Writing For Personal Finance Blogs

How to Hook an Audience—Even If Your Subject Matter Is Dry or Serious Most people find finance boring or intimidating. At first, I said no. Then I said heck no. But my client pushed back. “You have a finance background. Why not help demystify it?” And I couldn’t help but think… Can I make finance fun? I love finance. I spent 15 years on the trading floor—I still geek out over financial markets. But I also know this: Most people find finance intimidating or boring. So I took on the challenge. How do you hook an audience—even when your topic is complex, dry, or just plain serious? Simple. You don’t teach it like a textbook. 🚫 Ditch the jargon. 🚫 Ditch the formulas. 🚫 Ditch the “this is how it’s always been taught” mindset. Instead, make it human: ✅ Start with what they care about (not what you want to teach). ✅ Use stories, analogies, and real-world examples. ✅ Help them see the impact—not just the information. Because people don’t engage with data—they engage with meaning. And that’s the real lesson here—great teaching isn’t about dumping information. It’s about making people care. 💡 Want to be memorable? Meet your audience where they are. Make it relatable. Make it relevant. Make it fun. And then, at the end of the session, my client turned to me and said: “Anna, I think you should teach finance more. You made it so much fun! I can see you as a star in this area. I’ve sat through so many finance trainings, and yours was really engaging.” 🤦🏻♀️ (Face palm.) 💬 Ever had to make a dry topic engaging? What worked for you? #whatsyourstory #storytelling

There is an art to grabbing an investor’s attention. My emails and DMs are inundated with approaches about investments. I open all of them, and I try to answer as many as possible, but I never have the time to get through them all. And I’m not alone. Every investor I speak to says the same: they get thousands of requests every month, they read many hundreds of pitches every year, and they actually invest in a very small fraction - probably less than one in 1,000. So with such long odds and so much competition, how can you stand out when it comes to writing that first message to ask an investor for their time to pitch a new business? 1. Think about the length of your message. Keep it short, succinct and make your sentences super crisp. Word count matters! Most recipients will scan the length of a note before they start at the top. Too long and they’ll close it to “read later” (or not at all). 2. Cut the waffle and get to the point in the first few sentences. Tell me exactly what your business does, how it makes profit and how it outperforms its competitors. Use simple language. If an investor senses any ambiguity or uncertainty they’ll start to edge away. 3. Polish up your campaign medals. If you have a proven track record in the sector an investor will likely lean forward. If not you need to work hard to show you have operational credibility. 4. Highlight the unique opportunity. Be clear about your USP. What makes your proposition stand out? Why is it a/ different and b/ better than your rivals? 5. Ask for an investor’s time not money (at this stage). Your first message to an investor should be designed to win 15 or 20 minutes in front of them. Does that sound too short to you? If it does then your pitch is probably too long. Plan for a scenario where you get there and only have five minutes to pitch your concept. What are your top tips for winning the time and attention of busy professionals?

You can build a blog in a day. But building a successful blog? That takes mindset, systems, and patience. Whether you’re a wellness founder, a solo creator, or startup trying to grow through content, here are the 5 core parameters that will actually shape your blog’s success: 1. Your Mindset✨ Blogging isn’t a short-term win. You won’t see results overnight. You might not even see them in the first few months. But the results will come if you focus on your inputs, not just outcomes. I’ve seen this with my own blog. When I stopped chasing quick growth and started showing up consistently, things changed. And they changed for the better. 2. Your Content Strategy 🧠 For businesses, your niche is clear. You already know what you’re here to talk about. For personal blogs, it’s harder. You need to choose something you’re genuinely curious about, because you’ll be writing a lot. Either way, your content strategy = your foundation. Without it, you’re just posting aimlessly. 3. Your Promotional Efforts📢 SEO takes time. But in the early days, your blog traffic will come from YOU, not Google. Pinterest, Reddit, Quora, LinkedIn, guest blogs... pick one or two and go all in. Don’t just create content. Share it. 4. Tracking Your Blog’s Growth📈 The 3 tools I swear by: → Google Search Console → Google Analytics → A reliable SEO analysis tool I build a strategy around the data these tools give me. Not vibes. Not assumptions. Double down on just what’s working. 5. Testing & Experimenting🧪 When I revived my blog in Jan 2023, I promised myself one thing: No more rigid rules. And that changed everything. Today, my blog has finally started its passive income journey. Not because I had the perfect strategy, but because I was open to adapting. Blogging isn’t just writing. It’s building something from scratch that can grow with you. So, tell me? What does building a blog look like for you right now? If you’re figuring it out and want to build something sustainable, I’m always happy to share what’s worked for me and my clients 🙌

