Go Independent or Go with an Established Agency?

[Mark]

I will share some of my ideas and systems with you. A lot of people on this forum you will find are willing to help you.

 

[Slim]

I thought I was being very constructive.

Thanks for the reply. You had/have a nice avatar.

I admit to being offensive once , but am surprised if you are surprised .

If you feel that I owe you an apology for being "cute" or trying to be or for just being or seeming rude, then you have my apology.

But , really now, is it us "boys and girls" here who need to "load" you up with knowledge. Start reading it all. There is a lot already here to keep you busy learning.

I thought this was an interesting thread . I followed it and it caught my attention tonight.

Best to you.

 

[robyn]

What part of Texas are you located in? I am an Allstate agency owner and we can sell employee benefits plans (like aflac) through American Heritage Life. It has accident, cancer, life, etc. I know there are people that work just as reps for these products although I don't know much about what the training and requirements are. Might be something to look into to at least get some training and practice before trying to go independent.

 

[Slim]

I understood who you were directing your comment to.

I did not mean to add to your stress.

Believe me , I know the problems with figuring out what steps to take in developing a proper course of action.

I understand we never know who to trust or what to think especially when we start out.

And I know how disappointing it is to go after a goal , and find out quickly that it is not as expected.

 

[Jewels1969]

Hi.. I am new here. In your message your say "Look at some of the folks here who have organization, associations and marketing groups. Surely you can find a fit, some education, and a mentor to help you get started."..
Where do I go to find this information. I am in Northern California. I recently got my license to sell health and life. I also just passed an annuities course. Now I am wondering what my next step is. I would love to chat with others in my area and get some advice. I'd really love a mentor and some connections here in the Sacramento area. I appreciate any help you can provide.

 

[Slim]

Jewels, Whose message are you putting in quotes?

 

[jhenderson99]

I'm a newb too and have been spinning my wheels as an independant. I am considering joining the IHIAA program but have also read about the importance of a Mentor.
Would I get the Mentor like help from IHIAA or am I better sending a post for a local Mentor?

 

[Slim]

It probably depends on how bad you want a mentor.

Read as much as you can here. Decide exactly what it is you want and put it "out there" . Put out a game plan.

For instance, I am credentialed with 3 very solid MA companies. As an independent. One of the companies has a couple of large subsidiaries.

I started out with leads and depended on those leads. Then the leads dried up after I got a taste for the money. Now I can only kick myself for not generating my own leads in the meantime . I can offer all income levels an MA or a Med Supp that fits their need. But it is no good unless you/I have money, time, relationships and leads to work the business.

I have a final expense company and a mortgage term company at my disposal , but still I need a lot more leads and appointments to offer these excellent products and my excellent service to qualified prospects.

Point is if you have a good bank-roll, then look for and find what you consider a good mentor. Hopefully he/she will pay off for you in spades like they should.

But mentoring is a long process when done properly. It is a significant investment for all parties (Mentor and Mentee).

So , while you are searching for a Mentor if you are looking , read and search here for what you want to know.

Mostly you have to get out there in the public and become well known. You have to take some of the ideas here and if you will write down 10 of tem a day or even 5 at night and then commit to spend a day trying as many or all you can you will probably make some significant progress in a short period of time.

If you cannot find mentoring right here right now then you are not or may not be applying yourself to your full potential.

The accountability part and the live part may be very necessary and useful . (right now do this: Start waking up an hour earlier and going to bed a little later right now to pack some extra study time in your day and give yourself an extra hour and a half a day to meet new people and go to new places for your own business reasons).


Bottom line is when you are ready for a mentor to be part of your business the mentor will come.

But it probably won't be cheap. :-)

 

[jhenderson99]

Thanks..... I appriciate the advice. Funny you mention the MA, I have a company I am just getting started with providing me the MA / FE leads. I also do reverse Mtg's from my past biz so I think it will be a good mix for a start. My goal / plan is to branch out and roll the funds into individual/group health and eventually life. I have been only doing the individual and wasting money on leads - very bad ROI.

 

[hlink20]

Another question. If I wanted to go independent, how exactly is that done? Who do I go to for products? I know how to get contacts and cold-call, but need the resources for the insurance products. Load me up with knowledge boys and girls, I'm ready to learn!

In my opinion, being independent is the best route to take an insurance career. You will have more control of your business and can expand your offerings easier. I suggest first identifying the markets you are going to target. Second, research the demographics to position you, to identify the best products to offer. Then create a solid business plan to attack your market. Be sure that you use as much technology as possible, in order to keep you ahead of the curve. Good luck.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ok, went to AFLAC school today and left at lunch. It seems like there is a whole lot of brown-nosing the teacher and not a lot of learning. I also don't like how they make you truck around with someone the first three months of work. I really just want to learn the product and get on with it, and don't think AFLAC is going to fit what I want to do. PLEASE HELP with ideas on what companies focus on long-term care and life and cancer policies. I really want to be with a company that lets me go do my job.... SELLING INSURANCE!

I know it seems like a pain to shadow someone for 3 months. If you have a good mentor with them it could be the best free training you will get. However, with Aflac you do only have about a 50/50 shot of getting a good one. I suggest doing a little research on your mentor... How long have they been in the insurance business?... How long have they been with Aflac?... and etc... If they appear to be solid, then take the free training. A word of caution... If you have a newbie manager in their system, be careful with your business splits. Sometimes the "Newbie" is so hungry for business themselves, that they are not exactly fair with the accounting. At the end of the day, Aflac still has some of the strongest voluntary benefits and training in products, in the market today. Good luck.