Description

In this episode of Financial Behavior Thought Leaders, host Dr. Mary Bell Carlson sits down with Laura Garfield, co-founder of Idea Decanter and a trailblazing voice in video marketing for financial professionals. Laura isn’t just an expert behind the camera. Her journey from TV newsrooms to the keynote stage and founder of a successful video marketing firm offers a rich, authentic perspective on why finfluence—using video to grow authority and business—is the new imperative for today’s financial advisors.

Mary and Laura dive deep into the evolution of Laura’s career, from the challenges and triumphs of her early reporting days (including a memorable “flop” on live TV) to her emergence as a sought-after keynote speaker. Laura shares candid stories of overcoming fear and failure, building empathy for others with camera shyness, and reveals what it really takes to help financial advisors carve out a credible, compelling presence in the noisy world of social media finance content.

Throughout the episode, Laura explains why video is quickly becoming one of the most powerful tools in an advisor’s toolkit—both for client prospecting and nurturing established relationships. The conversation takes listeners behind the scenes of Laura’s signature keynote, "Find Your Finfluence," and includes lively, actionable anecdotes about advisors who have successfully harnessed video to build trust, streamline communication, and spark significant business growth.

About Laura Garfield

Laura started her career in broadcast journalism learning how to ask the right questions to get to the heart of the story. In 2014, she co-founded Idea Decanter to help advisors use content to build authority and grow their businesses. The company’s work has been named as a finalist for 4 Wealthies Awards and a Luminaries. As host of The Real #Finfluencers, Laura puts her reporter skills to work digging up top performing advisors’ secrets to video marketing success.

Key Takeaways:

1. Anyone Can Find Their “Finfluence” Laura breaks down the term “finfluence”—the new intersection of finance and influence—and reassures advisors that video content isn’t just for the young or tech-savvy. With the right mindset and a willingness to be authentic, any advisor can use video to educate, connect, and cut through the noise of bad financial advice proliferating on social media.
2. Start Simple and Embrace Imperfection Laura’s own early stumbles, both on TV and online, highlight that perfection isn’t the goal—starting is. Advisors don’t need expensive gear or a Hollywood setup; a webcam and a message from the heart can go a long way. Laura cites real-life examples of advisors creating impactful videos with minimal infrastructure, reinforcing that the secret is to take that first step, however imperfect it may feel.
3. Video Builds Trust and Deepens Relationships Research shows that video triggers a sense of personal connection far better than email or written communication. Laura explains how advisors can use short videos not just to prospect, but also to serve and nurture current clients—making them feel seen and valued, and turning them into powerful referral sources.
4. Consistency is Key to Growth Replacing cold-calling hours with regular video creation builds momentum over time, even if immediate results aren’t obvious. Laura shares the story of an advisor who persisted through months of slow progress to ultimately win dozens of new “right-fit” clients. Consistency—not viral hits—is what unlocks compounding returns.
5. Be Personal to Stand Out Adding personal stories, quirks, and even pets into your content draws people in and sets you apart in a crowded field. Laura candidly discusses her own experiments incorporating personal anecdotes (including “never washing her hair!”) and...