Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How does MarFi Advisors differ from other marketing and business consultants or coaches?

MarFi Advisors take a hands-on approach; we help you execute. Our approach is all-inclusive, 'holistic' if you will, and helps improve your practice through involving ourselves in your success.  Our list of services and practical solutions means that we offer real-world changes that make a substantive difference.  In a very real sense, we become your Chief Marketing Officer; a part of your team.

What are some of those 'services?'

Among other things, we'll write your bios for you, plan your VIP events, offer monthly tactical strategies on how to close more business, offer advanced sales/negotiation training and prepare targeted gift and seasonal marketing ideas.

These are not cookie-cutter services, but instead tailored specifically to your practice.  Our approach includes the 'action' step and not just the plan.

What expertise do you bring to the table?

MarFi Advisors' principal is Antoinette Rodriguez.   A former financial advisor in Merrill Lynch's Downtown New York City headquarters, Ms. Rodriguez holds a B.S. in finance and an M.B.A. in Total Quality Management.

With 24 years of sales, marketing and affluent target market experience, she is the creator of the Total Quality Marketing program (TQMK) ^TM.  Ms. Rodriguez is an author and award-winning marketing consultant.  She coaches senior financial advisor teams on he east and west coast. Her expertise lies in the areas of marketing to the affluent and business process improvement.

MarFi Advisors' brings together a talent pool of expertise in professional copy writing, graphic design, business strategy, family and wealth dynamics and event planning. In addition, we provide customized Financial Advisor sales and marketing training for you and your staff.  We are constantly adding new, innovative and timely marketing strategies to help grow your business.

Can you describe your typical client?

There are a few segments within the advisor community that we focus our services on. This is not to say that our process improvements and marketing guidance are not germane to a wider audience, but these segments will derive great value from our services:

• Senior Financial Advisors
• Advisors whose focus market is the 'millionaire next door' and other affluent clients
• The client seeking to take their practice to the next level
• Clients open to new, exciting and innovative approaches to marketing
• Advisors who have recently transitioned from another firm
• Those advisors who have had their assets under management reduced, or who have lost clients as a result of current economic conditions

Why do I need an in-depth marketing and strategic business plan first?

A ship without a rudder is destined to go somewhere, but not likely where its pilot wants to go. MarFi Advisors creates a comprehensive, detailed marketing and strategic business plan that takes your practice to a predetermined destination. Without this plan, your practice is much like a rudderless ship, adrift without achievable goals.

Similar to a financial plan, we have found that our clients benefit greatly from a blueprint, timeline and tactical strategies. The plan helps ensure your marketing program is actually implemented.

Why do you include business process improvement in your services?

Our approach would be one-sided if we didn't take a comprehensive approach to improving your practice and bottom line. Marketing is invariably hindered by time management or process issues. If we improved one area without the other, the end result would be compromised.

We have created a set of best practices for your business processes that we will share with you as part of our services.

Does MarFi Advisors have references I can check?

Yes, we have excellent letters of testimonial, as well as references that are available upon request.

How do I begin taking advantage of MarFi's services for my practice?

Step 1:            Set up an initial complimentary consultation to determine a proper fit between MarFi Advisors and your practice.

Step 2:            Schedule consulting sessions to review the information needed for your marketing and business plan

Step 3:            Review your strategic marketing and business plan

Step 4:            If you decide to take advantage of the services provided by MarFi Advisors, we would then enter into a minimum six month engagement with a 60 day 'out' clause. We are confident you will find real value in the benefits we provide.

Are your services applicable to the practices of other professionals?

Yes, our marketing strategies and process improvements can provide great benefits to CPA's, attorneys or insurance agents and brokers whose business model is directed at an affluent clientele. MarFi Advisors can help those professionals establish a brand identity that differentiates their practices from the competition.