The Insurance Agent's Resource
The word “media” is rarely spoken these days without the word “social” in front of it, but before the term became synonymous with Facebook and Twitter, “media relations” was (and still is) a wonderful way to brand yourself as an expert in your specialty. The best part is that you probably already have the skills to be good at media relations, even if you don’t realize it just yet. Where Does Media Relations Fit? It’s important to understand the objective of media relations to … [Read more...]
Can you establish a lasting business relationship in just seven seconds? You can if you make a great first impression. Seven seconds is the average length of time you have to do it, and everyone knows that you won’t get a second opportunity. A positive first impression can turn a chance encounter into a long-term association. Whether that initial meeting is face-to-face, over the phone or online, you do not have time to waste. It pays for you to understand how people make their first … [Read more...]
I talk with an average of a few hundred insurance agents each month, and almost every one has accepted the fact that Facebook now must become part of their daily marketing plan. Commissions are going down, competition is growing and agents know they need to touch more potential clients, and Facebook’s viral marketing capabilities are the most efficient and cost-effective solutions to these challenges. The trick is, to make Facebook part of your daily model, you need to have a plan or a … [Read more...]
As a time-strapped small-business owner, determining which networking events to attend and which to skip can be tricky. It's all about the return on investment. How will your business benefit by you attending versus the time and resources it takes to be there. This is when having a networking strategy will come in handy. From identifying who you want to connect with to knowing where to find them, here are three essential questions you should answer in order to create a networking plan that … [Read more...]
Build your networking skills--one step at a time. As an entrepreneur, one of your primary goals is to continue to fill your pipeline with new business. One of the most cost-effective ways to do this--particularly for a smaller business--is through networking. Before you can begin to be an effective networker, it's important to identify some of the strengths and skill sets that you bring to the table as a business professional. • Are you a people person? • Do you enjoy public … [Read more...]
Strategic alliances have been around for a long time in the insurance industry. But today, they’re in an altogether new phase of growth. According to a recent industry sample taken by the Inter-Company Marketing Group (ICMG) and reported here, found that two-thirds of life, health and benefits insurance market participants have added revenue to their firms in the past three years by engaging in strategic alliances. Many in the industry have had the sense that inter-company partnerships are … [Read more...]
