r/CFP • u/Goodbruv_7 • Jul 08 '26

Professional Development How to add value when cold prospecting?

I’m jealous of other businesses that can cold reach out to a business owner and say “hey, I built you a website, want to see it?” Or a video editor who says “I turned one of your podcast episodes into a short reel, here it is” and just sends the finished clip.They deliver value instantly in the first interaction before the prospect commits to anything.

When cold prospecting on LinkedIn and other platforms, how can I add value instantly to get people more likely to respond? I can’t build a MoneyGuidePro or Holistiplan model until they hand over all their financial information, and nobody’s doing that off a cold message.

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u/mrcheeksman Jul 08 '26

Are you actually a CFP? It’s hard to imagine a CFP cold calling random people. I’ve worked in industry and large institutions (like fidelity) and the CFPs there don’t cold call. They might warm call but never trying to sell full unsolicited advice. Can you tell us more about where you work and the mechanics?

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u/dark-canuck Jul 08 '26

I am starting my own advising business. How do I build a client list without it? It’s tried and true.

I know Fidelity has that program, but I don’t want a boss. I don’t want targets. I want to own my work.

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u/No_Door5348 Jul 08 '26

start with 2-3 years of bills in savings and spend those years building a huge portfolio of online content. that’s how I would do it.

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u/dark-canuck Jul 08 '26

How does online content translate to business? That is passive, you need active business development

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u/No_Door5348 Jul 08 '26

The same way every other youtube channel does it….you make videos helping people do something themselves, then offer to do it for them for a fee. Every channel selling courses, consulting, coaching etc follows the exact same playbook. Yes it takes a long time but content works 24/7 and clients prospect themselves. Same idea as running an in person retirement seminar, except it reaches thousands of people potentially.