“I’m sorry, but we’re not convinced.” That’s what a group of seasoned investors said after listening to a perfectly structured pitch by a VP from a promising fintech startup. This VP had spent three sleepless weeks on the deck. 32 slides. Charts. Graphs. TAM, SAM, SOM. Revenue projections. Burn rate. Customer acquisition cost to lifetime value ratio? Check. He had it all. And yet, something was missing. ⸻ I met him a day later. He looked exhausted. Frustrated. Angry. “I don’t get it,” he said. “They asked for data—I gave it. They wanted clarity—I gave it. They asked tough questions—I had answers.” Then I asked him, “But where was the story?” He frowned. “What story? I’m not here to perform. I’m here to present facts.” Exactly the problem. ⸻ In the next 3 days, we didn’t change the product. We didn’t redesign the slides. We rewrote the narrative. I asked him to start with this: “10 years ago, my father walked into a bank branch. He left confused, embarrassed—and without a loan. He didn’t understand the form. The language. I built this product for people like him. Not for the urban elite—but for the India that still stands in queues.” We layered the pitch with emotional depth. A real origin story. Stories of users. Moments of pain. Moments of possibility. ⸻ He walked into the same investor room again—same faces, same metrics—but this time, something was different. There was silence after his story. Then… one investor leaned forward. “You should’ve started with this last time.” They asked fewer questions. They felt more connected. They saw the vision, not just the numbers. And yes—the deal closed. ⸻ 💡 Here’s the truth most leaders ignore: Data is the skeleton. But storytelling is the soul. People don’t just buy your logic. They buy your why. You’re not pitching numbers. You’re pitching meaning. ⸻ So ask yourself: Are you just informing? Or are you truly influencing? Want to be a Super Hero at work , now how to tell great stories #Storytelling #ExecutivePresence #LeadershipCommunication #PublicSpeaking #InvestorPitch #SoftSkills #BusinessStrategy #CXOContent #CorporateTraining #PersuasionSkills #LinkedInForLeaders #NarrativeStrategy

Master the art of Financial Storytelling 🧑🏫 Your numbers tell a story, but are you telling it right? 👇 Numbers without context are just digits on a page. The real power comes from transforming those numbers into insights that drive action. ➡️ COMMON MISTAKES IN FINANCIAL REPORTING Let's start with what NOT to do when presenting financials: 1️⃣ Dropping raw numbers without context Raw data overwhelms your audience. When you say "Revenue grew to $100K," what does that mean for the business? 2️⃣ Reading slide content word-for-word Your presentation should add value beyond what's written. Share insights that aren't visible in the numbers. 3️⃣ Rushing through without pausing for questions Financial data needs time to digest. Create moments for discussion and clarification. ➡️ BUILDING A COMPELLING FINANCIAL STORY Here's how to transform your financial presentations: 1️⃣ Start with the fundamentals Always begin by establishing context. What's normal? What's exceptional? What benchmarks matter? 2️⃣ Connect data points to strategy Show how financial results link to business decisions. If working capital improved, explain which specific actions drove that improvement. 3️⃣ Use comparisons effectively - Period over period changes - Budget vs actuals - Year over year trends - Industry benchmarks 4️⃣ Structure your narrative - What happened? - Why did it happen? - What does it mean for the future? - What actions should we take? ➡️ COMPONENTS OF GREAT FINANCIAL STORYTELLING 1️⃣ Clear Dashboards Start with a clean, focused view of KPIs that matter most. Don't overwhelm with data. 2️⃣ Strategic Context Show how financial results connect to company goals and market conditions. 3️⃣ Forward-Looking Analysis Use current data to paint a picture of future opportunities and challenges. 4️⃣ Action Items End every presentation with clear next steps and decision points. ➡️ PRACTICAL TIPS FOR IMPLEMENTATION 1️⃣ Know your audience CFO needs different details than the marketing team. Adjust your depth accordingly. 2️⃣ Use visual aids Graphs and charts can illustrate trends better than tables of numbers. 3️⃣ Practice active listening Watch for confusion or disengagement. Adjust your presentation based on real-time feedback. 4️⃣ Create discussion points Plan specific moments to pause and engage with your audience. === Remember: Financial storytelling isn't about making numbers sound good. It's about helping stakeholders make informed decisions. What techniques do you use to make financial data more engaging? Share your thoughts in the comments below 👇

