I'd like to know as well. I'm still trying to build my business in insurance. I like to lead with P&C on my cold calling, since everyone has it. What are other's experiences? _________________ www.insureswohio.com www.retirementswohio.com
Well, cold calling is a good way of creating new prospect to expand business. Hence, you should continue with cold calling. Also, what goodnatured has said about advertising through local news paper, creating radio spot, mailers and so forth can generate business opportunities for you as well.
The personal relationship between the agent and his client has remained the main source of getting new business for many agents. Nothing is better than getting qualified references from the existing clients. It can save both your time and money. Hence, building trust with good service has remained an important business strategy for any aspiring agent.
You can get benefits by expanding your role to financial adviser, since many of the clients may require financial/investment suggestions from you other than insurance.
Remaining pro-active always helps. Another important criterion is social networking. An agent should possess excellent communication skills and should be impromptu.
Here are some tips that may help you to increase your cold calling conversion rate….
Make a list of the prospects, whom you would like to call on a particular date. If possible try to get verified phone numbers to increase the rate of success. Also choose a suitable time to call when you can get in touch with most of your clients. Avoid calling them at the busiest hours of the day, as this may only irritate them and will lower your chances to strike success.
Set a daily target to contact prospect and also try to increase the number of calls every day. If you have got some referrals from your existing customers contact those references first, since these are qualified leads the success ratio will be high.
Write a script for yourself and follow the script while calling. Always try to sound enthusiastic and assertive, but never try to push a product to the client, this may annoy them.
Try to give a good introduction at the beginning. Its important for them to know who's calling. Be brief with your call but include all the points you want to discuss.
Remember all the agents do cold calling, but the success lies on ‘calling with a difference'. Hope it helps.
I talk to everybody I meet. Doesn't matter if it is in line at the grocery store or wherever. I have always been outgoing and definitely not shy so doing this isn't a stretch for me. I almost always make sure I drop a word or two into the conversation about what I do.
My company's logo is on my shirt (dress and polo) so that helps a lot too.
I'm not pushy when speaking about insurance. When the conversation comes around to it, I usually say something like, "Give me a call and I'll put a quote together for you. If it is better than what you have now, then we'll talk. If what you have now is a better price than mine, then that is good for you. But at least you know."
That seems to work well with people. They like knowing if they have the best price. But it also gives me the opportunity to talk about other coverages and features my agency and I can bring them; things they aren't receiving from their current agent. _________________ Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. - Ferris Bueller
You both are quite right, being outgoing gives an added advantage to the agent. However, listing is also important in the field of insurance business. The agent shouldn't always try to persuade the client, but should be sympathetic to his/her views as well. Often times, a quiet person with a reserve personality can also succeed in this field, if he can use his ability to listen others views wisely.
