How to Reach Out to a Financial Advisor: What to Say and What to Share

Requesting a meeting with an advisor can intimidating. You may worry that you don’t know the right questions or that you’re wasting their time. But if your assets meet the advisor’s minimum account size (information found on their ValuesAdvisor profile), meeting directly with an advisor is an important first step. And they’re happy to hear from you!

This blog will walk you through exactly what to include in an outreach message.

After you’ve sent the email, the next step is preparing questions for the interview, which you can read about in our blog post: Questions to Ask an Advisor in an Interview.

What to Include in Your First Message

A good first message gives the advisor some context but without personal account details. Consider including:

• Where you found them (for example, on the ValuesAdvisor platform).
• A request for a short introductory meeting, such as 30 or 60 minutes, to learn more about their services.
• A sentence about what you're hoping to learn, such as their approach to values-aligned investing.
• Let them know that your assets fall within their minimum account size range. Do not share the exact number.

What Not to Send

Before a first meeting, do not share:

• Account statements or tax returns.
• Exact account balances or account totals.
• Any other sensitive financial documents.

Before You Send It

You don't need to have your finances fully organized, your goals perfectly articulated, or a decision already made about hiring this advisor. Reaching out is the first step in a longer conversation, and it's fine to figure some of it out as you go.

A Simple Sample Outreach Email

If you're not sure what to say, here's a starting point you can adjust to fit your situation:

Subject: Introductory Meeting Request

Hi [Advisor's Name],

I recently reviewed your profile on the ValuesAdvisor platform (or state where you found them) and would like to schedule a short 30-minute (or 60-minute) meeting to learn more about your practice and services.

I meet your minimum account size requirement and would like to explore whether working together might be a good fit.

During our meeting, I'd appreciate hearing a brief overview of your services, while leaving time for a few questions I have.

Please let me know some times that work for you.

Thank you,

[Your Name]

Planning Questions for Your First Meeting

This meeting is mainly a chance for you to figure out whether the advisor is the right fit for you. It's a chance for you to get a general sense of the advisor, whether they listen and take time to answer your questions and have the expertise you’re looking for.

For help coming up with a list of questions to ask during an advisor interview, see our blog post: Questions to Ask an Advisor in an Interview.