Both of them have been working in the MNC for 2 decades. After their daughter left Malaysia to further her study in Australia, they decided it was time to relook back at their plan, especially on their retirement. During the meeting , I could see their excitement when they shared their retirement plans, unlike the first time when I first met up with them. They were clueless about what they really want for their retirement life, and how they want it to be like. Frequently,  people who are planning on retiring tend to miss out some of the scenarios that  might be facing during retirement life. As a result, before you start planning for your retirement, here are questions that you may need to ask yourself  ❓How much afford you can live on ❓How much do you want to spend during your retirement ❓How long will your retirement fund last ❓Do you still generate cash inflows during your retirement ❓Do you intend to downsize or maintain  your lifestyle ❓Do you have sufficient medical coverage after your retirement ❓Do you have enough emergency funding after your retirement ❓Do you still have a loan commitment after your retirement ❓Do your estate plan up to date Last and least , not forgetting the inflation rate! Retirement isn’t just about spending time living a life of leisure. It is also about organizing your finances to provide enough income to last through retirement while adjusting for market conditions and your needs as you age. The decisions made in the pre-retirement phase can have serious and lasting effects, here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid before retirement. ❌Not getting an early start ❌Carrying too much Debt ❌Putting your money in one place ❌Ignoring inflation ❌Underestimate how long you will live  ❌Underestimate medical cost  ❌Overestimate your nest eggs ❌Cashing out your saving before retire ❌Neglecting to plan for long term care  ❌Neglecting estate plan Remember once you retire, you will no longer receive a regular income. And to sustain your daily expenses and live your golden years you will need a financial backup. When you plan for your retirement, it's important to plan carefully and set realistic goals to ensure you have enough for your golden years. Many may look at  retirement as the last thing to think of. However, as the saying goes, “time flies.” It’s never too early to start planning for your future . 10 years down the line or decades later, your future self will thank you for the preparations and plans you make today. So don’t delay it, start now! #Vivfpjourney #financialplanning #retirementplanning

No one is waking up at 7am, sipping coffee, thinking, “Wow, I really hope someone explains holistic wealth architecture today.” People want clarity. They want content that feels like a conversation, not a lecture. They want to understand what you’re saying the first time they read it. Write like you're talking to a real person. Not trying to win a Pulitzer. - Use short sentences. - Cut the jargon. - Sound like someone they’d trust with their money, not someone who spends weekends writing whitepapers for fun. Confused clients don’t ask for clarification. They move on. Here’s how to make your content clearer: 1. Ask yourself: Would my mom understand this? If the answer is “probably not,” simplify it until she would. No shade to your mom, she’s just a great clarity filter. 2. Use the “friend test.” Read it out loud. If it sounds weird or overly stiff, imagine explaining it to a friend at lunch. Rewrite it like that. 3. Replace jargon with real words. Say “retirement income you won’t outlive” instead of “longevity risk mitigation strategy.” Your clients are not Googling your vocabulary. 4. Stick to one idea per sentence. If your sentence is doing cartwheels and dragging a comma parade behind it, break it up. 5. Format like you actually want them to read it. Use line breaks. Add white space. Make it skimmable. No one wants to read a block of text the size of a mortgage document. Writing clearly isn’t dumbing it down. It’s respecting your audience enough to make content easy to understand. What’s the worst jargon-filled phrase you’ve seen in the wild? Let’s roast it.

I helped a Certified Financial Planner go from 10 to 6,000 followers in just 5 months. Most financial content is BORING. We cracked the code to make personal finance interesting and engaging. Here's the EXACT strategy that transformed his personal brand 👇 📌 Establish a unique voice A few initial calls helped me identify his unique voice. I asked, “How would you share an investing tip with a friend, sitting in Starbucks?” He said, “As if I’m talking to a 12-year-old. I’ll use analogies and examples to make it simple.” 📌 Define 3-5 content pillars We defined 3-5 content pillars. This helped us refrain from random, generic content. 📌 Think beyond INVESTING Most financial advisors talk ONLY about investments. But we expanded the narrative to: → personal finance → career growth → lifestyle management → money mindset 📌 Keep a balanced content mix → 50% educational content  → 25% personal stories  → 25% client success stories 📌 Find the “unique” angle We used Reddit to: → Find real financial questions → Understand audience pain points → Create hyper-relevant content Result? 🔹Started at 10 followers 🔹Reached 6,000 in 5 months 🔹600x follower growth 🔹Zero paid promotions 🔹100% organic strategy BONUS: You can transform your personal brand by applying these 5 steps: 1. Find your unique voice 2. Define content pillars 3. Expand beyond the core topic 4. Mix content types 5. Research your audience deeply PS: If you can’t do that yourself or don’t have enough time, let’s connect! I offer Do-it-for-you services! 😉

