F2F Appointment Length

[Rearden]

Hello all,

I have always scheduled my FE appointments 2 hours apart when set via the phone.

I probably have 3 out of 10 FE appointments stand me up on average.

So on a day with 5 appointments, I am doing well to see 4 of them, although I might only see 3.

In discussions with other FE agents, I see that some of you schedule appointments 90 minutes apart. Somebody even mentioned setting appointments 60 minutes apart!

Where I normally scoffed at that, it definitely makes sense, since many appointments stand you up or reschedule, and you're left with nothing (but door knocking) to do.

The obvious benefit is that you can stack more appointments in a day with 60/90 minute increments, and I imagine probably being able to do them all, knowing several will no-show or cancel.

I'd like to hear from you who are doing appointments set every 60 to 90 minutes, and get your experience on it.

 

[sokybrian]

Hello all,

I have always scheduled my FE appointments 2 hours apart when set via the phone.

I probably have 3 out of 10 FE appointments stand me up on average.

So on a day with 5 appointments, I am doing well to see 4 of them, although I might only see 3.

In discussions with other FE agents, I see that some of you schedule appointments 90 minutes apart. Somebody even mentioned setting appointments 60 minutes apart!

Where I normally scoffed at that, it definitely makes sense, since many appointments stand you up or reschedule, and you're left with nothing (but door knocking) to do.

The obvious benefit is that you can stack more appointments in a day with 60/90 minute increments, and I imagine probably being able to do them all, knowing several will no-show or cancel.

I'd like to hear from you who are doing appointments set every 60 to 90 minutes, and get your experience on it.

If my leads are all in the same county, my appts are 1.5 hrs apart. Even though seniors like to talk, they wear out easily. And, I have to make a living. When I start crossing that county line back and forth, they are 2 hrs apart to allow for drive time. I also ask that each one give me a 30 min window in the event that a more difficult case runs a bit long, or adversely a bit short.

 

[jdeasy]

Hello all,

I have always scheduled my FE appointments 2 hours apart when set via the phone.

I probably have 3 out of 10 FE appointments stand me up on average.

So on a day with 5 appointments, I am doing well to see 4 of them, although I might only see 3.

In discussions with other FE agents, I see that some of you schedule appointments 90 minutes apart. Somebody even mentioned setting appointments 60 minutes apart!

Where I normally scoffed at that, it definitely makes sense, since many appointments stand you up or reschedule, and you're left with nothing (but door knocking) to do.

The obvious benefit is that you can stack more appointments in a day with 60/90 minute increments, and I imagine probably being able to do them all, knowing several will no-show or cancel.

I'd like to hear from you who are doing appointments set every 60 to 90 minutes, and get your experience on it.

I schedule an hour and a half apart and sometimes depending on the vibe get on the phone only an hour apart.

I know many top producers that schedule on the hour. I just can't do that. Where my leads are for next week I know some of the people are 35 to 40 miles apart even though they are in the same county. I will have to give myself more time between appointments.

 

[Rearden]

Does Tim schedule 60 minutes apart?

 

[theinsuranceman]

The spacing of the appointments will be influenced more by the geography of each lead's location than by the prospects questions/personality/demeanor.

 

[nfl72]

I ususally do mine every two hours apart.

I don't get stood up very often. I do make sure that when I schedule the appointment I have them write down my name and phone number and the time and date for the appointment. I also make sure they know to call me if they can not attentd so I can put someone else into their time slot. I re-inforce how busy my day is and it is important to try and keep our appointment.

Also if they call when your on the way to the appointment, never answer just show up and pretend you never received the call. Most of the time they are there and will see you.

 

[jdeasy]

Does Tim schedule 60 minutes apart?

No, he does an hour and a half apart.

My warm up takes 10 to 15 minutes. My presentation can take up to 20 minutes, more if they keep asking questions, {but that's a good thing when they do}, that's 30 minutes or more before I know if we are doing business. Then 20 minutes to do the app, {more if it's a couple}, and 5 to 10 minutes of warm down. I leave with 10 to 15 minutes to get to my next stop.

I don't get no showed often and I've found that people that schedule on the hour almost count a no show or two to keep them on schedule.

If I run long at a stop it's because I'm doing business. maybe they wanted more than two policies, {kids or grand kids}, or maybe we are spending time on the phone with their present company to get details of what they have. I won't leave a place where I'm doing business just to be on time for the next one.

While I don't get many no shows I do get some that take only 10 minutes or less because can't define why they sent in the card. For those people I don't do a warm up or presentation so I'm ahead for the day. I just go on to my next one an hour or so early. I'm dealing with seniors so they are usually home. If not then I will doorknock some old leads in that area that I haven't been able to get on the phone until my next scheduled stop.

 

[SDsandiego]

So what is the length of your actually presentation (typically)... including and not including filling out the App, PHI etc;

I suppose what I am looking for is an itemized breakdown of your appointment. i.e. how much time do typically spend on each phase of your presentation?

As a new agent just want to get the feel of where my appointment timeline is in comparison to the veterans on here.

Thanks for your response and all of the great info you guys share!

 

[Todd King]

So what is the length of your actually presentation (typically)... including and not including filling out the App, PHI etc;

I suppose what I am looking for is an itemized breakdown of your appointment. i.e. how much time do typically spend on each phase of your presentation?

As a new agent just want to get the feel of where my appointment timeline is in comparison to the veterans on here.

Thanks for your response and all of the great info you guys share!

As time goes on, you'll find yourself doing the same appointment and giving the same information in a shorter amount of time.

When I was still in the field, I could do a Med Supp and FE appointment in about one hour total. Therefore, I scheduled my appointments 1:15 to 1:30 apart.

When I first started, that same appointment would take me near to 2 hours. Over time I learned to control the appointment and the presentation better.

The key to it all is really 2-fold. Learn to control the appointment and also make everything just as simple as possible without skimping on the info given.

 

[Rearden]

I'm working on dramatically simplifying my apppointment and working with carriers that do not do POS interviews for 90 percent of my prospects.

For example, I am reducing my presentation to 5 minutes and on a legal pad.

The FE sale is simple and uncomplicated. The appointment should reflect that.