​You HAVE to have a digital presence. We ALL know that. You can't escape it. If you're not online, your clients and FUTURE clients will NOT find you. Google is what everyone does when they want to research ANYTHING. But, do you HAVE to have a website?
​
We say NO, and we'll tell you why...

​When you Google something, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) pulls up the highest ranking (researched) results. If someone is researching insurance agents, you don't have to have a website to show up on the list.
 
What you DO need to have though, is an online presence. Your name and agency will show up in ANY online results, and that can be a business facebook page. A FREE page that allows you to advertise your services, share updates about your agency and give you that much needed digital presence.

Don't get us wrong, having a website is HUGELY beneficial, and if you have the budget, by all means build a website. But if you don't...

• have the time to seek out a website developer, 
• or if you don't have the money in your budget to pay for one,

...then take a couple hours and build yourself a professional facebook page for your agency.

We'll even help you if you need assistance.
 
Read more on creating a facebook business page...

By Carolyn Portanova

​There are two types of insurance agents. Those who sell you what YOU think you need, and those who sell you what you TRULY need.

You have your hustlers who get out there and sell that quick life policy or home owner’s policy because that’s what their client came to them for. But do they take the time to get to know their clients and follow a well thought-out customer engagement model? An engagement model that steps them out of the insurance agent role and into the caring and trusted advisor role?

Let’s face it, getting that next policy on the books is good for your bottom line, and if you’ve got 300 clients, then what’s selling just another policy? Or wait? Is that really who you are? What your business is about? Just selling insurance to pay the bills, and get that free trip the carrier promised you? Or is it more? Are you the type of insurance agent who wants to be remembered for helping others? The type of individual who leaves behind a legacy? The type of professional who went above and beyond to insure his/her clients were getting EXACTLY what they needed?

If you’re following that customer engagement model and talking to your clients about their lives, you’re learning about them and where they need your insight and advice. They’re coming to you for your knowledge and expertise. If they weren’t, they’d just buy their insurance online and forgo the whole insurance agent altogether. Right?

Example:

Your client wants to purchase a life insurance policy, but is also turning 65 later this year, and will likely need some type of supplemental insurance once he’s retired and enrolled in Medicare. If you’re asking the client his age when you’re running a quote for his life policy, the next step in your mind should be to discuss his health insurance needs after reviewing life insurance options. That’s not rocket science. From there you can dive deeper into your client’s needs and mention long-term care. If he’s planning on retiring at age 65 and enrolling in Medicare, long-term care isn’t covered by Medicare unless he requires skilled services or rehabilitative care. Long-term Care costs are staggering. Nursing home facilities command a whopping $82,125/year for a just semi-private room.

It takes a matter of minutes to open up the doors for discussion when you’re speaking to a client or a prospect. A quick policy on the books is great for your bank account, but satisfied clients who refer your services because you’ve gone above and beyond to help them with a complete solution? Legacy status.

Selling your clients insurance or a solution? It all lies in your hands.

By Carolyn Portanova