Advocis conference update: Speaker outlines tips to take client events from average to awesome

By John Craig | June 19, 2003 | Last updated on June 19, 2003
4 min read
  • “Bold and aggressive” plan unveiled to reposition regulatory model
  • Insider tips on buying a book of business
  • Panel discusses economics, investment, U.S. and good times ahead for Canada
  • Speaker outlines tips to take client events from average to awesome
  • BONUS TOOL: Your client communications guide for the last six months of 2003 Back to Advocis conference wrap-up main page

    Having since hosted similarly successful events with speakers such as world-renowned animal researcher Dr. Jane Goodall, Burylo told his audience an inspirational tale about his dentist, who put on a sold-out, 4,000-person event featuring best-selling author Dr. Deepak Chopra that included a private reception and book signing for the dentist’s clients. “Do you think that I won’t be telling everybody about that story for the rest of my life?” enthused Burylo. “It was amazing, and that was a dentist — if he can do it, I’m sure you can.”

    To help other advisors host their own awesome client events to make them stand out from the competition, Burylo offered up advice in the following four areas:

    1. Participants. Segmentation and inviting the clients who will bring you the biggest return is key, as is creating a sense of exclusivity. Burylo also suggested teaming up with a like-minded advisor to do a joint event or hosting an event with other allied professionals such as accountants, lawyers or real estate agent.

    2. Venue and activity. Traditional venues like hotel conference rooms lack creativity and cost a lot to boot. Try to link the theme of your event with your venue. Burylo gave some examples of some creative Calgary locations he has either hosted or attended an outstanding event — the zoo, the planetarium and the tower of the ski jump at Olympic Park. A quick venue excitement test: “Write down as if you were going to invite the client to the activity venue and see if you can put an exclamation mark after it.”

    3. Communications. Always send a creative invitation. Always ask for an RSVP. And always send a ticket for the event. “[The ticket] is not only a statement of value, it’s the kind of thing that sits on their fridge and gets shelf life, and it goes from being almost sure that they’re going to show up to 99.9% sure they’re going to show up.”

    4. Lasting memories. Suggesting that a great speaker can “impact a client for life,” Burylo emphasized that advisors have the opportunity to give clients “something more important than their portfolio that they can take with them.”

    • • •

    For more client appreciation ideas and events, click here.

    • • •

    Filed by John Craig, Advisor.ca, jcraig@advisor.ca.

    (06/19/03)

    John Craig

  • Association elects new national board for 2003-2004
  • “Bold and aggressive” plan unveiled to reposition regulatory model
  • Insider tips on buying a book of business
  • Panel discusses economics, investment, U.S. and good times ahead for Canada
  • Speaker outlines tips to take client events from average to awesome
  • BONUS TOOL: Your client communications guide for the last six months of 2003 Back to Advocis conference wrap-up main page

    Having since hosted similarly successful events with speakers such as world-renowned animal researcher Dr. Jane Goodall, Burylo told his audience an inspirational tale about his dentist, who put on a sold-out, 4,000-person event featuring best-selling author Dr. Deepak Chopra that included a private reception and book signing for the dentist’s clients. “Do you think that I won’t be telling everybody about that story for the rest of my life?” enthused Burylo. “It was amazing, and that was a dentist — if he can do it, I’m sure you can.”

    To help other advisors host their own awesome client events to make them stand out from the competition, Burylo offered up advice in the following four areas:

    1. Participants. Segmentation and inviting the clients who will bring you the biggest return is key, as is creating a sense of exclusivity. Burylo also suggested teaming up with a like-minded advisor to do a joint event or hosting an event with other allied professionals such as accountants, lawyers or real estate agent.

    2. Venue and activity. Traditional venues like hotel conference rooms lack creativity and cost a lot to boot. Try to link the theme of your event with your venue. Burylo gave some examples of some creative Calgary locations he has either hosted or attended an outstanding event — the zoo, the planetarium and the tower of the ski jump at Olympic Park. A quick venue excitement test: “Write down as if you were going to invite the client to the activity venue and see if you can put an exclamation mark after it.”

    3. Communications. Always send a creative invitation. Always ask for an RSVP. And always send a ticket for the event. “[The ticket] is not only a statement of value, it’s the kind of thing that sits on their fridge and gets shelf life, and it goes from being almost sure that they’re going to show up to 99.9% sure they’re going to show up.”

    4. Lasting memories. Suggesting that a great speaker can “impact a client for life,” Burylo emphasized that advisors have the opportunity to give clients “something more important than their portfolio that they can take with them.”

    • • •

    For more client appreciation ideas and events, click here.

    • • •

    Filed by John Craig, Advisor.ca, jcraig@advisor.ca.

    (06/19/03)