Maintaining A Legally-Compliant Social Media Presence

The Challenge

Ever since Ali Barghelame founded Barghelame Wealth Advisors in Denver in 2005, he was eager to use social media to increase the visibility of his wealth management practice. However, he was well aware of the SEC’s and FINRA’s extensive marketing restrictions for financial advisors, so rather than risk an inadvertent violation, Barghelame chose not to have an active social media presence.

The Solution

Thanks to his legal background (16 years of active, general practice), Brad Friedman, was able to reassure Barghelame that it was possible for him to have a compliant, effective social media presence.

First we developed a new website for the firm, using an approved template and incorporating a modern and appealing logo and color scheme. We delivered content that presented a clear, differentiating message, rather than relying on industry “boilerplate” language so prevalent on financial sites.

Brad provided the social marketing guidance and support we needed in a very professional manner. Thanks to his experience with the financial industry’s regulatory standards, the process was very efficient and our messaging was legally compliant.

- Ali Barghelame, Barghelame Wealth Advisors, Inc.

Next, we optimized the LinkedIn profiles for Barghelame and his assistant, while maintaining compliance with legal and industry standards.

Finally we coordinated this effort and cleared all of the material with the firm’s legal compliance officers, freeing Barghelame from this time-consuming process.

The Results

Barghelame’s website traffic has increased markedly and his LinkedIn network has grown rapidly. We are now moving ahead and working with his team to put an email marketing campaign in place—again always using compliant messaging and practices.

Because of my background, I speak the same language as a firm’s compliance officers, and they appreciate the fact that they’re working with someone who understands their world.

- Brad Friedman, The Friedman Group, LLC