Game-Changing “Women’s Choice Award” Helps Financial Advisors Reach Women Investors
San Diego, CA (PRWEB) July 17, 2013 -- It is the first and only Industry Recognition Award for firms and well-qualified advisors committed to serving women clients—and, it’s about time.
Women need financial advisors, and advisors need clients. Women hold more than half the wealth in this country and are projected to hold up to 63% by 2020. Yet, because women have traditionally been unsure where to turn for financial advice, only 20% of women investors have a financial advisor - but a full 70% would like to work with one.
The top firms and advisors know these facts, but statistically haven’t cracked the code to gaining women’s trust, distinguishing themselves, and securing a greater share of this ever-growing market. Many are missing the key ingredient that women rely on when it comes to making life decisions: women trust the opinions of other women.
This indisputable truth is the cornerstone of the Women’s Choice Award® program, originated by WomenCertified, Inc. and founder Delia Passi, the leading advocate for female consumers. The award is based on the collective voice of the female consumer, and was created to identify and recognize businesses that women trust in efforts to assist them in making smart purchasing decisions.
WomenCertified has teamed up with WIFE.org in bringing this award to the financial industry through the game-changing Women’s Choice Award® Financial Advisors program. WIFE is the oldest and most trusted non-profit devoted to female financial literacy and was co-founded by nationally acclaimed thought leaders in the women’s market, Candace Bahr and Ginita Wall. WIFE and WomenCertified reach a combined 200,000 female consumers each month with their online presence and newsletters.
The Women’s Choice Award Financial Programs put advisors and firms front and center as women search for advisors they can trust, giving them the competitive edge that comes only with the credibility and recognition of the Women’s Choice Award. Offerings include a program for financial services firms as well as one for individual financial advisors - both programs provide proven marketing-to-women strategies designed to attract, retain and satisfy female financial consumers.
The programs distinguish firms and advisors who provide quality service and strong commitment to female clientele through a vetting process respective to each. "What the programs have in common is a dedication to serving the needs of women investors and their families in a caring, supportive way that resonates with them," says WIFE co-founder and KPBS Hero, Ginita Wall. "We are proud to support the women we serve in making the most informed decision possible when it comes to choosing an advisor."
Firm recognition is based on an existing commitment to the women’s market through community outreach, educational support and services specific to women and couples. Advisor approval is based on 17 objective criteria, including a third party survey that provides valuable feedback for advisors, and augments the regulatory review history. Surveys are provided by Advisor Impact, a recognized leader on client engagement in the financial services industry.
Advisors who are identified through the process as eligible for the Women’s Choice Award will receive a basic listing for two years on the WomenCertified.com and WIFE.org roster of Women’s Choice Award® Financial Advisors at no additional cost. Advisors who want to truly distinguish themselves in the women’s market by showcasing their Women’s Choice Award recognition can participate in the optional enhanced marketing program, providing them with full licensing and marketing usage rights of the Women’s Choice Award, interactive enhanced online listings at WomensChoiceAward.com and WIFE.org including a landing page profile with photo and link to the advisor’s web site, a press release for distribution, online educational tools about marketing to women, a certificate suitable for framing, and preferred status for referrals and press contacts.
The first 100 advisors to qualify will be featured in a special full-page ad in USA Today, plus receive special benefits for two full years. Qualified firms that license the program during that period will also be featured in the congratulatory ad.
The Women’s Choice Award® Financial Advisor program has been designed to be in compliance with the requirements of the SEC, FINRA and state regulatory bodies, and the listing of Women’s Choice Award® Financial Advisors meets the eight factors put forth by the SEC when determining whether any advertisement is a testimonial that is false or misleading.
With the industry clamoring for answers on attracting and retaining more female clients, the Women’s Choice Award Financial Programs provide an answer by helping women narrow down their choices - with the wealth of options out there, awarded advisors and firms are sure to gain traction.
Advisors wishing to pre-qualify for the award and the chance to participate in the USA Today ad can find more information at http://www.wife.org/womens-choice-award/find-out-more/ .
ABOUT WIFE.ORG
The Women’s Institute for Financial Education (WIFE.org) is the oldest non-profit organization dedicated to providing financial education to women in their quest for financial independence. It was founded in 1988 by wealth management experts and KPBS Heroes Candace Bahr and Ginita Wall, who have a lifelong mission of helping women connect with resources that help them prosper and grow financially.
Bahr and Wall have been speaking nationally on behalf of their non-profit since it was founded in 1988, offering workshops and making media appearances on shows like NBC Nightly News, MSNBC, CBS This Morning, CNNfn, PBS and National Public Radio and they travel the country speaking to women’s conferences organized by State Treasurer offices.
WIFE.org was named one of the top 500 financial sites by “Online Investor,” and has captured the interest of women and the press seeking financial advice and information for women. For more information, visit http://www.WIFE.org.
ABOUT WOMENCERTIFIED
WomenCertified®, home to the Women’s Choice Awards, awards businesses and brands based on high recommendation ratings by female consumers. WomenCertified represents the collective voice of women so they can help each other identify businesses that deserve their loyalty and referrals. Through the prestigious Women’s Choice Award, WomenCertified has partnered with businesses such as Whirlpool, Overhead Door, Sealy, OshKosh B’gosh, Kaiser Permanente, and many more.
Delia Passi is CEO of WomenCertified Inc., the Home of the Women’s Choice Award and former Publisher of Working Mother and Working Woman magazines. Delia is the nation’s leading authority on selling to women and the nation’s leading female consumer advocate as seen on most major networks. Passi advises her corporate clients on how to better understand their female customers, and supports them in becoming the very best when it comes to increasing sales, improving customer service, and retaining the loyalty of these hard-earned consumers. Passi is the author of Winning the Toughest Customer: The Essential Guide to Selling to Women.
Her lifelong work is to empower women to make smart choices and as a result founded the Women’s Choice Award to simplify her choice based on the recommendation of other women. To learn more, visit http://www.womenschoiceaward.com
Elizabeth Bryan, Wife.org, 310-694-1754, [email protected]
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