Great Gus Marketing

As a copywriter and strategist, I help financial professionals:
* Get clarity on their ideal clients
* Create actionable marketing strategies
* By writing compelling and persuasive messages that get approval from compliance

Business Owner

College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Western Michigan University

* Created and implemented a new marketing strategy that increased the college’s visibility to prospective students and donors.
* Developed and applied a strategic social media plan leading to a more effective social media presence.
* Wrote marketing pieces, including press releases, website content, fliers, e-newsletters, and speeches for the Dean.
* Led the marketing department through a management transition.

Senior Marketing Specialist

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Michigan

* Planned, wrote, designed, and executed all agency communications, including newsletters, brochures, website, and social media. 
* Led the redesign and launch of the agency’s new website (bbbsmi.org) on an upgraded development platform; and increased the social media presence and following.

Communications Manager

Copywriter & strategic marketer for financial professionals. "Cindy is a gifted strategic thinker and makes the written word sing." | greatgus.com

I’m a copywriter and marketing strategist for financial professionals. I have an M.A. in Strategic Communication and 20 years of experience in copywriting — 5+ of those in financial services writing. My experience and education allow me to become your strategic marketing partner. I can quickly learn about your company and consistently suggest creative new ideas to strengthen your marketing.

I specialize in developing tailored marketing strategies that position your business for sustained growth and success. By understanding your unique goals and challenges, I create actionable plans that maximize your reach and impact, connecting you with your ideal clients through engaging and persuasive content. 

I will assist you in achieving your goals just as you help your clients realize theirs.

Specialties: Financial Copywriting | Copywriting | Content Writing | Financial Content Writing | Strategic Marketing | Marketing and Advertising | Marketing Strategy

Have you ever unwrapped a gift that made you go, “huh”? 

I have. It was a pepper grinder. As a Christmas gift from my husband.

I was puzzled. My husband is a terrific gift giver, but this one, at first glance, missed the mark.

My face didn’t hide my questions, so my husband quickly told me that he’d seen me struggle with traditional grinders (curse arthritis!) and thought this one would make my life easier.

Then I understood the loving, caring, thoughtful intent of the unusual gift.

Gifts don’t have to be expensive or flashy to be perfect.

And the holiday season is the best time of year to remember this.

What’s the most unusual, but thoughtful gift you’ve received?

Cindy Schrauben

As a marketing strategist and copywriter for financial professionals, I'll help you understand your ideal client and create a roadmap to connect with them. 

If you’re tempted to skip this step and rely on what works for your competition or colleagues, don’t because you’ll probably waste time and money.

Wasting time or money doesn't appeal to me. And I bet you don't like it either.

So, when I bring my 25 years of strategic communication and marketing experience to your business, I become your strategic partner. This means I continually learn about your company and consistently suggest creative new ideas to strengthen your message further.

I will assist you in achieving your goals, just as you help your clients realize theirs.

Once upon a time, I was a magazine publisher, where I perfected the ability to communicate my advertisers’ unique value to readers, resulting in revenue growth for my clients. My job as a strategist and copywriter is to do the same for you by researching and understanding your ideal clients to create effective strategies and irresistible messages.

I also know that every one of my clients has a unique story to tell, and it’s my job to share them with the world.

Sharing your story will build brand affinity and loyalty with your target market.

But here’s a little warning: To learn enough about you and your business, I ask questions. A lot of questions because I genuinely want to know about and understand you and your business. 

Together, we can bring in more clients and strengthen your business.
________
My business is called Great Gus Marketing because my family’s English Bulldog is ever-present in my life. Literally. He never leaves my side. So, if you hear snoring during a Zoom meeting, it’s Gus, not me. I promise. 
________
Specialties: Financial Copywriting | Copywriting | Content Writing | Strategic Marketing | Marketing and Advertising | Marketing Strategy

Copywriter & marketing strategist for financial advisors & money coaches. Done-for-you financial marketing & strategy. Say goodbye to marketing headaches & “Hello!” to new clients | greatgus.com

Over the past couple of weeks, life has looked very different.

A family health emergency meant I had to pack a bag — twice — and drop everything to rush to the ER with my mom. 

Lots of driving. Lots of stress. But thankfully, no need to ask a boss for permission.

Working for myself means I can show up for the people who matter most, without hesitation. It’s one of the privileges I don’t take lightly.

And you know what else I’m grateful for?
The legal documents we had in place. Because when decisions had to be made, we had what we needed: health and financial powers of attorney.

So, to the financial professionals who remind clients to prepare for these moments: keep doing it. Your advice matters more than most people realize… until they’re in the thick of it.

And if you haven’t had this conversation with your own family yet, consider this your nudge. Elder care can become urgent in a heartbeat.

The photo? It’s me, tired but ready to go again. I’ll be back on the road today to help my mom, and I’m grateful I can.

👉 Financial pros: your message is making a difference. Don’t stop.
👉 Everyone else: make sure you have a plan in place before you need it.

The boob light is gone. Replaced. Updated. Finally.

And we didn’t even pay for it.

We had store credit at a place that plays that jingle on repeat — the one that gets stuck in your head and lives there rent-free for days.

You know the one…
 🎶 “Save big money…” (Go ahead, finish it. I bet you can.)

It’s slightly annoying.

Also? Brilliant marketing.

That jingle works because it’s:
 ✔️ Consistent
 ✔️ Recognizable
 ✔️ Impossible to forget

When financial professionals think about their brand or messaging, this is the part that can get overlooked.

You don’t need a jingle (unless that’s your thing).
 But you do need to say the same things, the same way, over and over — until your ideal clients could repeat them back to you.

Clarity, consistency, memorability.

 It’s what helps you go from forgettable to top of mind.

Midwesterners: Did the jingle get stuck in your head?
👇 Drop the name of the store in the comments if you know it.

Also, if your marketing feels more like a dated ceiling light… we should talk.

Do you worry that if you simplify your messaging, it’ll sound too casual or “dumbed down”?

I get it. Lots of financial advisors have that concern.

But in reality, clarity builds trust.
It helps your message land and stick.

In my latest blog, I share what clear financial advisor messaging really looks like (beyond the usual “cut the jargon” advice).
Including a few before-and-after examples and a simple framework you can use.

Please take a look and see if your message is accomplishing what you want it to.

And if it isn’t, DM me — I’d love to help.

Thank you and happy Veterans’ Day to all who’ve served. 

I took this photo at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France.  My husband’s grandfather landed on this beach the day after D-Day and went on to cross France, fighting his way into Belgium to fight at the Battle of the Bulge. The bravery these soldiers showed is inspiring and never forgotten.

Are your marketing messages crystal clear — or kinda... meh?

Financial pros know WHAT they do.

But when it’s time to write about it, some freeze. Or worse, fall back on vague, generic copy that doesn’t convert.

But there's good news:
You don’t need more content.
You need better content — words that show your value, not just state your services.

When I want to show clients how small shifts in your copy can lead to big results, I revisit my blog: "Transform your financial marketing copy: Before & after examples that convert."

👉 You can check it out via the link in the comments.

Also, DM me if you’re ready to make your message work harder (without sounding salesy).

Gratitude posts are everywhere this week, and honestly, I love them.
But for me, it’s not just a Thanksgiving thing.

My husband and I start every single day talking about what we’re grateful for.
It helps us keep perspective because even when things seem tough, we recognize that we have it pretty good.

This week, I’m especially thankful for the people I get to work with and learn from.
Financial professionals who care deeply and show up for their clients every day.

Wishing you a Thanksgiving full of good food, good company, and a little time to breathe.

taplio

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