My experience does differ from many of the responses to Nic's article that clients will not pay a fee for independent financial planning advice and will go off and buy a commission paying product instead. I started my independent fee based advisory practice in 2006 from scratch with most of my clients finding me via the internet or through word of mouth. During this time, my clients never seem to have had a problem with me charging fees and indeed many of them have signed up precisely because I was fee based. I am the first to admit that I am not the best salesman in the world but I have nevertheless built up a successful business. I think that the key for me has been being able to explain to clients where the real value in a client adviser relationship lies and having a clear on-going service proposition - see independent financial planning service. Also acting as the clients most trusted adviser is much more credible when remuneration doesn't come from product sales (commission) but from fees agreed in advance with the client alongside being highly qualified - see chartered financial planner.