How Many Client Events Should RIAs Host Each Year? (And What Kinds Actually Work)
Client events aren’t just a nice touch—they’re one of the best ways to deepen relationships, generate referrals, and build loyalty in your firm.
But many RIAs struggle with questions like:
How often should we host events?
Should they be educational or social?
What about virtual events—do they even work?
The good news: you don’t need to host events constantly to make an impact. A thoughtful cadence and a mix of formats can turn occasional events into a core part of your client experience.
Here’s how to think about it.
The Magic Number: 3–6 Events Per Year
Most high-performing RIAs host 3 to 6 client events per year, depending on firm size, client base, and capacity.
Here’s a simple structure to aim for:
2–3 in-person events (social, appreciation, educational, or charitable)
2–3 virtual events (updates, workshops, Q&As, or lifestyle content)
That’s enough to stay connected, deepen value, and make clients feel part of something—without overwhelming your calendar or budget.
Types of In-Person Events That Work
1. Client Appreciation Dinners or Happy Hours
Keep it relaxed, no slides required. Just gratitude, conversation, and good food.
2. Charity or Volunteer Events
Invite clients to a day of service or host a donation drive. Let clients nominate causes.
Bonus: This builds shared values, not just shared assets.
3. Educational Workshops (But Not Boring)
Make it practical:
Planning for Retirement
Caring for Aging Parents
How to Talk to Adult Kids About Inheritance
Add wine, snacks, and time for mingling—keep it warm, not stiff.
4. “Bring-a-Friend” Events
Great for referrals. Examples:
Golf outing
Wine tasting
Cooking class
Women & Wealth brunch
Keep it light and social—just plant the seed that new guests are always welcome.
5. Seasonal Events
Summer BBQ
Fall pumpkin patch day for families
Holiday open house
These build emotional connection far beyond the financial.
Virtual Event Ideas (Beyond Market Updates)
Zoom fatigue is real—so make virtual events short, engaging, and high-value.
1. Quarterly Market + Planning Updates
Keep it to 20–30 minutes. Always tie back to what it means for the client, not just what’s happening in the market.
2. Guest Experts
CPAs during tax season
Estate attorneys
College planning pros
Medicare consultants
You host. They teach. Everyone wins.
3. Client Town Halls
Let clients ask any question—financial or otherwise. Be transparent, calm, and available.
4. Lifestyle or Life Planning Webinars
Topics like:
Decluttering finances
Travel in retirement
Values-based goal setting
Health & wellness for busy professionals
Think beyond money. You’re helping them live well, not just invest.
Tips to Make Events Worth It
Invite personally. A personal email or call goes way further than a Mailchimp blast.
Encourage +1s. Referral events shouldn’t be labeled that way—but make it easy to bring a friend.
Follow up thoughtfully. Send thank-you notes, slides, recordings, or a recap with takeaways.
Use events as content. Share highlights on social, write a recap blog post, or film a 30-second thank-you video.
Measure success differently. It’s not about RSVPs—it’s about connection, loyalty, and deepening trust.
Final Thought: Don’t Just Host Events—Host Moments
Client events aren’t just boxes to check. They’re opportunities to show who you are outside of quarterly statements and planning meetings.
You don’t need fancy venues or huge budgets. You need to show up—with intention, warmth, and generosity.
Because when you do, your clients don’t just stay.
They bring others with them.
Want a sample event calendar for the year—or help crafting invites or post-event follow-ups that feel human? I’d be happy to help.
4o
You said:
Now do one on how RIAs can speak int rh community at community colleges or other events to potentially get clients. What other places can they talk: library?
ChatGPT said:
Absolutely—here’s a blog post tailored for RIAs on how to speak in the community to build visibility, trust, and eventually win new clients. It includes specific venues, tips for speaking, and how to do it in a non-salesy way that builds real relationships.
