When you’re starting your career as an insurance sales professional, there are many things to consider. Do you want to work for yourself or for someone else? What type of insurance do you want to sell? There are many segments of the insurance marketplace. Do you want to be a captive insurance agent (selling policies for a single insurer)? Or would you prefer being independent – with the ability to sell a wider range of insurers’ products? After you’ve made those decisions and earned your required license in the state where you plan to do business, it’s important you adopt strategies to help you succeed. Below are eight to consider.
Success Tips for New Insurance Agents
Build Strong Client Relationships
You can build trust and establish long-lasting client relationships through active listening, empathy, and working to understand each of your client’s unique needs and concerns. Take a real interest in others and what they are saying – so you’re able to focus more on what they need and less on how to quickly respond.
Deliver Exceptional Service
In the insurance business, service is key. Be responsive and do whatever you can to go above and beyond in serving your clients’ needs. That will help you attract and retain clients – and earn referrals, too.
Be Proactive
It is essential that you do not wait for clients to come to you. You need to periodically reach out and offer assistance to prospects and clients concerning their changing needs.
Stay on Top of Industry Trends
To better serve the needs of your clients – and to prove your value to them – it is important to stay up to date on evolving technology, new insurance products and services, state and national regulations, and industry best practices.
Your adoption of new tech can help you streamline your workflow and enhance your client service. This may include Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and agency management systems as well as marketing tools to enrich your client communications and prospecting efforts.
Market Yourself and Your Capabilities
Expand your professional network by marketing yourself and your agency. Get involved in your community through business groups like your local or regional chamber of commerce, trade or business associations, Business Networking International (BNI), or even your area Kiwanis or Rotary club. Make sure your clients and prospects are aware of everything you can do and what you can offer to help them address their business needs and the needs of their employees.
Set Goals and Stay Disciplined
Establish clear, achievable goals at least annually and routinely (at least quarterly) revisit them to ensure you’re on target. Don’t be afraid to make changes based on what’s working – or not – as the year progresses. Our blog post from earlier this year, Insurance Goal Setting: 7 Essential Tips for Success as a Health Insurance Agent, might be a useful guide.
Prioritize Ethics and Integrity
Pledge yourself to ethical conduct and integrity. Both are fundamental to establishing and maintaining trust with your clients, prospects, colleagues, and others. People are more likely to trust and rely on those who embrace transparency and act with honesty and fairness.
Continually Develop Your Skills
In your role as a licensed insurance professional, you’re required to complete a certain number of Continuing Education Credits to maintain your license. (Requirements vary by state, but California requires 24 CE Credits every two years for many licenses. Nevada requires 30 hours every three years.) Investing in yourself through ongoing training, education, and mentorship will help you build and maintain valuable relationships with your customers and prospects.
All of these strategies are designed to help you – in your first year of business and for years to come. Affiliating yourself with a General Agency like Word & Brown can help, too. Our organization offers tools, technology, experience, and Service of Unequalled Excellence to help you write more and earn more. If you are not already doing business with us, it’s easy to get started. Fill out our online registration form, or call us today at (800) 869-6989.
