Content sharing on social media has become key to engaging clients and prospects for financial advisors and wealth managers. More than providing value of content curation by picking out quality articles, financial professionals can add value by crafting an introduction to the shared article that helps readers make sense of an article or get to its key points quickly. There are different ways a financial professional can introduce a shared article – a choice which depends on the audience, the message the writer wants to convey and the type of engagement he or she wants to create.
How can financial professionals write introductions to shared articles that are engaging and effective? We invite Peter Fleming – an accomplished writer with extensive experience with financial topics from retirement planning to taxes – to share how he would craft an engaging commentary on a shared article using different types of introductions.
“The number of 401(k) plan millionaires surges 41 percent, hits a new high” (cnbc.com)
1. Share your point of view
Fidelity says 168,000 of its 401(k) plans now have a balance of $1 million or more. While that’s great news, especially for those account owners, what matters most is your retirement savings balance and whether you are saving as much as you can afford for your own eventual retirement.
2. Say why it’s important
For too long, retirement savings of U.S. workers has lagged behind other developed countries. Fidelity’s report that its 401(k) millionaires have reached 168,000 and that 30% of savers increased their contributions in the last year means Americans have finally realized that saving for a safe and secure retirement is solely their responsibility.
3. Tell your readers what it’s about
Fidelity says that the number of its 401(k) millionaires has grown by 41% since last year and that 30% of savers have increased their rate of savings. That demonstrates that Americans are finally taking saving for retirement seriously, as evidenced by the average account balance being close to its all time high.
4. Summarize the article
Fidelity recently offered a host of good news about retirement savings:
• 168,000 401(k) plans have a balance of $1 million or more—a 41% increase over the previous year.
• Some 3 in 10 savers increased their retirement savings rate in the past year.
• The average 401(k) contribution rate is up slightly to 8.6%. The average plan balance is $104,000—just below the all time high.
5. Explain the content
Several measures of retirement savings at Fidelity are up, including the number of 401(k) millionaires (up 41% to 168,000) and the contribution rate (30% of savers increased their contributions last year). While that’s a great start, most Americans won’t have a pension plan to pay for retirement. So starting early and taking full advantage of company match are just two pieces of advice the article offers.
6. Highlight its key points
An article reporting that the number of Fidelity 401(k) millionaires has reached an all time high of 168,000—up 41% from the prior year—offers some important advice for retirement savers:
• Start saving for retirement as early as you can. The increase in 401(k) millionaires highlights the benefits of long-term compounding.
• Take full advantage of the company match your employer offers. Some 20% of workers still don’t do this. That means they are leaving money on the table.
• Don’t invest too conservatively for your age. If you are young, stocks are a better long-term bet than bonds. And even if you are older, a good portion of your savings should still be in stocks or stock mutual funds.
7. Ask a Question
Fidelity says the number of its 401(k) millionaires has climbed 41% in the past year to 168,000. How does your retirement savings stack up? Even if you haven’t yet reached the $1 million mark, the most important thing is that you have begun setting aside money for retirement.
Peter is an accomplished writer with extensive writing and editing experience in financial topics from retirement planning to taxes
