Starting as an Independent Agent
Indy bands, indy movies and indy agents have similar challenges-lack of start-up capital, limited initial exposure and no immediate pay off.
But with those obstacles come a whole slew of potential perks. As an independent agent, you are unfettered by the restrictions of a parent company, free to cross-sell other lines of insurance, able to compare price and product among a variety of insurers and sell the policy through another insurer if a primary one cannot write the policy.
If you have not been an agent before, there is some training and licensing that you must complete before you can start your career in insurance. Find out more about how to become an agent in this article.
The insurance industry is competitive, so taking steps to set yourself apart from the rest is imperative.
It's a digital world.
To stand out from all the agents and insurance companies, you need an internet presence. That means, a web site with helpful articles and information about yourself. If you have no web-design skills, hire someone to help you put together a usable site. Seventy-five percent of households shop online. A web site will be your first impression on many potential clients.
Get online leads.
In a recent Agent Media study, agents cited prospecting as the most difficult part of their jobs. Using a lead referral service, like InsureMe, helps you get referrals for your business and allows you to target the leads you receive, so you only pay for leads you can write.
Practice good customer service.
Remembering your clients' birthdays and anniversaries is a good way to keep in touch and score points. But the best time to wow customers is when there is an issue. Handling a customer's problem quickly and professionally is an excellent way to generate word of mouth marketing-the ultimate free advertising.
Becoming an independent agent takes motivation and determination, but can be rewarding in that you are your own boss. Get started on yourroad to success by contacting InsureMe today.
