Anna Ricci Marketing & Design

A few months ago, Ethan reached out to me wondering if he could intern with me for the semester, as he was interested in marketing & design but didn't have a lot of real-world experience yet. I decided that it was a great idea, but wanted him to get adequately trained first, so I put together a 4-month program (in 1 weekend 😅) that taught him how to use Illustrator and Photoshop; how to create a logo & brand design; how to create a website, and so much more. He is LIGHTYEARS ahead of where he was 4-months ago from a design perspective (he agrees) and I'm so proud of him!

Not only am I proud of him for all of his improvement, but also for reaching out in the first place (and for sticking through it even when it was difficult)! It can be challenging to take the steps to improve ourselves, but it is oh so worth it once we get to where we want to be. Here are some of my favorite pieces Ethan created through his learning process (so far)! Which one is your favorite? Tell us in the comments below!

Today is AnriMade's FIRST birthday. 🤯 I'm just overwhelmed with gratitude. Gratitude that I get to do what I love everyday; gratitude for my clients who trust in me to support them and their companies; gratitude for my family who always encouraged me to follow my heart and do BIG things; gratitude for my past self for taking the leap and spreading her wings - helping me to become the woman I am today. And of course, gratitude for God for supporting my company and helping it thrive.

It's crazy to look at this past year and see how far I've come. Let me tell you, there is a fair bit of faking it until you make it when starting your own business.

I remember a time (not that long ago) when I didn't know the difference between Photoshop and Illustrator. "How do people know when to use one or the other?"

Well, now not only do I know the difference, but I teach people, like my intern Ethan, how to use both programs. 🙌

All of this to say, don't let fear of not knowing enough ever hold you back. You're never going to know everything, and you learn a lot by DOING. So, get out there! I believe in you and your dreams and know you are meant for something great.

If I didn't break out of my comfort zone a year ago, I wouldn't be the person I am today - a person dedicated to serving her clients the highest quality services because she believes in them and what they are doing. Someone who goes out of her way to educate people and help them feel informed, as the marketing industry can so often leave people in the dark. Someone who believes in the power of manifestation, God, and tapping into our gifts to serve the world at a large scale. 💫

Let me ask you - what are you doing today to help you become your best self tomorrow, next month, or next year? How are you breaking out of your comfort zone to become someone better, stronger, more confident, more caring?

Think about it, and let me know if you feel called to do so. I love hearing from you!

Thank you again to everyone who believed in me from the beginning (and always). It means the world to me to have your support in this journey. This is just the beginning, and I can't wait to celebrate many more years with you. 🤍

Something keeps coming up for me lately - and that is the POWER BEHIND FOCUS. 🔌 For those of you who subscribe to my monthly newsletter, you know this was my theme for last month. If you want to subscribe, send me a DM with your email address and I'll add you to the list 😊

To be honest, it is hard for me to stay focused. There are just so many things that I'm interested in that I want to do! But the truth is, I won't be able to do any of them well if I don't pick something and stick to it.

They say "if you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one." I'm starting to take that way more seriously, and I encourage you to, as well. We were all put on this planet to do something great, and we can't do anything great if we don't choose a path and focus on it (without worrying about what is happening elsewhere). 🐇

Do you think any of the greats of today (Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, etc.) would have gotten to where they were going without focus? What if Steve Jobs decided to split his attention between Apple and some other company? Do you think it would have turned into what it is today?

There is great POWER behind true FOCUS. 🌠 There is just a different energy to projects when people working on them are ALL IN.

What are you FOCUSED on right now? Where are you going, and how do you KNOW that you're going to get there? I would love to know 🤍

THE POWER OF POP-UPS: Generating Customers and Building Community 🙌

Pop-ups are graphic elements that gracefully overlay a web page's content, strategically designed to seize your visitor's attention and convey targeted messages or prompts.

But here's where the real magic happens – they're incredibly effective at generating leads and nurturing a thriving community.

When someone lands on your website, it's a sign of interest in your product or service. You're already on the right track! However, to seal the deal, they might need that extra nudge.

Perhaps they're looking for a discount code to sweeten the deal, more in-depth information about your services before they commit, or a timely reminder about your offerings when they're ready to engage.

This is where pop-ups come to the rescue. With a well-timed pop-up, you can offer a discount code or a complimentary PDF in exchange for their email address. It's a win-win – they feel they're getting more value, while you gain a direct channel to deepen your relationship and keep your brand top-of-mind through effective email campaigns.

So, don't underestimate the potential of website pop-ups! They're not just about grabbing attention; they're your secret weapon for forging meaningful connections and nurturing a thriving community. 🌟

Hi, Friends! I wanted to offer a gentle reminder that good things often take time 🕰️

I feel like today, in world where everything comes so quickly to us, we lose sight of the fact that sometimes all a situation needs is a bit of time. Whether you're recovering from a setback, waiting for your dream job, or hoping for a client to commit, remember that it's perfectly ok to take things slow. 🐌

Healing may not happen overnight, job offers may not come as quickly as you'd like, and potential clients might not book right away. And that's alright! 🙌

Give these situations some space to breathe.

