As we’ve discussed in a few prior posts over the years, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is important to every business. But it can be especially important for insurance sales professionals. If you’re not using CRM to help you with reporting, managing your interactions with customers, and optimizing processes, you need to ask yourself, “Why?” There are CRM platforms for virtually every budget. Don’t focus just on cost, think about everything CRM can do to help you.
CRM offers many advantages to those who adopt and use the technology:
- Better time management: CRM enables you to streamline processes and prioritize what’s really important. That will help you boost agency revenue and drive improved ROI.
- Marketing automation: CRM can help improve your communications – with prospects and You can keep them informed of regulatory changes affecting their benefits, news on their upcoming renewal, new product availability, etc. That helps you set the stage for your next meeting, discussion, and potential additional sales.
- Improved customer service: Using CRM, you can nurture stronger ties with your customers. It can improve your follow up – on quotes, client inquiries, claims, and other things. That can open the door to increased social media endorsements and client referrals to prospective new customers.
If your sales and client information is not currently centralized, you risk losing valuable customer data when someone leaves your team. With CRM, it’s all available to you and others with just a few keystrokes.
What CRM Platform Is Right for You?
According to PC Magazine, the top pick overall for CRM in 2024 is Salesforce. The editors say it’s the best because Salesforce is a CRM leader, and it continues to rise above its competitors. The magazine notes “there’s probably no feature you could want” in a CRM platform that Salesforce cannot deliver. For some, it could offer more than you need. You need to weigh costs to benefits (your real needs vs. features you may or may not use).
Another platform favorably reviewed by PC Magazine is Zoho CRM, which is deemed “a standout tool.” It rivals Salesforce in many ways and includes an AI-powered analytics engine to spot sales trends plus a drag-and-drop interface. Editors say Zoho CRM offers near-total customization, flexible AI (at higher tiers), and a deep feature set. A lower-priced alternative with fewer bells and whistles is Bigin by Zoho.
A fourth CRM option, ranked highly by PC Magazine as well as Forbes Advisor, is HubSpot. PC Magazine says, “If you’re starting at square one with CRM, and you’d like marketing and service tools to go along with it, HubSpot could be a good pick.” It offers a robust features set, a generous free version, and more. The magazine does caution, however, that some commonplace features are only available with higher-priced tiers. Forbes put HubSpot at the top of its list for 2024. Others ranking high for Forbes are Honeybook and Pipedrive.
Save Time and Focus on Sales
CRM can do a lot for you and your business. Most of all, it can save you time – so you can focus on sales. Your partnership with Word & Brown can do the same. Let us take on some of your tasks. More than great service, we do it all: quoting, sales, enrollment, underwriting, tech, compliance, training, marketing, and more. We are here to help you expand your sales and keep current customers coming back – year after year.
If you’re already working with us, contact your Word & Brown representative to see how we can help you make 2024 even more successful. If you are not yet working with us, call (800) 869-6989 to find out how you can get started. Or, register using our online form.
