The Institute of Financial Planning is breaking new ground on 28 February by holding its inaugural conference dedicated to helping Financial Planners, advisers and Paraplanners make the most of the presented by social media.

The IFP itself has been a regular user of social media for many years. It has seen first-hand the power of engaging in this way with members and other stakeholders across the profession and beyond.
With firms' clients, their families and friends using social media, the IFP will be looking to help delegates to engage them in a positive way using these exciting communication channels.
The event will be held in London and is aimed at the needs of novices as well as regular social media users, and will be practical and interactive in nature. Early bird discounts apply to bookings made by Monday 28 January.

The Social Media CONFERENCE PROGRAMME will help advisers discover the following :
• How to create an effective social media strategy
• How to future proof their social media strategy
• Keep their social media activities on the right side of compliance
• What's worth spending time on and what's not
• And ultimately, make social media work for them and their business
An IFP spokesman said: "We know a lot of our members are using social media already and the IFP's 2012 member survey confirmed that 22% regularly or sometimes engage with IFP and the Financial Planning community via twitter, and 51% via LinkedIn. But proper execution of a social media strategy needs the right expertise, planning and strategic implementation."

The IFP has designed sessions that will help with tactics as well as content creation from expert speakers/facilitators:
• Abbie Tanner, A Business Innovation
• Graham Jones, Internet Psychologist
• Bridget Greenwood, Financial Social Media UK
• Morris Pentel, Customer Experience Foundation
• Justine Priestley, Really Bright Media
• Philip Calvert, IFA Life

Nick Cann, IFP chief executive, said: "Social media impacts us all whether we like it or not. It is therefore better to be involved and understand how to benefit from it rather than let the opportunity pass us by.

"We firmly believe that it should be at the core of a Financial Planning business's marketing and communication strategy. The conference programme we've designed will focus not just on theory, risks and measurement but it will also inspire and empower delegates to prioritise and participate more fully and effectively as a result. "

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Bridget Greenwood of Financial Social Media UK said: "Nothing is certain but death, taxes and change. Change is happening at a faster rate than in any other time in history and those brought forward with RDR amplify the need for Financial Planners to demonstrate real value to their clients and prospects. Social media is the ideal platform to do so.

"The IFP's first social media conference is the ideal opportunity for planners and advisers to understand and implement social media focused entirely on their area of business. It'll help delegates to generate greater engagement, higher profiles, recognition, increased interest, more business, better connections and a wider influence with their clients and prospects. An unmissable event."

Check out the DETAILS HERE

The IFP is the UK professional body of those committed to the development of the multi-disciplinary profession of Financial Planning. The IFP was formed in 1986 and certifies, upholds and monitors the professional standards of Financial Planning practitioners to protect the interests of members of the public, thus ensuring that they receive effective Financial Planning advice at all times. In 2011, IFP was recognised by the FSA as an Accredited Body.

The IFP serves a membership of over 2000 members and 900 CFP professionals through a programme of national events and training courses, and a regional 'Branch Network' centred around 20 areas. Membership is drawn from across the financial services community.

Visit the IFP at: www.financialplanning.org.uk