Inside the HNW Mindset: Marketing Made Personal

Angela Streba
Angela Streba

08.12.25 in Marketing & Practice Management

Estimated Reading Time: 1 Minutes (91 words)

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Working with advisors to build strong, cohesive brands, I’ve learned that capturing the attention of high-net-worth (HNW) clients requires more than just expertise in wealth management. Just as important is understanding their unique needs and expectations. This knowledge can help you develop messaging that attracts this lucrative segment and build lasting relationships with clients and their families for generations to come.

Ready to dive into the HNW mindset? Watch this video for the four best practices that I recommend to our advisors to enhance their HNW marketing efforts.

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Duration: 00:03:48

Angela Streba

You have a goal to reach high-net-worth clients with your marketing, but is your messaging really speaking to their wants and needs?

If you’re not sure about the answer to this question, this video is for you. Hi, I’m Angela Streba, director of advisor brands at Commonwealth. Today, I’m going to share four best practices that I recommend to our advisors who are trying to attract high-net-worth clients. Let’s get started.

Number one: Simplify the complex.

With wealth comes complexity, and no two journeys are the same—but there are some common threads among the high-net-worth set. 66% of high-net-worth investors want more personalization in their wealth management relationships, and 32% of millionaires said they would leave their advisor if they weren’t receiving financial advice beyond just investments.

High-net-worth clients value simplicity amid the many decisions that come with wealth. You’ll want to build a marketing strategy and messaging that clearly indicates you are the best choice to make their lives easier, provide financial clarity, and offer the holistic, personalized investment solutions they’re looking for.

Number two: Tap into younger generations.

You’ve likely heard of the “great wealth transfer”—the impending massive transfer of $83.5 trillion in wealth from baby boomers and the Silent Generation to Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z. The clock is ticking! A study from Capgemini Research shows that 81% of high-net-worth investors plan to switch from their parents’ wealth management firm within 1 to 2 years of receiving their inheritance.

So, what does this mean for your marketing efforts? You’ll need to make sure you prioritize the following: your company’s social media accounts, a user-friendly website, and a strong brand story to create connections, build excitement, and, most importantly, signal to this younger generation that you’re ready to grow with them.

Number three: Prioritize family dynamics.

A Fidelity study revealed that 7 in 10 women own investments in the stock market—that’s an 18% increase since 2023. To make sure you retain your client’s account after the primary contact’s death, involve both spouses in your regular marketing communications through emails, periodic check-in calls, and especially in-person meetings whenever possible.

Number four: Be the single source of truth.

Once you understand where your clients’ wealth comes from and what kind of lifestyle they value, you can build a brand and message that clearly communicates why working with your firm is the right choice for them.

For example, think about showcasing the value you bring as a true “family office,” serving as the primary point of contact for your client’s entire financial strategy and ensuring all decisions—tax, estate, or investment—pass through you. Knowing you will be the single source of truth who understands their needs will be a huge relief to HNW clients.

At Commonwealth, we’ve been helping advisors like you for over 45 years. By approaching HNW clients with competency, authenticity, and dedication, you will be well on your way to attracting and maintaining their business.

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Please consult your member firm's compliance policies and obtain prior approval for any ideas discussed in this video before moving forward.

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Angela's Key Points

HNW clients are seeking a “family office” to simplify the complexities of their wealth, serving as the central hub for all financial matters. In addition to wealth management, a true family office is a deeply personal, highly tailored partnership—one that extends far beyond investments. Your marketing strategy should emphasize that you are qualified to provide holistic, personalized financial advice, complemented by exceptional service.

HNW client retention is made complicated by the "Great Wealth Transfer,” a massive intergenerational movement of assets that will reshape client portfolios nationwide. Cerulli anticipates that $84 trillion in wealth will be transferred from baby boomers and the Silent Generation to Generation Z, millennials, and even Gen Z by 2045, creating both an unprecedented challenge and opportunity. This means the relationships that advisors have cultivated over decades will eventually transition to their heirs, who often have different values, communication preferences, and financial priorities. Consistently posting engaging content on your company’s social media accounts, having a user-friendly website, and sending timely electronic responses is paramount to keeping the attention of these younger audiences.

Advisors often fail to engage both spouses throughout the relationship, only to realize that upon the account holder’s passing, their widow becomes the primary account holder. With no meaningful connection or relationship with the advisor, she often takes the assets elsewhere. To prevent this scenario, ensure that both spouses are consistently involved in your marketing communications and relationship-building efforts, even if one handles most of the financial decisions. This includes any marketing emails, periodic check-in calls, social media engagement, and especially in-person meetings whenever possible.

Familiarize yourself with a high-net-worth client’s existing network of lawyers, tax planners, and other specialists while positioning yourself as the center of influence and “single source of truth” for their financial affairs. If your firm doesn’t offer a specific service a HNW client requires, demonstrate your integrity by acknowledging this limitation while offering to connect them with a vetted professional from your network who can address their needs. This reinforces your role as a trusted coordinator and shows your commitment to meeting their needs.

This material is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice.

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