Dierdra Van Nest is a communications expert who specializes in helping financial professionals boost their business and better serve consumers by making emotional connections with clients. She shared some of her insights with NAIFA Nation Impact Week’s Leadership Day participants.
4 min read
'Mr. Wonderful' Offers Insights on Leadership and the Markets for NAIFA Nation Impact Week
Kevin O’Leary, a.k.a., Mr. Wonderful from TV’s “Shark Tank” program, and his business partner Connor O’Brien addressed NAIFA’s Leadership Day and spoke about the ways COVID-19 is changing business and investment strategies, and how company leadership is crucial during a crisis and at normal times.
Topics: Investing Leadership
1 min read
Lawrence Holzberg, LUTCF, LACP Moves to Fortis Lux
Congratulations to our NAIFA National Secretary, Larry Holzberg, who has been appointed to Director of Insurance and Advance Sales for Fortis Lux. Fortis Lux is a comprehensive financial planning firm that offers wealth management, protection, risk management, trust and estate planning advice and solutions.
Topics: Members Industry News Leadership Press Release
2 min read
Learning to "Celebritize Yourself" in Business
The digital age has brought with it limitless sources of information and the chance to become noticed through the loudspeaker that is the Internet. But in an ever-increasing crowd, it's essential to know how to stand out.
That's what Marsha Friedman's book, "Celebritize Yourself: The Three Step Method to Increase Your Visibility and Explode Your Business," is about—creating a strong brand that transforms you into an industry celebrity.
"The term celebrity isn't just reserved for the stars we read about in the tabloids, but rather, it also refers to experts who are known for being at the top of their chosen fields, many times removed from movie and TV stars," Friedman says. "Whether you're a doctor, financial advisor, real estate broker or even a waiter, you can celebritize yourself."
Friedman focuses on three steps to accomplish this mission:
- Write. Many celebrity experts, including Zig Ziglar and Suze Orman, started out as authors. Even if you do not consider yourself as a writer, Friedman suggests turning your ideas into a book to define yourself as an expert. There are many professionals that can assist you in the process, including ghostwriters, co-authors and copywriters. These services aren't always cheap, but they can propel your credibility to the next level.
- Speak. It's also vital to spread the word about your industry knowledge, Friedman says. Use Internet platforms as well as real-life opportunities, such as speaking engagements, radio and TV interviews, to get your message out to anyone that will listen.
- Sell. Achieving "celebrity status" makes selling your brand—and thusyourself—an easier task. But not all media pitches are the same. It's key to consistently evaluate and improve your pitch so that it stands a chance of being noticed, Friedman says. Ask yourself if your pitch would perk your owninterest.
When you have become your brand and people trust what you say, people will become anxious for the opportunity to talk about your message.
"Celebrity is a powerful commodity; doors that were once closed can suddenly open," Friedman says. "People listen to what they ignored before. New business and money flows to you—not away from you. Most of all, people thank you for sharing your wisdom."
For more information and tips on this subject, visit www.celebritizeyourself.com.
Topics: Sales Referrals Grow Your Business Leadership
3 min read
What I’ve Learned about Selling for a Living
After 26-plus years as a successful salesperson, here is what I know to be true about sales.
Topics: Grow Your Business Leadership
3 min read
What Will Really Make You Happy?
The idea of a happy and meaningful life has become unnecessarily complicated in some circles. Happiness has been appropriately cited as a goal in political debates on issues from taxation to the social safety net to marriage equality, but the debate is often confused.
Topics: Grow Your Business Leadership
3 min read
The Secret to Enjoying a Long and Active Life
As many of you may know, I am intrigued with the subject of human longevity. I find it interesting to study why some people live long and active lives, while others depart this life earlier than planned. Certainly, in my own family, I watched my wife’s amazing grandmother who lived to age 104. My father, who died in June at the age of 89, drew Social Security retirement benefits for over a quarter of a century! What a life he experienced! From his youth during the Great Depression, to serving in World War II, and then following the American Dream through a 40-year career, Dad truly embodied what those of the “Greatest Generation” were about.
Topics: Retirement Grow Your Business Leadership
3 min read
5 Things Great Leaders Do
While there are several things to consider when asking yourself how you are doing, it’s prudent to focus on your attitudes and behaviors. These are the biggest differentiators between great leaders and failing leaders because they demonstrate the four core emotional intelligence metrics: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, and Relationship Management.
