I am confused about this profession

[pfg1]

I think this is the big caveot in this business. Knowing who to align yourself with, and who not to. Many in this industry are great trainers and producers, many more are not - and/or have an agenda that unsuspecting newbies don't even know exists.

Most people are not good at cold calling/door knocking - especially initially. Doesn't mean they can't succeed.

To the OP... I'd try to find a local reputable company that you could go to work for that would train and teach you (hopefully OJT in person by someone that is successful) so you can learn the business and make some money. Once you really learn it, you can decide what real direction you want to go. Good luck.

 

[DHK]

How did everyone responding determine that this industry might not be a good fit for her? Give her a chance first before shovelling her into the discard pile.

There were two statements that stood out to me as to why it might not be a good fit for her.

but door knocking was not my thing. I just was not good at it, made no money.

That one was obvious. This one wasn't so obvious:

I just want a good honest company to work for.

That is a job mentality. Now, that's okay, but it doesn't work out for being a field agent. Perhaps in a call center or working for someone else for a salary, but not for an entrepreneurial endeavor.

In reality, we should have a vision of what we want, then we find the companies that can help us fulfill that vision and bring that message to the marketplace. That's why my first post was to ask what the OP had in mind when getting their licenses in the first place.

I am obviously biased, but I think my overview of the insurance industry within the Monopoly board model is pretty good. There's also a very good @Rearden video he made about new agent mistakes and treating it like a job, rather than a business (but I don't know which video it is - maybe he can post it?).

 

[Life Hawk]

I am confused about this profession

It's in the title... not much to be confused about... you are trying to sale to people who don't want to buy what they need for what they don't want to talk about. Now all you have to do is get them started talking about what they don't want to so you can get them to buy what they don't want to spend the money on.

It's just that easy.

 

[DHK]

It's only THE common denominator of success.

http://amnesta.net/mba/thecommondenominatorofsuccess-albertengray.pdf

 

[InsuranceGuy29]

I just got here not long ago, and from what I am reading about so many companies, charge backs, don't drink the kool aid, not sure where to go from here. I had such good intentions when I went to school and got my licence. P & C, Life, health and accident. So I thought I was going to be dealing with mostly legit people, but I read here that it is pretty difficult to find a reputable company to work with. I am too new to go out on my own, I really thought by reading the posts here that I would find my new career. I hope I can still find a good place to work, it must be out there or you all wouldn't be here! I am going to keep reading and learning. Enjoy the evening folks thanks for listening.

Being independent is not for the faint of heart. You REALLY need to know the business inside out, and have some very good connections at the insurance companies. It's hard enough running your own business, and then tack on having to know this industry inside and out, it's no wonder why 99% of agents fail. If you go independent, right away, and have no prior experience in the industry, you had better have some major family/friend connections of someone who has an agency.

People think they're just gonna get their insurance license and have their own small insurance business. It really doesn't work like that. The vast majority of uplines couldn't care less about you. They are mostly just throwing agents at the wall and seeing what sticks. It's a numbers/volume game. In that time, they will be happy to take 50-60% of your commission on the few sales you do make, and then the agent gives up, they keep "your" client, because that was in the fine print that you didn't read.......enter new agent. Lather, rinse, repeat.

As George Carlin would say......."It's a big club.....and you ain't in it." Connections are a major part of this business.

 

[Life Hawk]

Being independent is not for the faint of heart.

More for the heartless...

 

[Rena2020]

Thank you all for your comments, I genuinely appreciate it. I will update you all to tell you where I end up. I am determined to get a job that will be a good fit for me. Thank you for the support. And things to read, and watch.

 

[goillini52]

I am confused about this profession

It's in the title... not much to be confused about... you are trying to sale to people who don't want to buy what they need for what they don't want to talk about. Now all you have to do is get them started talking about what they don't want to so you can get them to buy what they don't want to spend the money on.

It's just that easy.

She's trying to sale to people, when she should be trying to sell to people. Problem solved.

 

[DayTimer]

am determined to get a job

Selling insurance isn’t a job, it’s an adventure!

 

[Life Hawk]

She's trying to sale to people, when she should be trying to sell to people. Problem solved.

I fear that all the well meaning correction on this issue that you have provided may be for naught. However; I appreciate your attempt.

That said, this poster appears to be of a timid sort and we all know how skinny children can become when this sort of quality appears.

Weather she sails or sales or sells, she needs to be able to knock. Funny thing, I think that particular skill set has come to mean only one thing... which it should by no means do so. Door knocking, in my minds eye is more than mere rapping of one's knuckles on the entrance of another's abode. I see it referring to one's ability to rouse a conversation with just about anyone in sight.

Just last evening while purchasing a far too expensive water filter for our refrigerator at Lowes, I began a short and direct conversation with the lady who was watching the self check out lane regarding her owning "life coverage". She replied she did not, to which I asked, "But do you think it is important?" Then handed her my card and asked her to give me a call if she would like to have a cup of coffee to discuss... I JUST KNOCKED ON HER DOOR, and I don't know where she lives.