AI for Advisors newsletter
There’s an adage that humans only use a small percentage of their brain’s potential. Whether or not that’s true, I see the same thing happening with advisors and AI.
In every training program, I meet smart, experienced advisors who are only tapping into a fraction of what AI can do. They’ve never had that moment where AI completely redefines their expectations.
Why? Because they’re still thinking like search engine users, not collaborators and asking small questions instead of exploring bigger possibilities. That’s why we created the AI Use Pyramid.
This simple framework shows you how AI can help across every layer of your work—from everyday busywork to big-picture strategic thinking and everything in between. Once you see it, you realize how much AI potential you’re leaving on the table.
How I made this chart: I created this illustration while writing this article. ChatGPT knew the context. My prompt was: “Can you create an illustration of the pyramid? Let’s call it the AI Use Pyramid.”
From everyday tasks to strategic breakthroughs
It’s totally normal to start small with AI. Everyone does.
But if you’ve been wowed by how AI saves you time on repetitive tasks—like regenerating email replies, simplifying jargon, or rewriting blurbs—and feel like that’s enough, this framework is your next step. It reveals a broader spectrum of what’s possible and makes moving upward feel manageable.
In our just-closed Advisor AI Use survey, most advisors reported using AI for things like email drafts, meeting note summaries, and newsletter copy. These are meaningful wins—but they’re still only the middle of the Pyramid.
Let’s walk through it.
The AI integration pyramid
Base Layer: Micro tasks for everyday efficiency
These are the easiest ways to start. You don’t need to change your workflow—just swap in AI for little tasks that eat up time:
- Rewriting a clunky sentence or a short email
- Extracting a key figure from a dense PDF
- Tidying up a process doc (e.g., onboarding checklist)
- Asking AI to simplify a complex concept for a client
One advisor told us: “I use it to clean up email language and break down technical terms—stuff that used to eat up 20 minutes now takes two.”
Prompt examples:
Need a quick rewrite?
Try: “Can you improve this client email to sound more professional but still friendly?”
Want help simplifying something?
Try: “Rewrite this paragraph so a client with no finance background can understand it.”
Need data pulled from a document?
Try: “Read this PDF, regenerate “Chart 1.3,” and give me the 3 key takeaways for a client summary.”
Tidying internal docs?
Try: “Polish this internal new-hire checklist and remove redundant steps—make it easier for new hires.”
Middle Layer: Advisor workflow and productivity
As you start working here, consider using prompts that give AI a seat at the table—especially when you’re juggling content, communication, and meeting prep. In this context, AI becomes a true assistant. You’re using it for real deliverables and client-facing work such as:
- Drafting your monthly client newsletter
- Researching and creating meeting agendas
- Revising website copy to better reflect your value proposition
- Turning webinar slides into LinkedIn posts or blog content
Prompt examples:
Writing client-facing content?
Try: “Using a warm, professional tone, draft a newsletter that recaps last week’s market volatility and explains how we’re helping clients stay on track. Read the article I’ve attached and then ask me questions, one at a time, about what we’re telling clients.”
Prepping for meetings?
Try: “We’re meeting with a couple who are focused on building a secure future and are now ready to refine their retirement strategy. Based on this couple’s profile [pre-retiree/retiree profile—age, marital status, income bracket, and employment status], generate a detailed agenda for our next meeting. Include tax efficiency, RMDs, and legacy planning.”
Revising web content?
Try: “Now that we’re adding tax planning as distinct service, rewrite my About page to better highlight our tax planning niche. Make it client-focused and approachable. Ask me questions, one at a time.”
Turning slides into articles?
Try: “Here are three slides from last week’s webinar on Roth conversions. Create a blog post from the slides. Keep it educational and compliant. Ask me questions.”
Top Layer: Strategic thinking
At the top of the pyramid is where AI becomes a co-strategist, a thinking partner who can engage you in dynamic problem-solving, offering you nuanced insights, refining your ideas, and identifying challenges or issues you hadn’t considered. Your AI assistant can ask you tough questions to assist in such things as:
- Brainstorming growth strategies for your firm
- Creating a virtual team of AI advisors to role-play business decisions
- Fleshing out new referral strategies or testing new value prop language
Prompt examples:
Planning big-picture strategy?
Try: “Act as my virtual marketing director with 20-years’ experience assisting financial advisors. Help me evaluate three marketing options to grow my business over the long term: a podcast, strategic partnerships, or a niche seminar series. Ask me questions, one at a time.”
Testing referral language?
Try: “Act as a client communications specialist. Write five different versions of a referral request email for a long-time client—some friendly and casual, others more formal. Explain which tone suits which situation. Ask me questions about this kind of client before you begin.”
Role-playing high-stakes scenarios?
Try: “Act as a skeptical high-net-worth prospect who’s uncertain about working with me. Challenge my value proposition in a discovery meeting setting so I can rehearse my response. Ask follow-up questions to push deeper.”
Building a virtual team?
Try: “Form a panel of AI advisors: one tax strategist, one marketing consultant, and one practice management coach. I want each to weigh in on my Q3 growth plan.”
Try: “Form a panel of three expert AI advisors: a tax strategist, a practice management coach, and a content marketing expert. I want each to give input on how to strengthen my Q3 client engagement and business development strategy. Let’s hear from one advisor at a time.”
Few advisors in our survey reported working here regularly. As one put it: “I know there’s more AI can do—I just don’t know what I don’t know.”
Seeing the full picture
Most advisors don’t realize they’re only operating in the bottom third or middle of what AI can offer. When they see the pyramid, a switch flips: “I’ve been using this tool every day—but I’ve barely scratched the surface.”
That recognition is the moment of possibility when experimentation turns into transformation.
As another advisor responding to the survey wrote: “After reading your list, I realize I’m REALLY underutilizing it! Lol.”
What to try next
Remember, you don’t need to climb the whole pyramid today. Just look at where you are right now—and try one level up. Ask yourself:
- What’s one deliverable I could co-create with AI this week?
- What’s one strategic conversation I could rehearse with an AI persona?
- What’s one workflow I’ve never thought to ask AI about?
The goal isn’t to master every layer. It’s to start expanding your view. That’s how you get closer to your real AI moment.
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