I've found that fixes almost everything.

Since I started my company, I made it a goal to not pressure anyone into working with me. No strict deadlines, no "buy now or pay full price later" schemes. So far, it has really worked for me. It has created a knowingness that when a client decides to work with me, they're fully committed to working together and they value the work I do. 🌟

You don't want clients who feel coerced into paying more than they're comfortable with for a service they're uncertain about. 🙅

That is just setting both of you up for failure!

So let them come to you in their own time. That is not to say that you shouldn't keep telling people about your business - it is just to say that it is better to knock on 1,000 different doors than knock on the same one 1,000 times. 🚪

And let other things happen in their own time too.

Best of luck out there - and remember to be patient. Everything you want is on it's way to you, I know it, but don't force it! 💫

BEFORE & AFTER: Financial Firm Welcome Kit! 👋

We recently completed an exciting project for a California-based financial firm! They were eager to breathe new life into their welcome kit, and we're thrilled with the stunning transformation. We wanted to share 2 pieces with you from the kit, as we feel like there is always a lot to learn from before and after shots 🧠

🔹 What Makes a Piece Stand Out & Look Professional?
The power of impactful images can't be underestimated - as demonstrated by the stunning "The 5 Great Goals of Life." Choose visuals that resonate with your audience to create a memorable experience! However, sometimes certain images might not fit the context, as we saw with "The Confidential Profile." Picking the right imagery is vital to the success of any design!

🔹 To Include White Space or Not to Include White Space?
Take a closer look at "The 5 Great Goals of Life" - here's how we used white space to maintain a clean, organized layout and draw attention to the key elements. 💡 But that's not all! With "The Confidential Profile," we strategically saved white space for later use. Don't be afraid of white space, but also be ok with forgoing it sometimes for an extra pop to your designs!

🔹 Welcome Kit Cohesion Matters!
At our marketing firm, we believe every piece in a welcome kit should shine on its own and work together seamlessly! Our after pieces showcase cohesive design elements, consistent branding, and a unified color palette - tying everything together beautifully. The other pieces, not so much.

Share your thoughts on what you believe makes a piece stand out and appear professional! Let's continue inspiring each other in our creative endeavors. 🚀

IMPORTANCE OF GIFT GIVING 🎁 Recently, I listened to a commencement speech by Jesse Itzler where he shared his 7 Things Everyone Should Know.

He started with: GO TO THE FUNERAL. He said that you go to funerals to support the people who are grieving, and people who are grieving never forget who was there for them in their time of need.

In addition to showing up, you can show people support by sending them gifts. For example, if you speak with a client and they are struggling - send them flowers to show you're thinking about them! Or, if they're celebrating something big, send them macaroons, chocolates, or a card. Something you think they would like!

Going a little out of our way for the people in our lives makes a huge difference! What is your favorite gift to give, and what is your favorite gift to receive?

One thing that has been on my mind lately is WHAT IS MY WHY. Setting goals is important, but setting them with intention (with a why) is really where the magic lies. You might want to start your own business, but if you don't have a good reason WHY you want to do that, you likely won't take the leap. Same goes for things like losing weight, making more money, and reading more.

I always thought my WHY for starting my own company was that I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it.

But what I realized a couple months ago is my biggest WHY is my family (like my sister, Amanda)! More than anything, I want to be able to provide for my family - whether that be making sure they would be taken care of if they needed it, getting them nice gifts during the holidays, and having the opportunity to hire them if they wanted. This goes for my family now, and the future family I hope to have someday.

This is what gets me out of the bed and the morning, and what makes me want to keep pushing the needle forward, even on the days it can feel hard.

What is your WHY? What gets you out of bed in the morning? I would love to know!

Introducing Mountain Crest Therapy! ⛰️ It has been such a pleasure working on this brand for the past couple months. Swipe for the mood board that started it all.

What do you think? 💭

For a long time, I was stuck on how to make the logo unique, while keeping it modern, simple, and recognizable. I actually had a dream of the c (for crest) encircling the mountains that looked like an m (for mountain), and created it the next day! Talk about turning dreams into reality 😉

So grateful to be able to work with clients who push me to be a better designer and are a joy to work with and learn from 🤍

THE E MYTH REVISITED BY MICHAEL E. GE**ER: a must read book for entrepreneurs and small business owners 📚

In this book, Ge**er challenges the myth that passion alone is enough to build a successful business and provides practical insights to overcome common pitfalls. He emphasizes the importance of balancing the roles of technician, manager, and entrepreneur within a business and advocates for the creation of standardized systems that can be replicated and scaled.