Finance facelift: how to rejuvenate complex conversations 📣 I've been pondering something recently: how can we communicate more effectively within the world of finance? It's no secret that markets can be complex and, dare I say it, a bit dry sometimes 😴 But as one of the most fascinating topics in the world, it doesn't have to be. Here are five tips I'd give anyone looking to become a better communicator, especially in finance. 📚 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 Let's remember one thing: numbers tell stories. They chart the rise and fall of markets, the success of businesses, and so much more. Instead of dishing out data, tell the story behind it. How did we get here? Where are we going? Narratives are compelling and can turn abstract numbers into real, relatable stories. 🌟 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Ever had that moment when jargon leaves you stumped? Yep, me too. Let's cut to the chase and use plain language. Make your message accessible to everyone, not just those well-versed in financial lingo. Trust me. Clarity never goes out of style. 🎨 𝗔 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 Don't let your audience drown in data. Give them a lifeboat in the form of visuals. Graphs, charts, and infographics can simplify complex data and make it digestible. So next time, let's show it, not just tell it. 🕰️ 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝘆 People connect with what they know. So, give them examples they can relate to, especially ones that are current. Show how the theory applies to real-world situations, and you'll have their attention. 💖 𝗕𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂, 𝗕𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 Finance communication doesn't have to be impersonal or mechanical. You've got a unique perspective, so don't hesitate to use it. Whether it's a dash of humour, a sprinkle of nostalgia, or a spoonful of wit, adding your personal touch can make your communication engaging, memorable, and fun. And since you made it all the way here, one last message 😁 Let's shift our perspective on finance. It shouldn't just be about numbers or complex charts. It's time we make finance less about the figures and more about making it entertaining, relatable, fresh and insightful. Let's spark conversations that not only inform but also captivate and inspire 😍 What are your go-to strategies for making finance more accessible and engaging? Comment below 👇 #markets #investing #economy #money #stockmarket Enjoyed this post? 👍 Like 💬 Comment 🔔 Subscribe to my profile

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 - 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬 Sounds like a pun. But no, it isn’t ! In my financial advisory experience, I have encountered different misconceptions. One of the biggest myths? Retirees no longer need to plan for their retirement. The truth cannot be further than this. Several of my clients have retired. They are not the typical age of sixties. Instead they are in their fifties! “Sam” (psenonym) has been retired for 2 years. But he’s busier than ever - he travels every month visiting different countries enjoying his freedom. Formerly the Regional Head of a well-known MNC, he had put aside a good 7 digit retirement sum, excluding his CPF funds. Sam is a strong saver, prudent with his finances and had done his first retirement planning with me few years back. Given that our average lifespan is around 85, this effectively means Sam needs to be drawing “an income” from his savings for the next 30 years. Jaslyn’s advice : My role here is to focus on Capital Preservation and Accumulation for Sam. Whilst we need to be defensive to guard his retirement funds, this needs to be at least “inflation-proof” so that his quality of life is not affected. When we retire, there are effectively 3 types of lifestyles - Basic, Standard, Enhanced (just like how CPF describes it) For Sam, I would say it’s an Enhanced lifestyle with his travel expenses. This means his money has to continue to work even harder for him. Whereas on the other hand, we have “Pauline” (pseudonym) who just turned 55. All in all, she has set aside $800K for her retirement funds. Pauline adopts the basic lifestyle of spending less than $2K per month. She continues to do her community work whilst going for short trips within Asia. Pauline has started her planning with me more than 6 years ago, having 2 retirement plans. On top of that, she has been investing her CPF funds, with decent returns. Her initial plan was to rely on CPF life and excess funds available to draw down. With the impending closure of Special Account, this would impact her as she would receive lower interest rates. Jaslyn’s Advice: Review all your existing portfolios and know all the premiums you’re paying today. I analysed all the protection plans she had with different insurers, some of them were totally forgotten (duplicated) but kept paying. The focus used to be on wealth protection (critical illness) and premature death due to the outstanding liabilities. Today the primary focus would shift towards helping her to grow her passive income to a good decent $4K per month. This allows her to continue her lifestyle, paying her insurance premiums and cope with daily expenses. The key is we should preserve her quality of life as long as she lives for the next 30-40 years. #Retiree #Retirement #TopOfMind #FinancialConsultant