The 401(k) Marketing Podcast

Things can feel steady until they slowly start slipping without warning. What if the biggest risk to your growth isn’t what you’re doing, but what you’ve stopped doing? In this episode, Rebecca Hourihan breaks down how marketing momentum works using a powerful airplane analogy. She explains why slowing down your efforts doesn’t cause an immediate drop, but instead leads to a gradual decline in vis...

Everything around advisors is moving fast, and Patrik Delaney has spent twenty-five years watching the industry shift under their feet.  In this conversation, he and Rebecca dig into what is driving those changes, why traditional education is no longer enough, and how the most successful advisors are learning to inspire behavior rather than just explain it. Pat breaks down how demographic pressure...

Standing out online has never been harder. With endless content competing for attention, how do you make sure your voice is the one people remember? In this episode, Rebecca Hourihan welcomes back Laura Garfield, Founder of Idea Decanter, to talk about the growing “visibility war” and why video has become increasingly important for many advisors. They explore how AI-generated content is flooding t...

Confidence alone won’t make you a better communicator. What if the key to connecting with others lies in understanding them first? How do you shift from speaking at people to truly engaging with them? What role does listening play in building trust and deepening relationships? In this episode, Rebecca Hourihan interviews Matt Mosich, a communications expert who has helped hundreds of profess...

Some conversations hit closer to home, especially when your guest is your mom. In this refreshingly candid episode, Rebecca Hourihan sits down with her mother for a conversation that moves from garden centers and white minivans to the heart of what it means to lead with confidence in uncertain times. From generational shifts to TikTok finance rabbit holes, and what really happens when advisors go...

Most retirement plan advisors spend their days working in their practice, reacting to client emails, putting out fires, and chasing deadlines. But what if you carved out just 2 hours a month to work on your practice instead? In this high-energy episode, Randy Fuss of Fuss Success Builders joins Rebecca Hourihan to unpack the real meaning of practice management. From clarifying the “Big Three” (win...

Becoming the go-to expert in your niche isn’t just for influencers; it’s for retirement plan advisors, too. In this episode of the 401(k) Marketing Podcast , Rebecca Hourihan shares how advisors can become micro-influencers through education, storytelling, and strategic content. From quick videos to compliance-friendly guides, she explains how to build trust and credibility before you walk in the...

What makes startup 401(k) plans the new frontier for retirement savings? Join Rebecca Hourihan as she sits down with Kevin Spaeth from PenChecks to explore the modern twists redefining 401(k) plans. They delve into the impact of auto-enrollment and escalation, the role of safe-harbor rules, state-mandated IRA programs, and the introduction of strategic tax incentives designed to engage more busine...

As the retirement landscape continues to evolve, understanding how new legislation and emerging technologies impact employers and employees is more important than ever. In this episode, Rebecca chats with Will Hansen, Executive Director of the Plan Sponsor Council of America, to discuss the latest shifts in retirement planning and policy, and what they mean for you. Together, they explore how SECU...

What if your 401(k) followed you from job to job as effortlessly as your favorite playlist? Join host Rebecca Hourihan as she sits down with industry experts Spencer Williams and Neal Ringquist from the Retirement Clearinghouse to explore this game-changing innovation. Discover how the Portability Services Network is tackling the challenge of maintaining retirement savings as employees change jobs...

Join Rebecca Hourihan in this engaging episode of the 401(k) Marketing Podcast as she shares insightful strategies to elevate your 401(k) advisory practice from good to great. Explore Rebecca’s five dynamic techniques to stand out on social media, boost your engagement, and solidify your presence in the retirement plan community. Rebecca discusses: The impact of quirky content like cheese and pets...

Are you keeping up with the AI wave in the financial services industry? Rebecca Hourihan chats with Spencer X. Smith from AmpliPhi Digital about the transformative power of AI in the retirement plan industry. Get ready to explore how AI has quickly evolved from a niche technology to an everyday tool for financial advisors. Spencer and Rebecca discuss the innovative ways AI is being embraced, share...

Rebecca Hourihan sits down with Mike DiCenso, a renowned expert in institutional retirement plans, wealth management, and fintech innovation. Discover Mike’s profound insights on tackling modern challenges in the retirement plan advisory space and how to leverage them for success. Mike discusses: The importance of strategic planning and the pitfalls of abandoning strategies too soon  Impleme...

