you want to succeed in this career path. But building this type of deep trust doesn’t happen right away; it must be earned, and the best advisers know what it takes to do so. Here, nine members of Kiplinger Advisor Collective share their best advice for building a trusting relationship with a client and how doing so will enhance your credibility and success in the financial industry.

expert panel

If your dream of homeownership feels out of reach, these expert-recommended tips can bring you closer to realizing your goal. Decades ago, homeownership was a realistic goal for many people. In recent years, sky-high real estate prices and increased costs of living have made it harder for would-be buyers to envision themselves ever achieving that milestone. Though the path to homeownership can be difficult in today's economy, it's still possible with the right strategies. Here, members of Kiplinger Advisor Collective recommend practical tips for moving the needle on your goal of owning a home.

expert panel

Be someone your clients can trust and learn to lean on for some of their most personal decisions. Growing at a rate much faster than the average rate for all other occupations, the job outlook for personal financial advisers entering the field is a bright one, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. And while no industry seems immune from technological and cultural changes, many of the factors that made someone a successful financial adviser years ago are likely to make someone successful now. It’s all about understanding your clients and offering a service they can’t get from anyone else. Having each been in the financial industry for some time now, the advisers and financial experts of Kiplinger Advisor Collective know what it takes to build successful businesses in the advising space. Below, they offer their top tips for anyone new to the industry on what they can do to set themselves apart and launch a profitable business from the ground up.

article

Taking a proactive approach to AI in investing can lead to more responsible and positive outcomes.

expert panel

Use these practical strategies to help you navigate seasonal spending in a less stressful way. Amid all the joy and cheer the end of the year brings, the holidays can be a hectic — and expensive — time. Purchasing gifts for loved ones, making travel plans, attending parties and enjoying the multitude of festive celebrations and events that crop up can end up putting a strain on one’s finances and detracting from the positive spirit of the season.  But whether money is a bit tight this year or you are working toward a particular financial goal, you don’t have to sacrifice holiday cheer to stay on track with your spending. Consider implementing one or more of the following tips, as recommended by the financial experts of Kiplinger Advisor Collective, to help you avoid overspending and enjoy this special time with your family and friends.