Getting tired...

[C.Lewis]

Little background on me -
- did the call center thing for 5 years with that lizard chain.... hated almost every minute of it except paydays -
- worked for a captive agent for 2 years
- have now worked for an agency for 2.5 years
- VA agent (P&C, Health, Life)

My problem is this. I do not really have the time nor the desire to run an agency or start one. But, in the mean time, I'd like to make more money than I am now. I am hourly at this agency and the commission is a joke for P&C. We have a marketing dept. but I guess our's gets overlooked. So, we've been put in the position of marketing for ourselves. Going to car dealerships (I HATE the car dealerships more than I hated that damn lizard) and apartment communities to toot our horn. Never works. Of course they don't call. They are entertained while you stop by but it's always a dead end.

So, can anyone recommend a good book or read on marketing and what I can do to generate more business? We get a hefty commission for life sales. Health is decent. Both much better than P&C. So I'd like to entertain that route more and make some money. I just have no desire to be in management nor run an agency right now.

I see you gentlemen on here and I know you're making money. I would be happy with $50K a year. Maybe I am just with the wrong company and I need to go solely for life or health sales. But I do not want to cold call and swindle people. It's not my thing. Too much belief in Karma.

Thanks for any feedback. It's appreciated.

 

[Charpress]

Sound to me like you need to get a good FMO and go independent. The hard part will be walking away from the certain low paycheck to a uncertain higher income.

 

[myinsurebiz]

Mr. Lewis,

Don't fold - Go all in . . .

There are many companies out there that could use your experience. Jump in with a good marketing organization, write some personal business, build a small team and work with your new team to help them grow. You can utilize this leverage to produce decent over-rides and bonuses for yourself, while at the same time, you can help others earn commissions and bonuses for themselves. No "managing" is required - just motivate!

If you can't find an organization in your area, we may be able to help.

If you have the abilities to teach, train and lead - I would entertain helping you build a small team in your area. We can always use a team member with your experiences.

Hang in there!

Thanks,

Tom

 

[joshril]

I see you gentlemen on here and I know you're making money. I would be happy with $50K a year.

This is the problem... I'm not trying to be rude, but with this type of attitude, you should definitely stay where you're at. If you "would be happy with $50k a year" you will never make it as an independent agent.

As far as marketing, it all boils down to personal preference and activity. I know we get tired of hearing this, but it's still a numbers game and always will be a numbers game.

If you honestly look in the mirror and ask yourself if you're giving it 100% everyday, I'm sure you will realize you could always try harder. I know I don't always give 100%.

It doesn't matter what marketing method you use... as long as you give it your all and you're consistent.

 

[Tx249]

This is the problem... I'm not trying to be rude, but with this type of attitude, you should definitely stay where you're at. If you "would be happy with $50k a year" you will never make it as an independent agent.

I don't agree! I would think a part timer could or should do $50K per year. With your experience that should be easy probably in one or two days per week. They might be long days though. I know that in the summer working from 8:30 or 9:00 am to 8 or 9 pm two days a week works very well! It might take another half day lining up those two days. In the winter I won't work after dark. I know a guy in Kansas that worked two days a week plus one setting those two days up and made over $200K last year. But what do I know, I'm just a newbie!

 

[insuremojo]

I don't agree! I would think a part timer could or should do $50K per year. With your experience that should be easy probably in one or two days per week. They might be long days though. I know that in the summer working from 8:30 or 9:00 am to 8 or 9 pm two days a week works very well! It might take another half day lining up those two days. In the winter I won't work after dark. I know a guy in Kansas that worked two days a week plus one setting those two days up and made over $200K last year. But what do I know, I'm just a newbie!

That looks familiar!

 

[insuremojo]

I don't understand why you think cold calling means you're a "swindler"?

Why would you get bad karma for selling someone a good plan?

Just be ethical.

 

[Charpress]

The kind of income you're talking about can be made with one good sale.

But, to get that one good sale you typically have to spend money. Whether it is paying for meals, paying for mailings, paying for lists, it costs money to make money just like in any other business.

I've seen people begin to spend the money and then panic when they did not see an immediate payoff.

A good FMO can get you started, but I think most people here will agree that you have to go a bit out on a limb if you want to be independent.

 

[LTCiPro]

You will not make a decent income until you get away from the "pay-check" mentality, C. Lewis. Straight commission is the only way to fly, but coupled with reasonable intelligence. The best deals I have ever seen for someone who just wants to sell and leave all else to someone else is where the selling agent works with a well-established, prominant, full-service, all-lines P&C agency, on a 50-50 split of earned/paid commissions. The agency is expected to handle all managerial, clerical, staffing, advertising, and systems, repsonsibilities/expenses, etc., etc., etc. The agent PROSPECTS and SELLS!!! Not sits in the office on his/her butt, sipping coffee and reading the paper, while waiting for prospects to call but...he/she PROSPECTS and SELLS!!!

If the agency is taking on all that risk, overhead and man hours to put their agents in a prominant light in the community, the agent should bust their butts prospecting and getting infront of people who have many and varied insurance and financial problems to be solved by your expertise and products. Oh, and rest assured...you will have a quota to reach to keep that position based on what it cost to have you as an agent in that agency, plus a reasonable profit minimum to make it worth the agency's while for you to be there.

If that is too much work, I suggest you lower your standard of living and financial expectations and keep the paycheck. I personally believe the commission is the better deal for the better person...the question is; ARE YOU THAT PERSON!!!

Soul searching time!!!

 

[tentel]

Little background on me -
- did the call center thing for 5 years with that lizard chain.... hated almost every minute of it except paydays -
- worked for a captive agent for 2 years
- have now worked for an agency for 2.5 years
- VA agent (P&C, Health, Life)

My problem is this. I do not really have the time nor the desire to run an agency or start one. But, in the mean time, I'd like to make more money than I am now. I am hourly at this agency and the commission is a joke for P&C. We have a marketing dept. but I guess our's gets overlooked. So, we've been put in the position of marketing for ourselves. Going to car dealerships (I HATE the car dealerships more than I hated that damn lizard) and apartment communities to toot our horn. Never works. Of course they don't call. They are entertained while you stop by but it's always a dead end.

So, can anyone recommend a good book or read on marketing and what I can do to generate more business? We get a hefty commission for life sales. Health is decent. Both much better than P&C. So I'd like to entertain that route more and make some money. I just have no desire to be in management nor run an agency right now.

I see you gentlemen on here and I know you're making money. I would be happy with $50K a year. Maybe I am just with the wrong company and I need to go solely for life or health sales. But I do not want to cold call and swindle people. It's not my thing. Too much belief in Karma.

Thanks for any feedback. It's appreciated.

Mr. Lewis,

Selling Sucks, by Frank Rumbauskas is a great book on marketing yourself. Quick, short simple read that is full of great information to get started.

hope you like it!