Why Building an Email List Is No Longer Optional for Financial Advisors

Charlie Van Derven - Financial Advisors Need to Concentrate Effort on Building an Email List

If you're a financial advisor relying solely on social media to build your business, it's time for a serious pivot.

You’ve likely invested time, energy, and maybe even money into building a presence on LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. And while those platforms can help create visibility and authority, here’s the truth:

You don’t own that audience—the platform does.

Algorithms change. Organic reach drops. Your ability to connect with prospects is completely out of your control.

And that’s exactly why building—and owning—your email list is no longer optional. It’s essential.

Social Media Reach Is Shrinking. Email Cuts Through.

Let’s look at the numbers. The average organic reach on LinkedIn hovers around 3%. That means if you have 1,000 followers, only about 30 people might see what you post.

Now consider email. Barring spam or promotions folders, email reaches nearly 100% of your list. That means your message actually lands where it needs to—right in front of your audience.

For financial advisors, who are in a relationship-driven business, the ability to connect directly and consistently is everything.

Why Your Email List Is Your Most Valuable Asset

When you build an email list, you’re creating a direct line of communication with people who’ve shown interest in your services, your perspective, or your content.

Here’s what email marketing gives you:

• Control over who sees your message—and when

• The ability to nurture trust with consistent, value-driven content

• A reliable platform for converting leads into meetings (and clients)

• A way to stay top-of-mind, even when markets are quiet

Unlike social media, your email list can’t be taken away, shut down, or throttled by an algorithm.

Advisors Need to Think Long-Term

The best time to build your email list was five years ago. The second-best time? Today.

But it’s not just about starting a Mailchimp account and sending a monthly newsletter. To see results, you need to:

• Capture emails from your existing social audience

• Offer something of value in exchange for contact info

• Follow up with consistency and intention

And yes—it’s completely possible to add 3–6 qualified contacts per day to your list, without spending hours in the DMs or buying leads.

Ready to Build a List That Works While You Work?

If you're serious about scaling your business, stop building your foundation on borrowed attention. Social media is an introduction. Email is the relationship.

If you want help creating a system to grow your list daily—and nurture it with content that converts—I’ve got proven strategies that are working right now for financial advisors across the country.

Send me a message. I’ll show you exactly how to get started.