Go Independent or Go with an Established Agency?

[Damos]

I would strongly urge anyone starting out in this business to spend their first couple of years in a career shop. One of the major life companies would be a good place to start. You can learn the business, get a designation or two, and you have better odds of finding a competent mentor in an organization that doesn't recruit every warm body that can fog a mirror. Many of these shops have 20+ year veterans that have built a very successful practice, become wealthy and now enjoy mentoring new agents who show promise.

A couple of years in this environment would give you a tremendous advantage if you later decided to go independent. Jumping out on your own from the start is a good way to become frustrated, disillusioned and risk ending your career too soon. Sure, going independent can offer you personal freedom, greater flexibility in product, and higher commissions. However, it's also very easy to become overwhelmed by all of the choices you have and its very hard to stay focused; this is especially true if you are brand new to the business.

I am speaking from over two decades of experience split evenly on both sides. I have personally recruited, trained and mentored dozens of agents in both environments. Neither option is the end all, be all for all people. Some people should never be independent because they perform better in a team environment with lots of structure. Others can benefit from starting this way but will ultimately be happier independent.

Either way, I wish you success. It's a great business and most people who have a strong work ethic manage to make a living at it. However, the truly successful agents find a niche and don't allow themselves to lose focus by chasing the next great thing.

 

[rjm63]

ACSIA

Not impressed by them at all.

Took forever to finally talk to someone (recruiters never returned voice-mails or e-mails) and then before I even made the decision to go with them I was treated like they were paying me a salary + benefits.

IMO...strange group of people....fwiw.

 

[simplyinsuretx]

I'm asking questions because I want to learn. If you don't have anything constructive to add, don't bother commenting (Slim).

For all of you who care to help newbies like myself, I appreciate your kindness and insight.

I spent two years of very hard work and pavement pounding trying to make aflac work. If you don't have a solid business network already in place it is very dificult. The key is to find a district manager that has enough business to "help you out" and will give you the orphan accounts instead of working them themselves. It seem to me that women tend to be more sucessful at aflac. On the flip side if you want some one fast at paying claims they will be your huckelberry.


As for the avitar slim look real closly it is a rose.