Write so that clients want to read

What are other paraplanners and advisers saying about Communicate for Impact?

Richard Allum, Director, The Paraplanners

"Since one of my colleagues attended the Communicate for Impact programme, I have definitely noticed an improvement in her writing, overall structure and presentation. Paraplanners can often focus too heavily on the technical aspect of the job but the ability to translate that expertise is crucial so that clients can make an informed decision. I’m delighted to have seen such noticeable results and am encouraging the rest of my team to follow her lead."

Caroline Stuart, Sparrow Paraplanning Ltd

“Your extensive skills and technical knowledge are all well and good but how much use are they to a client if you’re not able to communicate simply?! Of course, no-one intentionally wants to bamboozle their clients and yet without possessing strong communication skills, that can often happen. This programme will give you the practical support you need to communicate with clients clearly, effectively and concisely. It will help you to simplify the complicated and explain technical jargon to clients quickly and easily.”

Andrew Findlay, Financial Adviser, Impartial Financial Advice Ltd

“Melissa Kidd is nothing short of a writing genius. Her ability to condense detailed technical concepts into a more client friendly readable content and teach us how to do it too, is quite literally astounding! And what is more, this is achieved without losing any of the importance or meaning. I highly recommend this course, to help improve your client communications and efficiency."

Qais Hamza, Chartered Financial Advisor, IHT & estate planning specialist.

"Melissa is the queen of communication. I'll attend anything she creates, presents or speaks on."

Course curriculum

    1. Welcome to Communicate for Impact

    2. Tour of the platform

    3. What to expect

    1. Welcome to the Attention module

    2. Attention tutorial part 1

    3. Attention tutorial part 2

    4. Attention Additions

    5. Attention Aid

    1. Welcome to the Action module

    2. Action tutorial part 1

    3. Action tutorial part 2

    4. Get Faster Responses Framework

    1. Welcome to Articulate

    2. Articulate part 1

    3. Articulate part 2

    4. Articulate part 3

    5. Translation toolbox

    1. Welcome to Axe

    2. Axe module part 1

    3. Axe module part 2

    4. Axe checklist

    1. Welcome to Assemble

    2. Assemble

    3. Assemble checklist

About this course

  • £150.00
  • 29 lessons
  • 3.5 hours of video content

Trying to decide if it's for you?

  • Who is this DIY course specifically for?

    This is for paraplanners and advisers who simply want the tips, tools and frameworks that will improve their writing. It's for you if you're highly motivated to progress without deadlines, accountability and additional input.

  • Who should NOT buy this DIY course?

    If you don't communicate with clients, then this isn't really for you.

  • Which problems will this course help me overcome?

    Clients ignoring suitability reports, letters and emails. Clients struggling to understand the advice. You're spending too much time chasing clients and/or checking reports before they go out. Risk of complaints being upheld by the Financial Ombudsman Service.

  • How much time will it take?

    A minimum of 6 hours. With each module you'll receive a resource list - signposting you to further articles, podcasts, papers and books so you can explore the topics in more detail if you wish. You have access to the programme for 1 year so you can take your time.

  • What's the difference between DIY, SOLO and GROUP?

    The material is the same but the support differs. In a nutshell, DIY contains information and SOLO and GROUP levels help you implement it. DIY – all the content without the assignments or support. Ideal if you want to fly through the programme. SOLO – you’ll receive brief feedback on your writing via reviewed assignments to your skill. However, I’m not able to answer calls or questions. GROUP - you’re part of an in house paraplanning or advisory team and would like members to improve the way they communicate with clients.

  • Does the course come with email or call support?

    No, this level is designed to be self-guided and self-paced. For feedback and assignments, you'd need to opt for the SOLO programme.

  • Our reports and letters are compliant, so I’m concerned about making changes.

    I understand. What participants find is that they're making the same points but phrased in a way which prioritises the client and as a result gets better engagement. In fact, compliance teams have often remarked on the improved clarity, readability and structure of the letters, reports and emails following their colleagues attending the course.

  • Will I get a CPD certificate on completion?

    Yes you will.

  • Can I see a sample module?

    Yes, send me an email: [email protected] and I'll reply with some log in details so you can see the style and content.

Your Communication Coach

Melissa Kidd

Melissa Kidd helps paraplanners and financial advisers to communicate more effectively so clients love talking to them and reading their work.

She's the Director of Motem Ltd and has a background in copywriting and psychology.

She co-wrote the PFS Suitability Report Writing Guide launched at the May 2024 conference.

Melissa has been trained by the Plain English Campaign, holds a certificate in coaching – accredited by the International Coaching Federation, is a Master NLP practitioner and has worked alongside the finance sector for over 10 years.

Pricing options

Buy in one or spread the cost

10 Biggest Problems Paraplanners Face...

  • Managing the tension between FCA and compliance

  • Feeling frustrated that your reports may not get read, even after your hard work

  • Time - it takes longer to write a concise report than a lengthy one

  • Avoiding jargon, acronyms and technical language when they're so everyday for you

  • Conveying complex concepts to those without much investment experience

  • Striking the right tone and sounding like a normal (professional) person

  • Writing concisely without losing meaning

  • Changing templated standard wording

  • Writing for people you've never met

  • Pitching the information at the correct level - to dial up or dumb down?

Still not sure?

  • Clear, client-friendly AND compliant

    Remember...your number one job is to help clients make an informed decision. To understand the advice, they have to read it.

  • Increase readability

    Therefore, your number two job is to make your writing as readable as possible. This means you need to understand structure.

  • Improve your structure

    To understand structure, you need to prioritise. Therefore, your number three job is to ensure that what clients care about - comes first. Of course, there are a few more jobs to do as well...

  • But you're short of time

    You need checklists, frameworks and ready-to-go sentence structures to put the ideas into practice instantly. You also can't take a day out of the office.

  • And you're spending too much time

    Checking reports, rewriting paragraphs and chasing clients.

  • This is your answer

    Communicate for Impact will help you write reports, emails and letters that clients want to read without taking up lots of time in the proc