In this episode, we talk with Brandon Helms, MarshBerry Vice President on the five key strategies for financial advisors to build more value in their businesses. The conversation covers the importance of organic growth, differentiation strategies, succession planning, M&A opportunities, and understanding client demographics. Brandon emphasizes the need for advisors to think like stewards of th...

Rebecca Hourihan speaks with Blake Allison, founder and CEO of LifeCents, on the evolving concept of financial wellness, its challenges, and how it impacts both employers and employees. He emphasizes the need for personalized financial wellness programs and critiques overly complex, one-size-fits-all programs, advocating instead for tailored approaches that consider each employee’s unique financia...

Rebecca Hourihan is joined by Laura Garfield, co-founder of Idea Decanter, to discuss the evolution and significance of short-form content and video marketing, particularly for financial advisors. Laura emphasizes the importance of adapting to your audience’s evolving preferences, leveraging video for effective communication, and utilizing AI tools to enhance video production. Gain insight and act...

Rebecca Hourihan shares seven practical suggestions designed to smooth out your prospecting pipeline and drive consistent growth for your business. Rebecca discusses innovative ways to enhance communication with AI tools, emphasizes the importance of high-quality design in your marketing materials, and offers invaluable tips for maintaining meaningful connections with prospects and clients. Rebecc...

In this episode, Rebecca is honored to welcome Nevin Adams, a legendary figure in the retirement planning industry. With a career spanning nearly five decades, Nevin has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of retirement plans. His wealth of experience and knowledge is undeniable as he shares his insights and future projections. Dive into the transformative impact of target date funds, t...

Rebecca Hourihan reflects on a decade of retirement plan marketing. She emphasizes the challenges of change, the evolution of marketing strategies from cold calling to leveraging social media, and the necessity of maintaining a visible and professional online presence. Rebecca also touches on the importance of creating tailored content, and discusses the critical role of effective communication, h...

Did you know that approximately 10-12% of plan sponsors actively shop their plan every year? Tune in to Rebecca Hourihan’s conversation with Eric Ryles, Vice President, of Customer Solutions at ALM Media, LLC (parent company of Judy Diamond Associates). They explore ways to improve prospecting and enhance client retention, as well as telltale signs a plan sponsor might be at risk of leaving. Eric...

Are you tired of manual payroll processes eating up your time and resources? What if there was an efficient way to streamline payroll integration with your 401(k) recordkeeping? Learn how Payroll Integrations connects you to leading payroll systems and automates data transfer through APIs. Rebecca Hourihan and guest Jeff Kayajanian, principal and chief revenue officer at Payroll Integrations, have...

As advisors continue to seek innovative ways to connect with their audience and establish trust, the challenge of standing out in a crowded market is ever-present. In this episode, Rebecca Hourihan speaks with Matt Halloran, co-founder of ProudMouth, about the power of podcasting to rise above the noise and establish yourself as the go-to expert. Whether it’s starting a new podcast or honing your...

Can the convergence of wealth, retirement, and workplace benefits pressurize 401(k) plan fees to fall to zero? And are you prepared if it does? In this episode, Rebecca Hourihan speaks with Fred Barstein, the founder & CEO of The Plan Sponsor University (TPSU), The Retirement Advisor University (TRAU), and 401kTV and they discuss an alternative universe where 401(k) fees no longer exist.  Fred...

You never get the chance to redo a first introduction, so make sure you can control as much of it as you can! In this episode of the 401(k) Marketing Podcast, Rebecca Hourihan shares her recent encounter with a local attorney, which highlighted the profound impact of seemingly minor details during a first meeting. The episode explores key lessons for advisors to build and maintain client trust. Re...

Advisors, are you ready to wrap up 2023 with an insightful year-end review and kick off 2024 with a SMART action plan? In this episode of the 401(k) Marketing Podcast, Rebecca Hourihan shares ideas and suggestions for a productive year-end evaluation of your business. Rebecca discusses: The first step for a comprehensive year-end review The importance of SMART goals (with examples for retirement p...