new media

New Media is Bigger Than You Know

© Can Stock Photo Inc. / buchachon

The first birthday of our online communication efforts is upon us. 228main.com was intended to provide us with a means to talk to a lot of clients at once, especially useful in times of stress. There were other objectives as well.

We know that communications influence behavior; behavior influences investment outcomes; and client outcomes are what we are about. The new media lets us highlight each day the thing we find most pertinent or interesting. We can drive home the lessons that help people invest and plan effectively.

If you follow us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, you know we have created some regular features to help us tell our story. The Junior Staff and Market Haiku show up weekly, along with links to pertinent articles and news.

The most surprising thing we’ve learned about the new media is how useful it has been to people we know, for much broader purposes than business communications. One retiree became acquainted with Twitter to keep up with a grandchild’s college sports team. A sports fan has grown a custom news feed of local print and broadcast sportswriters as well as recruiting clearinghouses, player and team accounts and other knowledgeable fans. A political junkie collects thoughts from candidates, opinion leaders, polling experts and major newspapers. We follow the best minds in the business world. Others pursue news about hobbies or interests.

In other words, Twitter can be a customized information source, tailored by you to your preferences. You choose the sources to follow. Whether or not you register, you can see our daily quick notes and commentary. You do not have to ever post anything in order to use the tool. However, if you do have a message, you can get it out.

LinkedIn, we’ve noticed, is more of a business forum and networking affair. Facebook is popular with many of our clients for many reasons. People see what their children or grandchildren are up to, and keep up with more distant relatives like never before. Facebook also allows businesses to have pages, which is how we can communicate with those who choose to ‘like’ our Facebook page.

Perhaps the biggest misperception among non-users is the idea that the whole world will know what you are up to if you participate. The fact is, you choose what to publish and who to interact with, if anybody. Many people just take in information, and post or publish very little. You might explore these venues to see if they can improve your life. The menu buttons at 228main.com can connect you.

Why Life in the 21st Century is So Grand

© www.canstockphoto.com / binik

People know why financial advisors invest time and effort studying the economy, markets and specific opportunities. The case for commenting and writing and posting in the 21st century media may be less clear. But there is a compelling reason why we are so engaged, one that has to do with your financial wellbeing.

One of the biggest factors in investment outcomes is investor behavior. The average investor (and some advisors) behave in counterproductive ways. They tend to buy at high prices in times of euphoria and sell at low prices in times of general despair or panic. We believe our clients are far from average, however, and we would like to keep it that way.

Our theory is that more communication leads to understanding, understanding leads to effective behavior, which in turn usually results in better outcomes. We have no guarantees about the future, but we are pretty sure the wealthier our clients are, the better off we will be.

If we take time to write down one or two of our stories every week, we can post them for any client to read any time, 24/7, at their convenience. There aren’t enough hours in the day to tell a story a hundred times in a week, but a hundred people can read the story at the same time here in the 21st century.

More communication is better communication, and there is a terrific side effect. Since some fraction of clients get some fraction of their information from our new media efforts, we have more time to talk one-on-one when that is needed. Whether you follow on Facebook or Twitter or subscribe to the blog, we have more time to talk.

More communication, more time, potentially better investment outcomes….life in the 21st century is incredibly grand. We’re glad you are with us.

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

Investing involves risk including loss of principal.