I ran across Russ Thornton’s Wealth Simplified blog several months ago and asked him if he would participate in our advisor blogger profile. The blog was brand new and he wanted to put some more miles on it first. But it has since turned into one of the best looking blogs out there.

One of the things I really like about Russ’s blog is that he puts it on the main page of his web site. Every time his clients go to his site, they’re reminded that he has a blog with constantly updating content. Which should, in turn, bring them back to his web site more often.

1. How would you describe your business and typical client?

My business delivers a comprehensive wealth management service to families.  This includes planning, investment management and coordination with a client’s other professional advisors.  My typical client has $1 million or more in investment assets and has important goals that they wish to accomplish.  Here’s my ideal client profile:  http://www.thorntonwealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/twm-ideal-client-profile.pdf

2. When and why did you start blogging?

I began blogging in March of this year.  My first post was on March 10th:  http://www.thorntonwealth.com/welcome/
I started blogging because I’ve always been intrigued by blogging (and the web) as an additional channel for communication and hope to also educate my clients and other site visitors with my posts.

3. How often do you post and how much time does it take?

I generally post 2-3 times a week.  Since starting in March, I’ve made 50 posts to my blog.  My posts haven’t taken a lot of time.  I’m usually writing about information that is important to me and I’m familiar with, so I haven’t done a lot of research.  Many of posts are simply links to news stories with some of my commentary.

4. Have your clients noticed the blog? What have they said?

Many of my clients are aware of my blog and several have subscribed to receive updates via email.  The feedback has been very positive and they seem to appreciate that I’m using another platform to communicate with them.  Some clients have asked me about particular posts and it’s provided a good way to discuss and reinforce our investment approach or other wealth management topics.  I can also use my site/blog as a repository of reference information that I can direct a prospect or client to via a link in an email.

5. What are some of your favorite blog posts? (with hyperlinks, please)

A few of my favorite posts:

    a.  Wall Street Has It Backwards - http://www.thorntonwealth.com/wall-street-has-it-backwards/

    b.  Who Said It? - http://www.thorntonwealth.com/who-said-it/

    c.  DALBAR QAIB 2008 - http://www.thorntonwealth.com/dalbar-qaib-2008/

    d.  Don’t Just Do Something, Stand There - http://www.thorntonwealth.com/dont-just-do-something-stand-there/

    e.  Which Came First? The Risk Or The Return? - http://www.thorntonwealth.com/which-came-first-the-risk-or-the-return/

6. What software do you use… For your blog? To run your practice?

For my blog, I use the self-hosted version of WordPress (http://wordpress.org/).  In other areas of my practice, I use the following:

    - CRM, Email Hosting/Archiving, and Document Management — Redtail Technology (http://redtailtechnology.com/)
    - Financial Planning — MoneyGuidePro (http://www.moneyguidepro.com/)
    - Portfolio Management — Outsourced PortfolioCenter via BOSS (http://thebackoffice.biz/) — currently evaluating AssetBook
         (http://www.assetbook.com/) as an alternative
    - Custodian — Fidelity
    - Phone Management — GrandCentral (http://www.grandcentral.com/home/intro)
    - Voice to email dictation — Jott.com (http://jott.com/)
    - RSS Reader — Google Reader (http://www.google.com/reader/view/#overview-page)
    - Email Client — Thunderbird (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/thunderbird/)
    - and a few other tools

7. What websites or blogs do *you* read regularly?

As far as websites and blogs that I regularly read, it’s a long list with varied topics.  I currently have 81 RSS feeds in my Google Reader.  Here’s a sampling:

    Blogging:
       Seth Godin’s Blog - http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/
       CopyBlogger - http://www.copyblogger.com/
       Thesis Theme for WordPress - http://diythemes.com/thesis (this is the theme I use for my site)
       Tim Ferriss - http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog
       WorkHappy.net - http://www.workhappy.net/

    Technology:
       WealthFly - http://www.wealthfly.com/
       Google OS - http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/
       I, Cringley - http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/
       Lifehacker - http://lifehacker.com/
       Signal vs Noise - http://www.37signals.com/svn/posts
       TechCrunch - http://www.techcrunch.com/
    Finance:
       Get Rich Slowly - http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog
       AllFinancialMatters - http://allfinancialmatters.com/
       Wealth-O-Nomics - http://blog.whiteoakswealth.com/  (discovered from one of your prior blog reviews)
       BehaviorGap - http://www.behaviorgap.com/
       Scott Burns - http://assetbuilder.com/blogs/
       Back Office Advisor - http://backofficeadvisor.wordpress.com/
       FP Pad - http://fppad.com/
       Investment Writing - http://investmentwriting.blogspot.com/
       Physician Family Financial Advisors - http://www.physicianfamilyfinancialadvisorsblog.com/
       IWillTeachYouToBeRich - http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog
       Kitces.com - http://www.kitces.com/blog/
       Leonard Wealth - http://blog.leonardwealthmanagement.com/lwm_blog/

Thanks Russ!