I ran up against a guy in my town that was doing that. He got paid by the community college to teach a class to retired people about investing. Low and behold, he tried to get one of my clients to move 700K into an equity index annuity. So once I educated the client that it wasn’t a good fit for him, I blew the whistle with the college that he was making recommendations to his students. What an asshat.

I have taught many classes. Jones just updated their investment class series, and it is very good. I use it as my blueprint. I teach through a few different locations, and it has been VERY effective. Not only have I picked up some rather large clients (though nothing earth-shattering), it has been great PR for me. A lot of people recognize my name in the course catalogs that go out to the community. It’s a great deal for a few nights a month. It is PURELY educational though. I don’t give any recommendations during class. More often than not, if the people in class have money (and sometimes even when they don’t), they ask for an appointment, It’s like a 4 week interview with a handful of prospects.

One other thing - it’s pretty much free, and I get reimbursed any costs that I incur (some by Jones, and some by the program I teach through - but my costs are so minimal, because it’s not a meal/seminar thing). This is why it’s rgeat for someone with either (a) access to a community that would jump at these classes, or (b) someone without a lot of funds to run seminars.

yeah, I do a similar think as B24, Mine is 3 times per year, a 3 week course on Estate planning I co-teach with an attorney.  Quality of prospect is high due to them paying to attend.  usually 6-8 students per semester and I average 1.5 new clients per semester with 250-300k avg account size.  Good return for minimal time committment.

I am looking at these ultimately from a sales perspective, but in the short term, as a way to meet people and develop relationships. Should these be held at my office or at a neutral site such as a library or coffee shop ? Also, how many sessions should there be? I find it hard to believe that people would show up 4 or 5 straight weeks.

[quote=GT Key]

 Also, how many sessions should there be? I find it hard to believe that people would show up 4 or 5 straight weeks.

I hold them at schools.  The two programs I do them through are high school continuing ed programs and a comm. college non-credit adult ed program.