Business Development
Being independent does not mean you have to be alone. Investors Capital understands what it takes to be successful in this business. We provide proactive, business-consulting services to help you maximize your potential. Our experienced team of consultants will work with you to develop a strategy that takes advantage of
the full spectrum of services we make available. You can draw on the knowledge and expertise of our team to help you with all aspects of managing your business. For example, we provide the following tools to help you succeed:

• Personalized Seminar Coaching
• Regional Seminars and Workshops
• Educational and Training Programs
• Collaborative Mentor Program
• Personalized Business Plan Development
• East and West Coast National Meetings

Marketing Assistance
One of the biggest challenges many financial services representatives face is how to market their practice. What tools are available? Which ones should be used? What is the most effective way to use them? How to get started? At Investors Capital, we offer a full range of marketing materials and consultative support to help you launch your business, including:

• Cutting-edge Lead Generation Programs
• Direct Marketing Programs
• Pre-approved Seminars
• Pre-approved Print Advertisements
• Recruiting Materials and Support
• Business Planning Guidance
• Corporate Stationery
• Investors Capital Email Address
• Personalized Website
Additionally, if you would like support in developing your own corporate identity, we have relationships with a number of marketing firms that can help you create your own corporate materials.

Representative Newsletter
A newsletter is a way to provide you with a source of practical market information, and remind you of the products and services that Investors Capital representatives offer.

"The Capitalist" is a ten-page newsletter, available on a monthly basis. Written internally by members of Investors Capital’s Home Office staff, The Capitalist keeps representatives abreast of news from all of the departments, including new products and services, upcoming meetings, compliance updates, CE reminders, licensing requirements, Investors Capital Advisory Services, and much more. The Capitalist is available each month on the Investors Capital Representative website in PDF format.

Free Personalized Home Page
Every Investors Capital representative can request a free personal homepage. An Investors Capital personal homepage will include your photo, basic contact information, a 50-word bio and a link to your website (if you have one).

Free Email Through Investors Capital
Every representative is assigned an investorscapital.com email address. Any representative who has an investorscapital.com email address can view and manage their email at mail.investorscapital.com

Investors Capital Stationery
Investors Capital letterhead, envelopes and business cards are available to all representatives. This program was developed to save you time and money. All products are printed on the same high-quality paper that is used at the Home Office. The stationery order form can be found on the representatives area of the website under Compliance / Forms and Applications / Investors Capital Supply Order Form.

Investors Capital Signs
Attractive, lightweight signs are available to hang in your office. The signs, featuring the Investors Capital logo with the words “Member NASD/SIPC” underneath, have a brushed gold surface with black lettering. Each sign measures 8” x 16” and is easily mountable on any wall with two-sided tape. The cost is $35, and signs can be ordered through the Home Office.

Direct Client Interaction
Seminars provide benefits to both representatives and clients. The client has the opportunity to learn about new financial opportunities, while the representative is able to meet qualified prospects and develop a list of prospective clients.
Investors Capital has developed the Seminar Boot Camp program that provides representatives with all the information needed to host a successful seminar. During an intense two-day workshop we coach our representatives through planning a seminar, identifying their niche market, committing to a date and venue, and selecting a topic/presentation.

Compliance-approved seminars are available to help get you started in your seminar marketing program. There are several seminars to choose from, covering a variety of financial topics. These seminars can be downloaded from the representatives area of the website, under Advertising Resources.

Recruiting Pieces
Investors Capital has a variety of compliance-approved recruiting flyers that can be used to expand your business when you are looking to recruit new representatives. Professional advertisements can be personalized and are available in PDF format.

Press Releases
Press releases are an effective way to promote your business and gain visibility within your community. To officially announce your new affiliation with Investors Capital, we will send out an initial press release to your local newspaper. Since press releases are generally a free source of promotion, representatives should use these whenever there is important information or achievements to share with the community.
Possible ideas for press releases include:

• Passing an examination (Series 7, 24, insurance exam, etc.)
• Address or contact information changes
• Winning awards
• Adding a new representative or employee
• Sponsoring a community event
• Announcing upcoming seminars
• Attending prominent conferences

When preparing your own press release, it is important for representatives to follow the guidelines outlined in the Advertising Compliance section of this manual.

Media Advertising
Print advertising is an effective tool to promote your business, products and services. Advertising in local newspapers and community publications aids in branding your business and keeps your name in front of the community and local media. Investors Capital’s marketing department will work with you to develop ideas and content for print advertisements.

Direct Mail
Direct mail is the foundation of many representatives’ marketing plans. Direct mail flyers and postcards are an effective way to keep in front of clients. Utilize direct mail to invite clients or prospects to upcoming seminars, or to promote a specific product. Postcards are a good direct marketing tool to send out as an offer to call or send more information to prospective clients.

Corporate brochures are also a useful medium for direct mail. Investors Capital has an informative brochure available for representatives’ use. This high-quality piece is ideal to have when meeting with prospective clients, this brochure is available through the Home Office and/or the website.

Trade Shows
Community events offer an important opportunity for representatives to meet face-to-face with prospective clients, create a professional public image for the business, and provide an opportunity to explain the products and services that are offered.