How Financial Advisers Can Grow Through Client Referrals: A Data-Driven Approach

Client referrals remain one of the most powerful growth strategies for financial advisers across Britain. According to research from NextWealth, over 80% of established advisers cite referrals as their primary source of new business. They come with a built-in level of trust, are typically more cost-effective than other marketing methods, and often result in longer-term, higher-quality client relationships. But in today’s digital world, relying on referrals to happen ‘organically’ is no longer enough.

Financial Planner Marketing Guide: Insights from The Advice Gap 2024 Report

Executive Summary

This comprehensive financial planner marketing guide harnesses key insights from The Advice Gap 2024 report to help UK financial advisers develop effective marketing strategies. As the advisory landscape evolves, financial planners need targeted marketing strategies for financial services that address changing client needs and regulatory requirements.

Why This Guide Is Essential for Financial Advisers

The financial advice landscape in Britain is transforming rapidly. Only 9% of consumers paid for financial advice in the past two years (down from 11%), while Consumer Duty regulations have prompted over 50% of advice firms to stop serving clients with lower investable assets. This guide provides actionable marketing for financial advisers strategies to navigate these changes successfully.

How Financial Advisers Can Elevate Client Experience and Drive Growth

In today’s competitive financial advisory landscape, delivering exceptional client experiences isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential for practice growth and sustainability. With increasing commoditization of investment products and growing fee pressure, how advisers engage with clients has become a key differentiator.

The Client Experience Opportunity

Research consistently shows that client experience drives loyalty, referrals, and retention:

• According to a recent study by Vanguard, advisers who excel at client experience generate 75% more referrals than their peers
• McKinsey research indicates that clients who report excellent experiences are 2.4x more likely to stay with their current adviser
• High-satisfaction clients typically entrust more of their assets to their adviser and are less price-sensitive

For financial advisers looking to build sustainable practices, systematic client experience improvements represent perhaps the highest-ROI marketing activity available.