In WiserAdvisor’s groundbreaking 2025 State of Digital Leads Report, our research reveals a significant shift in how the next generation of investors finds financial advisors. Unlike their predecessors, younger investors aren’t relying primarily on personal referrals — they’re actively searching online for the right advisor match.
This shift has fueled tremendous growth in the digital leads space. Since the pandemic, WiserAdvisor has seen investor lead volume grow by 120%, with over $15 billion in potential AUM referred to firms of all sizes in 2024. The data is clear: digital leads are becoming more prevalent, delivering strong ROI and high conversion rates for advisory firms that know how to handle them properly.
However, the digital lead landscape is rapidly evolving. Competition is intensifying, costs are rising, and conversion strategies that work for traditional referrals often fall flat with digital prospects. Our comprehensive report dives deep into these trends and provides actionable insights for advisors looking to capitalize on this growing opportunity.
Five Winning Strategies for Digital Lead Conversion
Based on our extensive experience and data analysis, here are a few key strategies that top-performing advisors use to convert digital leads:
- Act fast with a personal phone call
The digital lead race rewards speed. When a prospect submits their information, they’re likely evaluating multiple advisors simultaneously. A prompt, personal phone call helps you stand out from the competition and demonstrates your responsiveness. - Leverage multiple communication channels
While phone calls should be your first approach, incorporating strategic text messaging after initial contact can dramatically improve engagement. With SMS open rates approaching 98%, this channel provides an excellent opportunity to reinforce your value proposition. - Lead with value, not sales
Digital leads respond best to advisors who demonstrate value upfront. Offering exclusive, helpful content showcases your expertise and differentiates your firm from competitors who lead with generic sales pitches. - Implement a systematic follow-up process
Converting digital leads requires persistence across multiple channels. Our data shows that consistent, value-focused follow-up significantly increases conversion rates over time. - Practice strategic patience
Don’t give up too quickly. Many digital leads may take months to convert, but they’re often worth the wait. Our experience has seen fascinating patterns in lead conversion timelines that every advisory firm should understand.
The Complete Digital Leads Playbook
These strategies are just the beginning. Our comprehensive 2025 State of Digital Leads Report reveals much more, including:
- The true quality profile of digital leads we’re seeing (hint: it’s much higher than most advisors assume)
- How competition dynamics are reshaping lead acquisition strategies
- The fundamental differences between converting digital leads versus traditional referrals
- The emerging role of online reviews in the digital lead ecosystem
If you’re serious about accelerating your firm’s organic growth in 2025 and beyond, this report provides the insights you need. Download the 2025 State of Digital Leads Report today.