Automation plays a significant role in our lives. Of course, much of it is technology based. Moreover, it is a central driver within our professional, independent insurance agencies. It helps agency owners and employees work smarter. Done right, it saves us time and...
When it comes to selling, a sophisticated approach is not always better
Almost everyone acknowledges that regardless of the industry involved, revenue generation has become more challenging over the years. Today several selling and business development tools are available to independent agents that make it is easy to lose sight of the big...
Protect your agency: Copyright and trademarks
Several years ago, Lebron James filed a trademark application for the phrase Taco Tuesday that, predictably, caused an uproar on the internet. Apart from the fact the internet consistently needs to get outraged over something, it struck many rational people as a bit...
NOAA predicts a mild, warm Northeast this spring
Recently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its climate predictions for April, May and June. After a winter that was mild for some—and not so mild for others—this spring could be a much-needed break. However, some of these predictions come...
CPIA: Designated for success
When independent insurance agents earn specialized designations, they elevate their skills to expert status on the national level. There are plenty of designations that insurance agents can earn, and the Certified Professional Insurance Agent designation through the...
Back to the basics: What to know about commissions
Commissions seem basic: You sell an insurance policy to a client and you get a commission. However—as with all things insurance—it’s never quite that simple. There are laws and regulations regarding commissions, service fees, referral fees and rebating for insurance...
Five tips for negotiating with clients
From time to time, independent insurance agents will have to negotiate with their clients about their insurance policies—maybe a new homeowner will ask the agent to match a competitor’s lower monthly premium because he or she feels more comfortable signing with the...
Four insights to guide your agency’s digital strategy
To thrive in the future, independent agencies need to adopt digital ways of doing business. Today’s consumers expect a streamlined digital experience—from learning about an agency and buying insurance to getting service for their policies. Following are four key...
Digital marketing foundations any independent agent can implement
Blog posting. Social media. Video implementation. SEO. Analytics. Net promoter scores. Pay-per-clicks. Advertising. Newsletters. Does digital marketing seem overwhelming—almost like you need to hire someone full-time just to keep up? Let me take a step back and offer...
Advertising in any galaxy, even ones far, far away
The modern insurance industry has been around for hundreds of years. Insurance advertising has been around for almost as long. Despite that, navigating the do’s and don’ts of insurance advertising is a constant source of confusion for agencies. And, that is most true...