Success Tips for Agents: How to Get the Most from Your Business
What does it take to succeed in the highly competitive world of insurance?
Having a great product you believe in wholeheartedly is a great first step. But beyond the obvious, successful agents share certain practices that take them from mediocre to overwhelming success in the business.
Helpful Hints
Whether you're new to the industry or just need some fresh tips to help you regain your footing, try these suggestions:
1. Be Persistent
People are busy. Even if another client referred a prospect to you (or they requested an insurance quote themselves), be prepared to call a minimum of five times in order to reach them.
Your inability to contact a potential customer doesn't mean they're not interested…it just means they may not be available at the moment. So don't take it personally, and keep trying!
2. Use a Leads Service
Today's lead generation services, like InsureMe, use high-tech, secure systems to take information from consumers already shopping for insurance and drop it in your lap.
Using a leads service is a great way to increase your business volume, cut down on prospecting time, and target your customer market. Plus, these parties are looking for you and your product, so they're expecting your call.
3. Follow-Up Quickly
If you want to make the most of every opportunity, follow-up with potential clients right away. The faster you reply to their needs, the more likely they are to buy from you.
A quick response also shows the customer how important they are to you, and communicates that you value their time and care about their needs.
4. Provide Superior Service
Your clients should always remain your first priority! If they feel you can't give them what they need—or that they're a burden—they'll go elsewhere.
Make a concerted effort from each initial point of contact to let your clients know you're there for them. Answer their questions; help them find needed information, and take control of the details.
Empower them to trust you by putting yourself in their shoes, thinking ahead and meeting their needs…maybe even before they even realize they have them.
Show your clients they're important and that you value their business—and they'll keep coming back for more.
5. Ask for Referrals
As you are probably aware, satisfied customers can be a great source of new business for insurance agents.
Who better to testify of your quality service, competitive prices and helpful attitude than a customer who has experienced them firsthand?
Consider asking new clients to serve as touch points for potential ones. You'd be surprised how much more effective this is than telling the story yourself!
6. Survey Your Customers
Shortly after selling policies to new clients, send them a survey by U.S. mail or email, and ask them for input on their experience with you.
This gives your customers the opportunity to reveal their true thoughts and feelings, and helps you identify areas where you are weak and need to improve.
Take survey responses seriously, and use them to make changes as needed.
7. Stay in Touch
Nothing tells existing clients how much you appreciate them like a thank-you card after the sale; cards marking special occasions in their lives; or just a quick call or email asking them how they're doing.
This shows them they're on your mind, and that you care about what concerns them.
Remember, showing your customers you're thinking of them also brings you to their minds. That means they're likely to call or email if they need something further…which means more sales for you!
Poised for Success
Success as an agent in the competitive market of insurance isn't always easy.
But with some common sense and a few helpful hints, you can gain the edge you need and poise yourself for long-term success.
Don't settle for mediocre. Use these tips and reach your true business potential!
This information was provided by InsureMe, the leader in online insurance leads for the insurance industry. Since 1993, InsureMe has helped thousands of insurance agents succeed in the insurance business by providing top-quality leads that are both detailed and affordable. For more information on InsureMe leads, please visit our agent Web site at www.agent.insureme.com.
