Thinking of Hiring A PR Counselor? Consider an RFP Hot

cafzalicafzali  
 
 
0.0 (0)
Write Review

Most have probably heard about the RFP, or request for proposals. Most commonly used in government circles, an RFP is a brief document that's issued that essentially details the products or services the issuer is looking to source and invites qualified providers to bid in the form of proposal. Even though most advisors have probably never used one, they can be a great way to source consulting help, including a qualified public relations counselor.

 

Quite simply, all you need to do is put together a brief document that usually spans no more than two or three pages outlining the services you're seeking from a PR pro and specify what type of information you'd like to receive in any proposals submitted. More elaborate proposal processes break the process down into sections and often even give a particular scoring weight to different sections. However, the entire process can be simplified greatly by allowing respondents to put the proposals in any form they choose, leaving you free to pick the best combination of idea substance and proposal style that fits your practice.

A particular method that often works well is to specify the time period the proposal will cover and ask respondents to list the components of a proposed campaign and the time that they will be carried out. Most commonly, public relations programs are sketched out over a six-month period, since the initial phase of a campaign will serve to introduce the client to the media. Once the introductory phase is done and influential media outlets have a better idea of who an advisor is and the philosophy they espouse, it's much easier to get more specific in terms of message and recommendations.

While some clients who issue RFPs base their selection process on the proposals themselves, there's nothing that says it has to be this way. You can also use the proposals to narrow the respondents down to a small number of finalists and then conduct a brief round of interviews to get a better sense of whether a firm or consultant bidding for your business would be a fit.

One thing you likely won't have to worry about if you go this route is having a limited number of choices. By simply sending a brief media release to a couple of well-known PR trades and also posting a notice on your Web site, you'll likely get a number of well-crafted responses. With any luck, the responses you receive will give you a better sense of the firms or consultants you're considering and whether or not they're a good fit for the program you have in mind.

This Website Is For Financial Professionals Only


User reviews

There are no user reviews for this listing.
Already have an account? or Create an account

A Strategically Focused CE Curriculum

With classes approved for over a decade by the CFP Board, IWI, and NASBA, Advisors4Advisors CE classes are an optimal knowledge stream for CFP®, CIMA®, CPA, CPA/PFS®, CFA®, and other practitioners. It's not a grab bag of speakers willing to sponsor CE content. Nor is it a one-man CE course. It's a group of subject matter experts with amazing communication skills and a history of thought leadership that, together, give advisors a well-rounded knowledge system for running a professional practice ethically and intelligently.

CE Since October 2008

A4A CE classes for financial professionals began in October 2008, the week Lehman Bros. collapsed. Initially billed as “The Financial Crisis Webinar Series,” A4A connects advisors with authoritative sources on investing, tax, and financial planning, chosen by A4A Editor Andrew Gluck, a veteran financial reporter. A4A members get a stream of CE classes for an advisor who: 

  • holds a CFP®, CIMA®, CPA, CPA/PFS, CFA or other designation requiring CE annually 
  • values monthly CE classes by Fritz Meyer, Craig Israelsen, Bob Keebler, Frank Murtha, or Andrew Gluck
  • diversifies a core of client portfolios in low-expense funds
  • invests based on MPT and economic fundamentals
  • advises on tax and financial planning as well as investing
  • needs financial counseling skills
  • wants the Certified Financial Counselor™ designation 
  • is building a brand as a thought leader locally or in a niche
  • wants the facts when bad news breaks
  • wants CE aligned with a content marketing system
  • wants 24/7 access to CE on-demand
  • insists on objective evidenced-based tax and investment planning analysis
MEMBER REVIEWS 
William Desormeau, Jr.  
It is not possible for me to overstate the cumulative value that Craig, Bob and Fritz have added for over 10 years to my investment advisory practice, as well as for personal and family financial planning. A4A gets my highest recommendation
Lynn Najman, CFP®
I’ve subscribed to A4A since its inception, and always find it intellectually stimulating and on point. It’s one of the few CE solutions out there that doesn’t waste my time by pushing product or talking down to me.

PeteDeacon-CPA-CFP

Pete Deacon, CPA, CFP®
A4A has had a profound effect on my business. Since 2009, I’ve relied on the consistent messaging and updates to run my business successfully. Being able to present the information from Bob, Fritz, and Craig's ongoing CE webinars has been a significant benefit.

fredericMayersen-phd-cfp

Fredric Mayerson, MBA, PhD, CFP®
I've been a financial professional and professor of finance for 35 years and find Fritz Meyer and Robert Keebler to be among the most engaging, incredibly knowledgeable, and experienced presenters I’ve encountered. They deliver an extraordinary amount of information in an extremely interesting way — sequentially and developmentally, utilizing pedagogical tools and techniques that few possess.  A4A to is the most consistently excellent CE program available.  
Ron Roge, MS, CFP®
I’ve been attending A4A many years because the CE classes are outstanding, and my time is valuable. Though I have over 35 years of experience, I’m always learning something new on A4A. I attend fewer conferences now because the CE is generally not advanced. If you want to learn from the best, in a faster, easier, and less expensive way, I highly recommend A4A.

John R. Day, CPA/PFS®

I’ve been a member since 2011 and never miss the monthly webinars with Fritz Meyer. I appreciate Fritz’s independent views on the economy and markets and Bob Keebler keeps me updated on excellent tax planning ideas. A4A is a great value!

NormanPolitzinerCFP

Norman Politziner, CFP

I wouldn't miss a Fritz Meyer webinar unless my pants were on fire. I've relied on Andrew Gluck's knowledge systems --client communications and CE -- for two decades. It's simply the best solution for tax, financial, investment, and risk-management professionals.®   

Dan Hawley, CFP® 

A4A, for over a decade, has been a great resource for useful and accurate information and CE. A4A and Advisor Products are bargains for an advisory practice. 

KevinBrosious-CFP-CPA-PFS

Kevin Brosious, MBA, CFP®, CPA/PFS®

I get CPA CE credit and CFP credit for the webinars.  But not only that, the A4A content is terrific