How RIAs Can Speak in the Community to Build Trust and Win Clients (Without Sounding Salesy)
When it comes to growing your RIA, the best opportunities often aren’t online—they’re right in your own backyard.
Speaking at local events and institutions is one of the most powerful ways to:
Build visibility
Establish trust
Educate your community
And quietly earn new clients over time
But where should you speak? What should you talk about? And how do you do it without sounding like a sales pitch?
Let’s break it down.
Where RIAs Can Speak in the Community
You don’t need a TED stage to make an impact. These local spots are hungry for trustworthy speakers who can educate—not sell:
1. Community Colleges
Financial literacy for young adults
Intro to budgeting and investing
Retirement planning for adult students or continuing ed
Reach out to professors or continuing education coordinators. They often welcome outside experts.
2. Public Libraries
Libraries frequently host free workshops—and they love trusted professionals who can teach topics like:
“How to Make a Financial Plan That Actually Works”
“Investing 101”
“Social Security: What You Need to Know Before Filing”
Pro tip: Offer a handout or checklist clients can take home (with your info on it).
3. Chambers of Commerce
Many chambers host monthly lunches or networking breakfasts and love speakers who can offer value to their business-owner members.
Talk topics might include:
Tax-smart retirement planning for entrepreneurs
How to exit your business without burning it down
Personal finance strategies for small business owners
4. Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis, Lions Clubs, and Alumni Associations
These community groups often meet weekly and are always looking for good speakers. Keep it accessible, relatable, and interactive.
5. Local Churches or Faith-Based Groups
Topics like stewardship, values-aligned investing, or leaving a legacy can resonate in these settings.
Be sensitive to tone, and make it about service and education—not selling.
6. HR and Wellness Programs at Local Employers
Offer a lunch-and-learn on:
“The 5 Biggest Mistakes People Make with Their 401(k)”
“How to Build a Confident Retirement Plan”
“Financial Planning for New Parents”
Many HR teams are eager to add value through financial wellness education—especially if it’s free.
7. Libraries, Parks & Rec, or Adult Learning Centers
Cities and towns often offer community education classes for adults—everything from tax help to estate planning.
You can volunteer to lead one and position yourself as the local expert.
What Should You Talk About? (Keep It Educational + Actionable)
Topics that resonate:
How to plan for retirement in your 50s and 60s
What to know about Social Security and Medicare
The basics of investing (especially during uncertain markets)
How to talk to your kids about money
Estate planning and organizing your financial life
Smart tax moves before year-end
Make it clear, helpful, and jargon-free. Leave people saying, “Wow, I actually understood that.”
Tips to Make Your Talk Memorable (and Lead to Clients, Eventually)
1. Lead with value—not your bio
Briefly say who you are, but spend 95% of the time teaching, not talking about your firm.
2. Use stories, not spreadsheets
Make abstract ideas real. Share anonymous client stories (with permission) that people can relate to.
3. Offer a free takeaway
A one-page checklist, retirement timeline, or guide (with your logo/contact info) builds trust and gives them something to act on.
4. Use a sign-up sheet or QR code
Offer a free “Retirement Readiness Review” or a helpful resource in exchange for an email address.
5. Follow up gently
Send a thank-you email, a link to the materials, and an invite to connect. No pressure. Just value.
Why This Works (Even If No One Becomes a Client Right Away)
You’re playing the long game. Speaking in your community builds:
Trust
Familiarity
Credibility
Local name recognition
When those people (or their friends, or their parents) do need help, guess who they’ll remember?
The advisor who gave their time without asking for anything in return.
Final Thought: You Don’t Need a Huge Audience. You Need Real Ones.
Five people in a library meeting room > 500 anonymous impressions on social media.
Start where you are. Teach what you know. And show up with heart.
Because the best kind of marketing doesn’t feel like marketing—it feels like service.
Want help crafting a talk outline, one-pager, or slide deck for your next community event? I can help with that—just say the word.
