Delusional: I Need Best Advice from the Pro's

[new2insurance2009]

Ok....here goes it...I went for an interview today with a captive agency. They pay a min. salary for 6 weeks...offer intermittent training....send you up to their corporate office (fully paid) for the 7th week...then afterwards you are 100% comm. They consider you captive b/c they offer you insurance from day one, vacation pay...etc. I don't really have a major issue with that necessarily...however...comm. is put into a "bank" you start selling in first week...presumably off of your "soft" market of friends and family....beyond that you walk the street, do events, door knock whatever required to meet your numbers each week. This is a turn off...I hate hitting up friends and family...more so door knocking....They offer no lead system....how in the hell does a new agent in the biz get started...When I asked about product training the response I got was don't worry about product training....interviewer said I just need to learn their system to win over the client...my red flags popped up immediately, and knew I was wasting my time...I have limited cash for start up of buying leads...credit score somewhat in the dumps 700 a year ago to maybe at best 600......Need help!! BTW- I love coming to this site for all your insights...truly valuable

 

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

"They offer no lead system"

Not good. Of course...maybe they are getting leads but giving them to other people.

I'm not enamored with that situation.

 

[new2insurance2009]

Dear Chumps- Absolutely no leads at all......how does one start in this biz with limited cash for buying leads? Do you really have to walk the streets & do door knocking? I mean really it's 2009 not 1959 for God Sake......

 

[somarco]

You need to spend some phone time with Mark.

Rosenthal Financial Services, LLC.

 

[STIBROKER]

Dear Chumps- Absolutely no leads at all......how does one start in this biz with limited cash for buying leads?

I will tell you what Mother Met told me 15 years ago......

Business, Resident Name Search - Polk City Directories

 

[Mark]

I don't like the fact that they told you that you don't have to worry about knowing anything about the products that you are selling or train you on them. I think it is very important to be an expert on what you are trying to sell to your clients. Make sure that you know everything about the products that you are selling before you show it to any client.

It won't take long for you to go through your family members and friends trying to sell them something and you won't get much results from it. They do the same thing when you become a car salesman or most other selling jobs.

You will either have to learn how to prospect or buy and use leads or you won't make it long no matter what you are doing.

I have some free prospecting audio tapes and ideas that I will email to you, if you will email me at [email protected]

This forum is also great for ideas and full of seasoned agents that will share some of their secrets with you.

I can still hear my first boss screaming at me, "Mark you have to See the People, See the People, See the People"

It is all about getting in front of people and trying to show them that they have a problem that they might not know about that you want to help them fix.

You may want to check out more captive companies also and see your options.

No matter who you go with or if you go independent, you will still have to find a way to see the people. You will either have to learn to prospect, have someone show you the ropes, or buy leads and learn how to work them.

Find a mentor and get someone that will show you the ropes and try to pick as many agents brains as you can.

You can call me anytime and I will always talk you head off and see what I can do to help you.

 

[STIBROKER]

Thats good Mark....

I will tell you what Mother Met told me 15 years ago......

Business, Resident Name Search - Polk City Directories

 

[new2insurance2009]

Well Said Mark- I Will Call You Soon To Discuss This All With You-much Appreciated

 

[nka245]

There are so many ways to generate prospects in this business it is overwhelming. What makes the mula is whether you are dedicated and willing to put the time in to generate them. Nothing is free. Nothing is easy. Insurance is a business and you have to have some money to get you going; like with any business. You can not expect to start a business broke. I don't care what all of the late night infomercials say. Yes, you can be in insurance without it costing you a fortune but it will still cost you time and it is funny how so many people do not put a price on their time. Anyway, moving forward, here are so prospecting ideas that you can use, if you truly want to make some $ so you can actually get better leads down the road for less time.
1) Partner with a mortgage broker or loan mod person
2) Partner with a local funeral home to do some burial policies
3) partner with some P&C guys who typically abhor life insurance
4) join your chamber of commerce and start working the room
5) volunteer at police or firemen functions and then start selling to them. THEY NEED INSURANCE!
6) set up a booth at the flea market
7) Go to construction sites and lunch and market to construction workers. Maybe offer to buy them lunch off of the lunch truck or bring some cans of soda with you.
8) come up with some of your own ideas!

Network with people who are in the business. Get a mentor who is successful.

I don't at all believe you need someone to hold your hand with this. If you want your business to be YOUR business then act like it, take control of it, and work for it.
You can learn along the way. Just put yourself out there and prove you really want it.
An independent agent should be just that, independent. I do believe in mentoring but at some point you need to take the wheel and navigate your own destiny.
Good luck!

 

[squeed]

For 1 through 3, what is their incentive to partner with you ?

-S