Cold Calling Survivors in Obituaries

[HoosierLife]

Yeah I'm trying to figure out how to see if they're own the fed DNC in another thread.

 

[Rearden]

Don't do it. Just drop some mail for FE or buy a list of 60-75 year olds that are single. Bound to be some widows in both lists.

 

[GreenSky]

I just order water bottles with my name and phone number and throw them at the people attending the funeral.

I also get the address for where the family is feeding people and grab a plate. It's almost like cross-selling.

Rick

 

[pcbinsurance]

I put my name, number, and website on pizza boxes and hope the deceased family orders pizza.

 

[rousemark]

Once worked with an old debit agent who was very successful working obits. He would wait about 3 weeks after the obit appeared and then call on everyone listed, survivors, friends, pallbearers, etc. He would cold call their house with the same approach he always used for cold calling. He would never mention the deceased but what did happen was the people were more receptive than a regular cold call.

In those days agents that were based in the funeral homes also worked the obits for prospects so there was a bit of competition in the market that you might not find today as most funeral homes (in this area at least) no longer have agents working full time out of the funeral home.

With new technology, an agent could take it a step farther. Most funeral homes no have a "guest book" on their website. That would provide an additional source of names..

 

[HoosierLife]

Once worked with an old debit agent who was very successful working obits. He would wait about 3 weeks after the obit appeared and then call on everyone listed, survivors, friends, pallbearers, etc. He would cold call their house with the same approach he always used for cold calling. He would never mention the deceased but what did happen was the people were more receptive than a regular cold call.

In those days agents that were based in the funeral homes also worked the obits for prospects so there was a bit of competition in the market that you might not find today as most funeral homes (in this area at least) no longer have agents working full time out of the funeral home.

With new technology, an agent could take it a step farther. Most funeral homes no have a "guest book" on their website. That would provide an additional source of names..

Well that was my plan really. I didn't think of the guest book, but you can just google obits for people now, and I found one site that not only listed the survivors, but ppl would post comments and the comments would have their city at the bottom.

If ppl are more receptive, and I scrub the names against national DNC, wait a few weeks and call like any other call...I think it could work. Now I just need to learn something about insurance and ill be set

 

[Guest]

I know this sounds a little morbid, but its a cheap method of marketing. I also found this idea on rosenthal files. You go through the daily obits and write down the names of the people who have survived the deceased. Get their phone numbers and make a sales call.

From what I've been studying, the best people to prospect are those that have recently attended a funeral. Mark says you send thema letter first to get around DNC restrictions, but unless I'm misunderstanding what I've read, Indiana allows licensed agents to call consumers. From: Attorney General: About Do Not Call

Most telemarketers are forbidden from calling or texting numbers on the Do Not Call list. There are four types of telephone solicitors who are exempt from this law and may continue to contact you. These include charitable organizations (whose calls are made by volunteers or employees), newspapers (whose employees make their telephone calls) and licensed insurance and real estate agents. Indiana law does not allow companies with existing business relationships to make sales calls to you unless you have provided your permission to do so.

Wow, that's worse than ambulance chasing. Give people time to cope without trying to profit from it. (I want to put an emoticon here that shows disgust, but there isn't one. So just imagine a shaking head with a look of utter disappointment.)

 

[Norwayguy]

Wow, that's worse than ambulance chasing. Give people time to cope without trying to profit from it. (I want to put an emoticon here that shows disgust, but there isn't one. So just imagine a shaking head with a look of utter disappointment.)

I haven't tried this approach. But how is this different than someone getting a random marketing attempt. Most people need more insurance than they have, many have the impression they are bulletproof and may be more receptive during this time.

Personally I think the family would much prefer you call a survivor a couple weeks after a funeral than you ending up reaching out to the deceased weeks or months after their passing.....How many here have tried reaching a lead only to find out they passed away already.

 

[HoosierLife]

Wow, that's worse than ambulance chasing. Give people time to cope without trying to profit from it. (I want to put an emoticon here that shows disgust, but there isn't one. So just imagine a shaking head with a look of utter disappointment.)

Sorry I was under the impression that our services were helping those we also happen to profit from. I've spent the last 3 years selling roofs to ppl who've had wind/hail damage. The insurance company paid for it all, the contractor and I paid for the deductible. Was I taking advantage of their loss in that situation? If that's how you want to look at it. People sometimes don't see their need without a catalyst.

 

[Guest]

Sorry I was under the impression that our services were helping those we also happen to profit from. I've spent the last 3 years selling roofs to ppl who've had wind/hail damage. The insurance company paid for it all, the contractor and I paid for the deductible. Was I taking advantage of their loss in that situation? If that's how you want to look at it. People sometimes don't see their need without a catalyst.

What an ignorant comparison. You're comparing the replacement of a roof to the death of a spouse. Cold calling from the obits is the same as ambulance chasing, plain and simple.

When grandpa dies and grandma is sitting with an insurance salesman 2 days later looking at burial plans she is not thinking rationally. She will make decisions that may not be in her best interest because she is still grieving her loss.

I think the more respectable thing to do would be to wait a couple of months and then go door knock her. Tell her you heard about her husband's passing and you're deeply sorry for her loss. Give her your business card and tell her if there is anything you can ever do for her then she can give you a call. That makes you look like a respectful professional, instead of an ambulance chasing, profiteering insurance salesman who is only looking to make his next buck, not improve the lives of his clients.