Financial Advisor how-to

How to Talk a Client Through a Market Drop

Calm advice prevents costly mistakes.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Quick answer

Calm advice prevents costly mistakes. In short: call; acknowledge; review, then complete the remaining steps below.

Step by step

  1. Call before they call you.

  2. Acknowledge the worry.

  3. Review the plan.

  4. Show history.

  5. Check cash needs.

  6. Avoid panic selling.

Safety reminders for financial advisors

  • Act in clients’ best interests
  • Protect client data
  • Follow FINRA and SEC rules
  • Watch for elder financial abuse

Fiduciary · CFP · Asset allocation · Diversification · Risk tolerance · Rebalancing: see the full financial advisor glossary.

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