Scheduling Meetings

Scheduling Your Consultation

Most advisors on Riafin offer a complimentary initial consultation. This is your opportunity to get to know the advisor and determine if they're the right fit for your needs.

How to Schedule

Option 1: Online Scheduling (Recommended)

1. Go to the advisor's profile
2. Click "Schedule Meeting"
3. Select your preferred meeting type:
   • In-person at their office
   • Video call (Zoom, Teams, etc.)
   • Phone call
4. Choose from available time slots
5. Add topics you'd like to discuss
6. Provide your contact information
7. Confirm your appointment

Option 2: Direct Contact

If the advisor doesn't offer online scheduling:

1. Click "Send Message" on their profile
2. Express interest in an initial consultation
3. Suggest a few times that work for you
4. Wait for their response (usually within 24-48 hours)

Option 3: Call Directly

Some advisors prefer phone scheduling:

• Phone number is listed on their profile
• Call during business hours
• Mention you found them through Riafin

Choosing the Right Format

Preparing for Your Meeting

Information to Gather

Financial Documents (if comfortable sharing):

• Recent account statements
• Tax returns (last 1-2 years)
• Pay stubs or income documentation
• Insurance policies
• Estate planning documents
• Debt statements

Questions to Ask

About Their Practice:

• How long have you been a financial advisor?
• What types of clients do you typically work with?
• What are your areas of specialization?
• How many clients do you currently serve?

About Their Approach:

• How do you develop financial plans?
• What's your investment philosophy?
• How often will we meet?
• How do you communicate between meetings?

About Fees:

• How are you compensated?
• What are your fee structures?
• Are there any additional costs?
• How do fees change as assets grow?

About Services:

• What services are included?
• Do you provide tax planning?
• How do you handle insurance needs?
• Can you coordinate with my other professionals?

Red Flag Questions

Pay attention to how they answer:

• "What makes you different from other advisors?"
• "Can you guarantee investment returns?"
• "Are you a fiduciary?" (Should be yes, or explain why not)
• "What's your succession plan?"

During the Meeting

What to Expect

Typical Flow:

1. Introductions (5-10 min)

   • Get to know each other
   • Advisor explains their background

2. Your Situation (15-20 min)

   • You share your financial goals and concerns
   • Discuss current challenges
   • Explain what you're looking for

3. Their Approach (15-20 min)

   • Advisor explains their process
   • Discuss potential strategies
   • Answer your questions

4. Next Steps (5-10 min)

   • Explain how to become a client
   • Discuss timeline
   • Provide follow-up materials

Taking Notes

Keep track of:

• Key points discussed
• Strategies mentioned
• Fees quoted
• Your impressions and feelings
• Follow-up items

Assessing Fit

During the meeting, evaluate:

Communication Style

• Do they listen more than talk?
• Do they explain things clearly?
• Do they use jargon or plain language?
• Do you feel comfortable asking questions?

Professionalism

• Are they punctual?
• Is their office/background professional?
• Do they seem organized?
• Are they respectful of your time?

Expertise

• Do they understand your situation?
• Do they ask thoughtful questions?
• Do they offer relevant insights?
• Do they seem knowledgeable?

After the Meeting

Follow-Up Steps

Within 24 Hours:

1. Review your notes
2. Complete the "Post-Meeting Survey" in your Riafin dashboard
3. Document your impressions while fresh

Within 1 Week:

1. Compare this advisor to others you've met
2. Request any follow-up information promised
3. Check references if provided
4. Verify credentials independently if desired

Making Your Decision

Create a Comparison Matrix:

If You Want to Move Forward

Next Steps:

1. Inform the Advisor: Let them know you'd like to work together
2. Review Agreement: Carefully read the client agreement
3. Understand Fees: Confirm fee structure and payment schedule
4. Gather Documents: Prepare financial documents for onboarding
5. Set First Official Meeting: Schedule your planning session

If You Decide Not to Proceed

Politely Decline:

• Thank them for their time
• Be honest but kind about your decision
• You don't need to provide detailed reasons
• Leave the door open for future contact if appropriate

Example Message:

"Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. After careful consideration, I've decided to work with another advisor who I feel is a better fit for my specific needs. I appreciate your insights and wish you continued success."

Multiple Meetings

Second Consultations

Some situations warrant additional meetings:

• Complex situations: More time needed to understand
• Spouse inclusion: Both partners want to meet
• Expertise verification: Discuss specific technical issues
• Comfort building: Need more time to establish trust

Meeting Costs

First Meeting: Usually free (30-60 minutes) Subsequent Meetings: May have fees depending on:

• Advisor's policies
• Complexity of planning work
• Whether you're a formal client yet

Virtual Meeting Tips

Technology Preparation

Before the Call:

• Test your camera and microphone
• Ensure stable internet connection
• Close unnecessary applications
• Find a quiet, private space
• Have good lighting on your face

During the Call:

• Mute when not speaking
• Look at the camera, not the screen
• Have documents ready to share
• Take notes on paper or separate device

Screen Sharing

If reviewing documents together:

• Close sensitive/unrelated windows
• Only share the specific document
• Test screen sharing beforehand
• Know how to stop sharing

Troubleshooting

Scheduling Conflicts

If No Times Work:

• Contact the advisor directly
• Explain your scheduling constraints
• Ask about after-hours or weekend availability
• Request to be notified of cancellations

Technical Issues

Video/Audio Problems:

• Have phone number as backup
• Test technology 10 minutes before
• Restart your device if needed
• Have advisor's direct contact info

Cancellation Policy

If You Need to Cancel:

• Provide 24-hour notice when possible
• Reschedule rather than cancel if interested
• Apologize for inconvenience
• Be respectful of their time

Best Practices Summary

Do:

• ✅ Prepare questions in advance
• ✅ Be honest about your situation
• ✅ Take notes during the meeting
• ✅ Ask about fees and services
• ✅ Trust your instincts
• ✅ Follow up promptly
• ✅ Complete Riafin feedback surveys

Don't:

• ❌ Feel pressured to decide immediately
• ❌ Share more than you're comfortable with
• ❌ Ignore red flags
• ❌ Skip the preparation
• ❌ Ghost the advisor if not interested
• ❌ Forget to verify credentials

Next Steps

• Learn About Writing Reviews
• Review Guidelines
• FAQ for New Clients