Many wealth managers consider the end of the year a dead zone when it comes to marketing. Nothing could be further from the truth. The period from Thanksgiving through the New Year is an ideal time for financial advisors to close out the year with prospects and clients and set the tone for the year ahead. Even though it is often a busy period, it is worth the time and effort to reach out to clients and prospects in December.

This article reveals eight proven ways for financial professionals to close out the year in meaningful ways.

The Year-End Opportunity for Wealth Managers

The holiday season is the ideal time for:

• Reviewing client progress toward financial goals over the past year.
• Beginning to think about planning for the year ahead.
• Educating prospects on investing strategies they should consider in 2026.
• Informing investors about what might lie ahead in the markets and economy.
• Building relationships in less formal (and more festive) ways.

Doing these things will allow you to deliver value and build trust among existing and prospective clients. You will particularly stand out from other financial firms that go silent at the end of the year.

Effective Year-End Marketing Tactics for Wealth Managers

Wealth managers play a very personal role in their clients’ lives, managing investments and helping individuals and families achieve their personal and financial goals. It could feel like a big miss to not connect with clients and prospects during the holiday season. Here are some opportunities to do just that.

1. Compile year-end client summaries

Most financial advisors conduct annual (or more frequent) client reviews throughout the year. Still, year-end presents an excellent opportunity to recap progress over the previous twelve months and present opportunities for the upcoming year. These overviews do not need to be lengthy or in-depth, but they should be highly personalized to each client.

Pro tip: If a client did particularly well in 2025, it could be the perfect time to request referrals. Year-end is an excellent time to grow your business through referrals.

2. Send educational content

As you identify opportunities for prospects and clients in 2026, it could be smart to send them content related to them, whether it’s about planning for retirement or college, or to understand a novel investment strategy. It could prime the pump to get people to act early in 2026.

3. Focus on year-end planning

Another opportunity to connect with investors in December is to send them information about year-end planning. Address key issues like:

• Tax-loss harvesting
• Rebalancing
• Retirement planning updates
• Charitable giving
• Tax planning
• Economic and market outlooks
• Estate and legacy planning.

Doing this could spark a lot of appointment requests and fruitful discussions.

4. Host a year-end webinar or event

Host a webinar or in-person session to discuss market trends, 2026 economic forecasts, and potential future financial changes. This can be a great way to attract new prospects who are experiencing year-end anxiety and demonstrate your wealth management expertise to them.

Pro tip: The holidays are the perfect time to meet up with clients in a more informal setting than an in-person meeting or Zoom call. Consider a lunch or dinner with top clients and prospects. (Just work with compliance to make sure you stay within regulatory limits.) Many people are more willing to discuss their financial dreams and goals in an honest way in a less formal setting.

5. Send holiday wishes

Most people celebrate something at the end of the year. It presents a chance to wish them well. Make sure you customize your wishes to individual clients. If you’re not sure what a client celebrates, New Year’s is generally recognized by everyone.

Pro tip: Most people today are overloaded with electronic communications. Consider sending printed cards with personal messages to clients and prospects. It could surprise and delight them and warm up your relationship.

6. Post on social media

Consider shifting your social media messaging toward a year-end theme. It could help support your other efforts and reinforce key messages. The one-two punch of seeing something sent via email and on social media will make it more likely to get people to act.

7. Feature year-end promotions on your website

If you develop unique year-end communications and assets, ensure you feature them prominently on your website. Add a banner to your home page or feature the content prominently on your blog. More people will see it and act on it.

8. Connect with your network

The holidays are an ideal time to connect with professionals in your network, such as tax attorneys, accountants, insurance professionals, and others. It will keep you top-of-mind and earn some referrals.

Year-End Opportunities for Wealth Managers: The Final Word

December shouldn’t be a dead zone for client and prospect communications. It’s a perfect time to nurture and build relationships, generating new business now and in 2026.

Looking for fresh ideas to grow your operation in the year ahead? Connect with Dan Sondhelm and the team at Sondhelm Partners to discuss opportunities.