Additionally, he introduces a brilliant approach where owners create an organizational chart based on their desired company structure, initially assigning themselves to all positions before delegating them to others. This strategy ensures clear expectations, eliminates task overlap, and enables the development of replicable processes.

How genius is that? 🤯

In the world of social media, here's a hot take: authenticity holds more value than consistency. 👏

I see a lot of financial advisors struggle with consistency on social media, and that's ok! While consistency has its merits, it's authenticity that allows you to establish genuine connections with your audience, differentiate yourself from the crowd, build trust, evoke emotions, and adapt to growth. 🌱

So, don't stress yourself out too much about posting 12 times a day at specific times. Instead, prioritize authenticity as the secret ingredient that propels your success in the dynamic landscape of social media. ⭐

Exciting News! 🌟 We are thrilled to announce the launch of our newly branded website designed exclusively for financial advisors looking to supercharge their marketing strategy (here is a sneak peak)! 🙌⚡👀

🌐 Explore our sleek and user-friendly website, tailored to cater specifically to the unique needs of financial advisors. Discover how we can help you stand out in a crowded market and attract your ideal clients.

✅ Personalized Approach: We know that each financial advisor has unique goals and challenges. That's why we take a personalized approach, tailoring our services to meet your specific needs and helping you achieve your objectives.

✅ Cutting-Edge Strategies: Stay ahead of the curve with our innovative marketing strategies. From social media advertising and content creation to lead generation and brand positioning, we've got you covered.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to take your marketing efforts to the next level. Visit our new website today and unlock your advisor potential today!

👉 Website: www.anrimade.com

📞 Contact us now for a free consultation and let's discuss how we can revamp your marketing game. Together, we'll make your financial advisory business a resounding success! 🌟

Hi Everyone 👋 My name is Anna Ricci and I am the founder of AnriMade, a marketing company that services predominantly financial advisors. So much has changed since October 2022, when I started AnriMade, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to reintroduce myself 🙃

Here are 5 fun facts about me:

1. AnriMade is my second company! I started my first company, Bee You, in high school. It was an apparel company! 🐝
2. I've spent time in 33 of the 50 states in the United States, and I have lived in 4 states including New York, Virginia, Nevada, and Florida 🇺🇸
3. I was a vegan for 4 years, and just started eating meat again in 2022! 🍔
4. I practice yoga (pretty much) everyday 🧘‍♀️
5. I have a puppy named Harvey; he's a miniature dachshund who loves to cuddle 🐶

I would love to know more about all of you! What is a fun fact about you?

Your clients want to hear from you, but not in the form of canned, stale content. If you don't invest time and energy into your communications with your clients, then your clients might just find someone else who does. ✌️

In fact, 85% of clients consider frequency and style of communication when determining whether to stay with their current advisor or not, according to a Kitces study. That is a huge majority! 🤯

So, what can you do today? Consider your current communication channels (your social media, emails, and brochures) and determine if they are in alignment with how you want clients to view your firm. Are they impressive? Are they consistent? If not, make sure you take steps to make them better. 🌟

Tip: find social media pages, emails, and brochures you like and use aspects of them in your own pieces. Usually, what you think looks good, others will too!

Reach out with any questions or concerns on this topic! We're always here to help!

Your mornings create your days, your days create your weeks, your weeks create your months, your months create your years, and your years create your life, Mimi Bouchard of always says. 👏

Do you need more than that to realize how important your mornings are? Whether you're a financial advisor, or another type of business owner, it is important that your morning routines are setting you up for success in LIFE.

This includes: hydrating, getting sunlight in your eyes, getting good sleep the night before, eating a healthy and filling breakfast, spending time with yourself, morning movement, anything that centers you, brings you joy, and wakes you up! Of course, not every day will be perfect, but how can you fit at least one of these things in this week, so that you can show up the best for your clients?

If you're already into morning routines, share with us what you do in the morning to prep for the day! We would love to know!

Need some inspiration? 🌟 Here are our top 5 podcast picks for advisor growth, guidance, and success:

1. Experiments in Advisor Marketing, Episode 28: Step-by-Step: A Proven (and Simple) Content Marketing Formula Every Advisor Can Use https://loom.ly/kidCgB4
2. Financial Advisor Success Podcast, Episode 326: Finding Marketing Success by Building Spreadsheets to Track That Advisor Data with Erica Pauly https://loom.ly/kWVIVF8
3. Do Business. Do Life, Episode 11: Leveraging Tech to Deliver Unforgettable Client Experiences with Kyle Van Pelt https://loom.ly/nuUzlcQ
4. Experiments in Advisor Marketing, Episode 18: How to Grow Your Instagram from Zero to 80K+ in 18 Months https://loom.ly/kidCgB4
5. The Ed Mylett Show: Unlocking Your Success Code https://loom.ly/8WqfnTg

We're also huge podcast fans in general, and we would also love to know what podcasts are your favorite. Please tell us in the comments below!