Financial Advisors Leverage Seminars, AI, and Automation for Growth

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new industry report from AcquireUp, a technology-first seminar marketing company for financial professionals, reveals how financial advisors are evolving their client acquisition strategies. The report found that advisors are blending referral marketing, educational and meal-based events, and automation to build more scalable and predictable net new asset growth, even as they face challenges with lean teams and limited internal marketing resources.

Why it matters

The findings highlight how financial advisors are adapting their growth strategies to meet the changing needs of clients and the industry. By leveraging a mix of traditional and innovative tactics, advisors are finding new ways to attract and retain qualified leads, which is crucial for the long-term success of their practices.

The details

The report, based on insights from over 500 financial professionals, found that while 66% of advisors plan to grow their client base over the next three years, many are doing so with limited resources. The key is in building repeatable systems around proven strategies like referrals, seminars, and automation. Nearly half of advisors say networking and referrals deliver the highest ROI, but 52% lack a formal referral program. To scale efficiently, 41% of advisors plan to use technology to streamline marketing, communication, and client engagement. Educational and meal-based seminars also remain a valuable acquisition channel, accounting for 25% of benchmark production.

• The 2026 Industry Index was released on April 1, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The full 2026 Industry Index report is available on the AcquireUp website, providing financial professionals with detailed insights and strategies for driving organic growth.