Interview with AdviceTech.LIVE Speaker Kevin Mulhern of AdvisorStream

advisorstream

Kevin Mulhern
CEO and Co-Founder at AdvisorStream
AdvisorTech.LIVE Panel: Advisor Marketing Tech

How did you get your start in financial services?

I’ve always had a passion for economics and technology. I followed this interest by managing, designing, building, and deploying digital tools for Morgan Stanley, TD Waterhouse, and Richardson GMP (where I was a partner).

After 20 years of helping the biggest names in the industry grow through bleeding-edge technology, I realized that everyone—from the independent RIA to large financial firms - could benefit from digital marketing tools.

I launched AdvisorStream in 2016 and used my experience with financial services, technology, and client services to help advisors start meaningful and rewarding conversations with clients.

What’s something that you know now that you wish you’d known when you started your career?

When I first started my career, I wish I had realized how quickly technology grows and evolves. Technology that once took millions of dollars to create and manage is now affordable and accessible to the average advisor.

Don’t be afraid to embrace technology!

What excites you most about the financial advice profession right now?

The financial industry has gone through a lot of changes, and the one I’m most excited about is the focus on the client experience. More than ever, the financial services community is focused on putting the client and their experience first. This provides many opportunities to deliver world-class services, and digital marketing has become an integral part of this.

Advisors are creating remarkable and deeply immersive experiences using digital communications to address the needs of their clients, and we’ve only scratched the surface of this potential.

Is there something your company does that you don’t think advisors know about that they should be aware of?

AdvisorStream is more than just an advisor marketing platform, we’re ultimately partners committed to every advisor’s success. It’s like having your own marketing team dedicated to making you look terrific!We do this in a few ways:

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    • Make it easy to engage clients with stunning content
      In addition to advisor/firm created content and third-party licensed content, we also have an entire department dedicated to creating custom content for advisors that don’t have time to write engaging & personalized communications.

    • Help you understand & engage your clients with AI
      Powered by the same AI technology used by Fortune 100 companies, AdvisorStream helps you understand what topics & life events your clients most enjoy. In real-time, we’ll even suggest content we think your clients will enjoy based on their interests and viewership so that you look like a rockstar.

    • Heroic customer service that cares about your success

      Client experience is at the heart of everything we do, which is why all of our clients receive regular check-ins and strategy sessions to help them optimize their communications, increase engagement and exceed their marketing & communication objectives. We are with you every step of the way.

Any words of advice for advisors looking to update their tech stack?

A few helpful tips to consider:

    • Does it play well together?
      Make sure you’re selecting technology that works well with other technologies you have, like your CRM & client portal. You’ve invested in those (financially and with staff training), so make sure that they work together.

    • Does it include support & training?
      Technology doesn’t have to be complicated, but if the time comes that you need help—make sure that it’s readily available.

    • What are customers saying about it?
      Do your research and investigate what clients think about the solution. Be sure to look at off-site reviews on social media, Google, and other review websites. Are customers excited, and do their reviews match up with their claims? 

What are you looking forward to the most about attending AdviceTech.LIVE?

I’m especially excited to attend the AdviceTech conference to network and work with our industry peers to make a real difference in our industry.

This is an opportunity to go beyond simply making a statement and to take real action towards the betterment of the financial services industry.

We’re proud to be a sponsor and panelist at the conference.

TJ Hill