Best way to stay in touch with your advisor

I have a lot of clients who try to have conversations with me over SMS text messaging. While I completely understand that many of my clients struggle with email and don’t like to talk on the phone, text messaging is a bad idea. 

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Why is SMS text messaging a bad idea?

The most obvious reason is that insurance and investing questions usually require detailed answers. Short messages are just that: short. It is not possible for me to provide good answers by text, and it is a much better idea to call or email me. 

Additionally, government regulations require me to keep an archive of communications with clients. Keeping email records is easy, and phone records are also possible. But it is currently not possible to archive text messages. As a result, I am forced to try to keep my SMS text replies to my clients as brief as possible - often only saying “Please call me.”

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Then which is best? Phone, or Email?

If not SMS texting, then what is better? The simplest explanation I can give is that phone is quicker, but email keeps a written record of what was said. 

Think about it this way. Is it urgent or you’re not sure how to say it? Then call me. Or, is it important? Then email me. Either way, I try to reply in a timely manner. 

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If you do call, please leave a Voicemail.

Some of my clients would rather not leave a voicemail. Those clients will call me 3 times in 3 minutes, instead. Please understand that I have my current and former clients in my contacts, and I usually recognize who is calling before I even answer. And I always try to answer. 

But sometimes I’m just not able to answer immediately. I operate as an independent professional, and the phone number that I provide is a direct line to me and only me. I promise that I will call you back, but I am only one person. 

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Dan's direct line: 484-460-3922

Dan's main email: dan@rhoads.agency