When should you start planning seminars? What days work best? Which seminar topics attract the most attendees? Our Seminar Planning Calendar provides actionable answers on timing strategies and marketing approaches for year-round success.
Summary
Start your Q1 seminar planning now. With at least a five-week lead time required for success, financial advisors must begin strategic planning immediately to capitalize on New Year's resolutions and tax season opportunities. Learn how to build a winning strategy with targeted demographics, multi-channel marketing, and optimal event timing.
Key Points
Q1 presents a unique window for financial professionals. New Year's resolutions are top of mind, and prospects are primed to focus on their financial futures. January offers the perfect backdrop for engaging prospects who want to start strong, while the months that follow provide momentum for sustained growth. Tax Prep Season in March and April also creates an ideal opportunity, as prospects are already thinking about their finances and considering tax-smart retirement and wealth planning strategies.
Success in seminars means planning at least five weeks before your first event date. If you want to launch seminars in early January, your planning should be underway now. This timeline allows you to:
Waiting until December to plan your January events is a recipe for missed opportunities and reactive decision-making. Early planning allows you to be strategic and intentional.
A solid Q1 plan hinges on several key elements:
Research shows that Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays deliver optimal attendance. Consider your target demographic carefully—prospects under 62 often struggle to attend midday events due to work commitments. If your audience includes working professionals or younger retirees, plan at least one dinner event alongside lunch options. Offering multiple event times and dates within a single campaign dramatically increases your reach and attendance rates.
Don't rely on a single approach. Combine direct mail with digital marketing through email, social ads, and retargeting. Fresh, engaging content is critical; avoid mailing the same offer to prospects more than once every 60-90 days to prevent audience fatigue. A multi-channel approach keeps your brand top of mind and significantly boosts conversion likelihood.
Best practices for multi-channel marketing:
Direct mail campaigns perform best with formal, wedding-style invitations that include a personal touch. Craft a compelling message and highlight your bio to connect with motivated prospects. The right tone can significantly boost your response rates and set the stage for meaningful conversations with high-intent prospects.
Top producers refine their audience using asset levels, household income, or a combination of criteria. Ask about identifying fresh, unmailed prospects—an untapped audience who hasn't yet been exposed to your message. This precision targeting maximizes your ROI and ensures your message reaches the right people.
January kicks off with New Year momentum. Prospects are ready to establish new financial habits and make strategic moves. Consider hosting seminars on topics like:
As you move into March and April's Tax Prep Season, pivot to tax-smart retirement strategies and estate planning topics that capitalize on prospects' heightened financial awareness.
The 2026 Seminar Planning Calendar is an essential tool for your Q1 planning. This resource provides:
Use this calendar as your planning guide. Reference the January and February pages to identify your ideal event dates, then cross-check against the recommended timing to ensure maximum attendance and impact.
This is where professional expertise makes all the difference. Partner with an AcquireUp Marketing Consultant to map out a long-term strategy tailored to your goals and budget. They'll help you:
Q1 offers tremendous potential for financial advisors willing to plan strategically and execute consistently. The seminars you launch in January, February, and March can set the tone for your entire year. Seminar marketing is one of the most effective ways to fill your pipeline with high-intent prospects—nearly 20% of clients find their advisors through educational events, according to the Kitces 2024 Marketing Survey.
But success depends on one often-overlooked element: creating a long-term strategy with proper planning timelines. Don't let Q1 slip away by waiting too long. Start your planning today, and you'll be positioned to deliver both immediate results and sustained growth throughout the year.
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You should begin planning at least five weeks before your first event date. For January seminars, this means planning in late November, but with the holiday season quickly approaching you might consider moving that timeline up even further.
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays show optimal attendance. Friday lunches can also be effective depending on your target demographic.
Avoid mailing the same offer more than once every 60-90 days to prevent audience fatigue and maintain engagement.
Offer both. Lunch events work well for retirees with flexible daytime schedules, while dinner events appeal to both retirees and working professionals under 62 who face daytime constraints. Dinner events typically attract higher attendance from prospects under 62 who are still in the workforce. By offering both lunch and dinner options, you maximize your reach across different demographics and schedules, ensuring you're accessible to your entire target audience.
The answer depends on your goals and ideal client profile. However, limiting yourself to one event format could mean missing half your potential audience. Educational and meal-based events appeal to different mindsets and stages in the buyer's journey.
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