Ever since I’ve started helping people learn how to use the system, I’ve had very good results in explaining why Financial Advisors want to use LinkedIn.
When I returned to some of my contacts to see if I could teach the entire office, the reaction was always luke-warm – even though the individual was ecstatic about the potential. At one point, one of them clued me in – as a potential mechanism to contact clients, the IT staff of their organization wasn’t keen about LinkedIn.
This week I found another article with a different issue that might get in the way…
As seen in the Financial Advisor Magazine
To read the article for yourself, check out “LinkedIn May Cause Issues For Advisors” on the fa-mag.com web site.
It’s short, sweet, and if you happen to be a Financial Advisor, you’re better off reading their specific advice. (but come back here when you’re done;-)
Regulated behavior
So ok – to be a Financial Advisor you have to follow a set of regulations. One of those regulations is that thou shalt not use testimonials about yourself or your advice.
I’m reasonably certain that’s so we as consumers don’t have to pick our way among dozens of Financial Advisors, all showing us glowing testimonials. (and you know, there’s always somebody in the group that will use fake numbers, and even without that, nobody can predict the future all of the time…)
So yes – a LinkedIn recommendation looks very much like a testimonial. (or rather, I can’t see a good way to construct a recommendation that talks about neither the individual or their advice and still presents something positive;-)
Know your field
So – I’m expecting that all Financial Advisors “know” the rules – and that you’ll know the rules about your own field.
And if you have rules to follow – make sure you do that! LinkedIn probably doesn’t count as a “free pass” for any of them…
To your continued success,
steve
—
Steven Tylock
http://www.linkedinpersonaltrainer.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/stevetylock
Hi Steve,
Thanks for sharing the information of LinkedIn use by financial advisors with your readers and subscribers.
LinkedIn continues to grow as a valuable resource for expanding connections and resources, but it is important that the platform not be used to circumvent rules and regulations that apply to a certain subset of professionals.
Bill,
Thanks for commenting – and for other readers, you can get to Bill’s article directly at http://fppad.com/2009/03/15/adviser-use-of-linkedin-may-violate-sec-rules/ (It is referenced through the link I’ve provided above, but I’ll save you a jump by including it here myself)
One thing that seems reasonable to me is that a Financial Advisor that has a previous career ought to be able to include recommendations for those previous jobs. Something like “Fred is a fine software developer” does not suggest that Fred is any better as a Financial Advisor than anyone else – but please don’t take my musings on this as legal or professional advice;-)
steve