JERSEY CITY, N.J., Aug. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- An effective value proposition strengthens audience connections and fosters growth, yet many advisors have had little objective guidance in formulating such statements until now, according to a new study released today from Pershing, a BNY Mellon company. What Do Top Advisors Say and What Do Investors Really Think? reveals how an advisor can communicate their value proposition to investors and differentiate themselves from other advisors in the industry.

A unique value proposition answers the critical question "Why should I choose you?", yet according to the survey 60 percent of investors say that many advisors make similar promises, making it difficult to distinguish between them. The strongest value propositions incorporate these four key elements:


    --  attributes of the advisor;
    --  benefits for the investor;
    --  a rational explanation of how the firm's attributes benefit the client;
    --  and language that evokes emotion

"Developing an effective value proposition can have larger implications on an advisor's overall business than they may realize," says Kim Dellarocca, managing director at Pershing. "In many instances, the value proposition is the first impression potential clients experience and can be the catalyst for a future relationship. It is also an opportunity for advisors to promote business growth by using language that differentiates themselves and targets their ideal client base by articulating attributes and features that appeal to specific demographics. Of course, the real test is delivering on what you promise."

Choosing the right language can make a big difference for investors. Pershing's study found that investors prefer value statements that incorporate "comprehensive" over "holistic" by a ratio of seven to one. Additionally, two topics that investors care about most - conservative investment approaches and trust - are under-represented in most value propositions.

Based on a systematic look at the value propositions used by top advisors, and investor reactions to these and other value propositions, Pershing has identified key takeaways for advisors to consider when creating a value proposition of their own. They are as follows:


    --  Include core promises--but add more. Investors found three themes to be
        the most compelling among advisors' value propositions: tailored
        solutions to meet their needs, advisors working for the investors' best
        interest and experienced investment managers. An advisor's website and
        marketing materials should include these top promises.  Advisors who do
        not mention these in their value propositions risk being excluded from
        consideration by potential clients. Successful advisors also need to
        include something extra to differentiate themselves, such as why
        investors should choose them over other advisors or unusual client
        benefits like building a family legacy or understanding personal
        aspirations.
    --  Don't oversell simplicity. Many websites promise to simplify investing
        and relieve clients of the burden of managing wealth, but according to
        Pershing's study, most investors accept the need to take an active role
        in managing their own finances.
    --  Give conservative approaches more prominence. If advisors' money
        management approaches place special emphasis on preservation of capital,
        it should be a highly visible component of their value proposition.
    --  Work hard to establish trust. Trust remains a much bigger concern for
        investors than the financial industry realizes. Advisors must ensure
        their value propositions include a message on why investors should trust
        in them and includes themes like trust, accountability, integrity and
        fiduciary responsibility.
    --  Tailor the message to the ideal client profile. Different market
        segments place higher emphasis on different attributes. Advisors should
        know who their ideal client base is and what is most important to them
        in an advisor, and make sure their value propositions exhibit those
        points. For instance, investors under 40 place higher importance on
        advisors who will provide guidance through life's major events and
        relieve the burden of managing finances.
    --  Watch your language. Investors dislike jargon and favor words with
        emotional connotations- that means how the value proposition is
        formulated is just as important as the message it is trying to portray.
        For example, when judging between near-synonyms, investors prefer words
        with an emotional punch, such as "unwavering" and "passionate" rather
        than "committed" and "dedicated".

To learn more about the makings of a winning value proposition and obtain a copy of Pershing's What Do Top Advisors Say and What Do Investors Really Think?, please visit pershing.com/valueproposition.

Pershing and its affiliates provide global financial business solutions to approximately 1,600 financial organizations, broker-dealers, registered investment advisory firms, advisors, fund managers and asset managers who represent over 5.6 million active accounts. Located in 23 offices worldwide, Pershing delivers dependable operational support, robust trading services, flexible technology, an expansive array of investment solutions, practice management support and service excellence. Pershing affiliates are members of every major U.S. securities exchange, and its international affiliates are members of the Deutsche Borse, Australian Stock Exchange, Irish Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange. Pershing LLC (member FINRA/NYSE/SIPC) is a BNY Mellon company. Additional information is available on pershing.com, or follow us on Twitter @Pershing.

BNY Mellon is a global investments company dedicated to helping its clients manage and service their financial assets throughout the investment lifecycle. Whether providing financial services for institutions, corporations or individual investors, BNY Mellon delivers informed investment management and investment services in 35 countries and more than 100 markets. As of June 30, 2014, BNY Mellon had $28.5 trillion in assets under custody and/or administration, and $1.6 trillion in assets under management. BNY Mellon can act as a single point of contact for clients looking to create, trade, hold, manage, service, distribute or restructure investments. BNY Mellon is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE: BK). Additional information is available on www.bnymellon.com, or follow us on Twitter @BNYMellon.

Contact: Paul Patella
+1 201 413 3609
paul.patella@pershing.com

SOURCE BNY Mellon