Signal vs. Noise: How to Help Clients Navigate Market Volatility
A week like no other. Whether it’s the ongoing post-election anxiety, fears of a looming recession, or the latest headlines on tariffs and interest rates, investors are feeling the pressure. RIAs know the drill: tune out the noise, stick to the plan, and focus on long-term fundamentals. But that doesn’t stop clients from reaching out, asking, Should I be doing something?
The reality is, uncertainty is nothing new—markets have been cycling through booms and busts for centuries. An up-to-date Morningstar analysis looked at 150 years of stock market crashes and found that while downturns are inevitable, so is recovery. Whether it took four months (COVID-19) or over a decade (the Great Depression), every major decline has eventually given way to new highs. The investors who stayed the course reaped the rewards. But in the moment, panic feels rational.
While this isn’t a new phenomenon, this is a new crisis. Every cycle, investors tell themselves this time is different. Maybe it’s inflation or tariffs. Maybe it’s an overvalued market. Maybe it’s geopolitics or policy risk. And sure, the details change—but the fundamental truth remains the same: reacting to short-term volatility has never been a winning strategy. Market downturns aren’t pleasant, but they’re part of the process. And those who can ride them out without making emotionally driven decisions tend to come out ahead.
That’s why communication matters. When clients are bombarded with doom-and-gloom headlines, they need something stronger than logic. They need reassurance, repetition, and clear guidance. Recently, we’ve seen record attendance at client market outlook webinars because end clients are preoccupied with fear—fear of what the election means for their investments, fear of another recession, fear of losing what they’ve built. Part of our job is to amplify the signal that relays that long-term outlook and cuts through the short-term noise.
Last week, we shared a white-labeled newsletter with our clients to help advisors navigate these conversations. It outlined key economic trends—Fed policy, inflation, global diversification—and provided a framework for reinforcing confidence amid uncertainty. The message remains clear: long-term discipline beats short-term reaction every time.
The best thing advisors can do right now isn’t to predict what’s next but to remind clients that market uncertainty isn’t new and that their financial plan was built to withstand it. The firms that thrive in times like these aren’t the ones making bold market calls or changing model portfolios—they’re the ones doubling down on client relationships, providing steady guidance, and keeping investors focused on what they can control.
Plus, in our experience, communication, reassurance, and reinforcement during moments of volatility or crisis greatly correspond not only to higher NPS scores and referral rates, but to capturing a greater share of prospect money in motion.
Featured links:
Interest in Financial Advice Soars on Google — Here’s Why by Elijah Nicholson-Messmer
- TikTok financial advice and investment sub-Reddits can offer some useful insights, but they can’t replace the guidance of a financial advisor. Recent Google Trends data shows that Americans are increasingly seeking professional help, with search interest for financial advisors hitting its highest level since the pandemic began. While market concerns like inflation and tariffs are fueling this trend, it also highlights the growing recognition of the value of personalized financial planning during uncertain times.
- As trillions of dollars pass to younger generations through the Great Wealth Transfer, new research highlights the unique challenges women face in managing inherited wealth. A Citizens Wealth survey found that while women are expected to control $34 trillion in U.S. assets by 2030, many lack confidence in financial planning. A striking 84% of women feel unprepared to manage inheritance or windfall money, compared to 73% of men. Despite this, the desire for professional financial advice remains strong, with 90% of women prioritizing retirement savings and estate planning in their financial journey.
Women’s Initiative Scholarship
- The NAPFA Women’s Initiative is offering a scholarship aimed at supporting and empowering the next generation of female leaders in the financial advisory profession. With women currently representing less than 30% of financial advisors, this initiative seeks to inspire more women to consider a career in finance. The scholarship, valued at $2,500, provides tuition support, mentoring, and a year-long membership to NAPFA, helping women pave their way to success in the industry.
📌 Who’s eligible?
✔️ Students enrolled in a U.S. college or university
✔️ Entering sophomore, junior, or senior year in Fall 2025
📅 Applications close April 11, 2025.
- Ready to grow your financial advisory firm? Whether it’s building out your team, increasing AUM, or adding new services, figuring out what growth really means for your business is the first step to lasting success.
- Change fatigue isn’t just an employee morale issue. It has real consequences for organizations, because it leads to lower productivity, stalled initiatives, and higher turnover.
- Looking for a sense of purpose? Here are 3 ways to start volunteering.
- Brands like Liquid Death, Taco Bell, and GoDaddy are proving that bold, quirky marketing ideas can make a lasting impact. Here’s why being weird works.
- Curious about how to implement traction into your growth and marketing planning? If you missed us at FPA’s Women & Finance Knowledge Circle on April 10th, FPA Members can view the details and access the recording by visiting the FPA Women & Finance Community Page.
- Tune Out the Noise – A Documentary Film by Dimensional Fund Advisors
- How Not to Invest – Barry Ritholtz and Scott Galloway on The Prof G Pod
- Why Nursing Homes and Hospice Are So Expensive in the U.S. – CNBC
- CFP®: The Gold Standard of Financial Planning – Kevin R. Keller, CAE, Chief Executive Officer of the CFP Board and Ray Ferrara, CFP® on Up Your Assets – A Financial Podcast
- Last month, we explored using data to create engaging content, integrating your tools for a smoother client experience, and boosting your credibility with guest blogging. Here are some additional tactics you can steal to boost your marketing game.
- Partner with complementary businesses to expand your reach. From joint events to shared content, co-marketing helps you tap into new audiences without doubling the work.
- Want to stand out in search results? Incorporate FAQ rich snippets on services pages to boost your visibility, drive more clicks, and enhance your SEO performance.
- Use strategically timed exit intent popups to offer lead magnets or encourage sign-ups for your next webinar, transforming abandoned visits into conversions.
Libretto & the T3 Advisor Software Survey
We’re excited to share that our friends at Libretto were named the top-rated Financial Planning solution in the latest Advisor Software Survey from T3 Technology Tools for Today and Bob Veres’ Inside Information. Libretto’s tools are designed to help advisors go upmarket while ensuring that clients at every level see their full financial and personal life.
According to the survey:
“Libretto, which offers a very different concept of organizing a financial plan, received the highest user rating in the category, a rare 9.00+ rating that you don’t often see in this category, and its market share has increased five-fold over the last year.”
A book recommendation from a lead advisor at a multi-office, midsize RIA:
“Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter” by Liz Wiseman
“Multipliers vs. detractors. Multipliers are people who don’t hold on to things too tightly, they are looser with control and find their team are much more likely to jump in and take on delegated work. They lead to a 15-20% increase in productivity and performance over time. Detractors can often have a tighter grasp on their work and are less likely to delegate. This often leads to bottlenecks in the workflow and can have a compounding negative effect on the business performance over time.”