Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 5:31 pm Post subject: HELLLLP!!
Hello,
I've recently started the exciting job of insurance agent. I work for Farmers Insurance in Bellingham, WA(all the way up by the canadian border). I was wondering if anyone had any advertising tips for someone starting out and also had good advice on getting leads as well. Anything and everything is greatly appreciated.
Congratulations!!! FarmAHam, I wish you all the success in your new career.
You are right in identifying the importance of the advertisement in insurance business. The more you'll be able to interact with the people, more they'll come to know about the service that you provide.
For advertisement you can either go by the traditional way of publishing ads in the local newspaper and putting up a board before your office or can go online.
The online web directories also provide the business entities with the option of advertising their businesses at reasonable costs. And its proving to be an effective way of getting clients, since many now-a-days prefer to do online shopping.
Also sending mailers and flyers may fetch you results, though the success rate is very limited.
Communication plays an important role in the business of insurance. Hence, attending the seminars and fairs can help you in attracting new prospects.
Well, these are only few of the forms. You can always find newer and more effective ways of advertising with time.
Farmers Insurance is known to have the largest network of agents under its banner, something around 20,000. Farmer normally allows you to sell their products as an independent contractor till you graduate for their career agent's program.
Quote:
any advertising tips for someone starting out and also had good advice on getting leads as well
Some companies offer qualified leads to their agents, if you receive the same from the Farmers you can start-off with it. You should also let your friends and relatives know that you have opted to become an insurance agent. They'll be your first bunch of clients.
Cold calling is another way of generating business. Every insurance agent is required to invest an amount of time of the day to set the appointments for the week.
Once you are able to sell a product to one, ask that person for references. This will help you in expanding your business.
Social networking is the key ingredient of insurance business. Hence, interact with as many people as you can and also advertise the business in every possible way.
By becoming a Farmer's agent you are entering into a highly competitive market. It'll require a huge investment of both of your time and money. Good luck to you!!
Well, you can seek help form the existing agents of your locality or from the DM of the Farmers. Its very important for a new agent to identify the target market and work accordingly. _________________ Register Now to have your Insurance queries solved.
Well, I'll not attach very high hopes with mails/flyers. This is one of the traditional methods, which is used by the sales people to educate the consumers about newer goods and services.
The mailers and flyers can fetch only 2%-3% success to the agent, but its still worth trying along with the other methods of selling.
A successful combination of the different sales methods actually determines the success rate of the agent. The agent shouldn't leave any stone un-turn when it's the matter of making business, since selling insurance has never been an easy job.
I agree that various methods should be used to get business. However, they work best synergystically. That is, they work best together.
I generate leads from my website. I then telemarket these leads. I also do email marketing to the same leads. I also add them to my direct mail database. This way each method benefits form the effectiveness of the one before it.
The mailers and flyers can fetch only 2%-3% success to the agent, but its still worth trying along with the other methods of selling.
Have you really seen direct mail results that high? I've never used direct mail in insurance. I used to be in marketing though, and 2-3% would have come with an immediate promotion. Bare in mind I'm talking 2-3% response from existing customers as being unbelievable, not even cold prospects.
