Midyear-2008 Lead Company Update

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

"I recently tried a source, called just over 30 leads - not a single one picked up the phone. Finally, over the course of the next few days I got a hold of 3...all of whom told them they were simply slammed with agents calling non-stop.

Also came to find the leads did not come in real time."

John...I'm almost afraid to ask...but do you care to reveal what company that was?

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

Neither here nor there - most are criminals and there's only few good ones left in the biz.

Buy 'em in high volume - feed them into leadpod and call it a life. To manually dial these leads and pull numbers out of it is like Chinese water torture.

 

[dmiller90]

I think the the lead companies need to understand is we really don't care what a lead costs - only what a lead returns PLUS the headache. Well...let me re-state - broke agents care about the per-lead cost.

I'd like to know the stats on how long broke agents stick with any lead source. Great - so don't target broke agents.

The "headache" factor counts. Do I want to sort through 40 leads at $3 per lead to find a deal? That's great ROI....right? $120 to return $700?

Yet it's not sustainable mentally to call and manage hundreds of leads per week.

I'll take a higher lead price any day for quality.

Higher Lead Price, does not convert any better with the Wrong Vendors, I have not heard any good reports from Benepath, Prospect Zone, Leadco or any of these sources, Better yet, How about Prospect Zones Live Leads??? just another program I doubt last very long.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

If you want to hear fantastic reports on Benepath then PM me - many agents doing extremely well with them. Referral on PZ Live Transfers? PM me - have agents closing 1 out of 3. You may hear from a few agents - I'm hearing from hundreds.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

I don't think this is true at all. When you were telemarketing small business owners, not a single one of them was out looking for new coverage. However in every 100 people, there are always going to be some in whom interest can be GENERATED and that doesn't make them bad leads. In fact, you know that your best clients came from those telemarketing campaigns.

On the other side, don't you think that some people who are searching for health insurance are not actually looking to get a new policy right now but may just be seeking info, and the search generated ad prompts them to think about shopping?

True - but that's a LOT of work to land deals. How many agents do you think can telemarket successfully? Also, it's obviously disclosure. The agent working that method understands it's interruptive.

If we're going to have disclosure - let the lead companies make public the ads affiliates use to generate traffic.

Agents also don't like being lied to. Certain lead companies are promoting "search driven" while their affiliates are generating leads through email spam.

Is email spam bad? If it's not - then disclose that when signing up new agents instead of lying.

You think if I'm spending $8 a lead I deserve to know if a method used is "guaranteed health insurance starting at $49 a month?" I deserve to know that.

By the way - this is not a HTQ post.

 

[TXINSURANCE]

What is relevant is your ROI as John has stated many times. If you went to Vegas and put $100 in a slot machine would you cash out at $5000 or keep playing?

It seems most agents expectations on ROI is pretty high, there are not a lot of industries where you can get 3 to 10X ROI consistently.

ROI is a byproduct of two things - lead quality and agent skill level. Agent skill level is the bigger of the two variables.

If you have a good ROI on HTQ, PZ or anyone else - use them, why not. Any ROI in todays crummy market is good. I encourage agents to try to view this from 10,000 feet and not get hung up on a single bad lead or a small sampling of leads.

ROI measuring takes more than 5 leads and a week. John will likely concur.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

As posted many times over the years: if it works for you - stick with it.

 

[dmiller90]

As far as Hometown leads goes, I have not bought leads in about a year, but when I was buying leads, the leads I got from HTQ were excellent. More importantly, I thought that Hunter and his group were quality and honest people. I still think so.

Really? Did not know this was a Hometown Quotes Post?

But I am sure they appreciate your Plug!!

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

Joe's right - agent talent is the real key. However, agent talent becomes moot if only 2 people answer per 20 leads.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

One of the largest factors is simply how many times the lead is sold. Although some people will hit multiple lead sites, most won't and it matters.

When prospects are receiving too many calls they become frustrated. Most simply stop answering the phone. They also receive to many conflicting recommendations.

I do not see any reason why more than 3 or possibly 4 total agents need to call the same client.

There has been a lot of talk about how there's no such thing as an exclusive lead. I am not seeing that with many of my members who are doing much better using exclusive sources than shared.

This could, however, simply be a psychological advantage. If it is, then fine - run with it.