New Agency Marketing

[AZDave]

Were you able to retain your phone number? Hope so.

When I went from captive to indy, I was able to write anyone who contacted me.

If your situation is similar, maybe consider this, and I'm sure your attorney will not agree: spend some $ on a nice agency post card. Send to all ex insureds, stating the fact that you are no longer able to service their insurance policy because you are now independent, and that they should direct all their service calls to (the home office phone number), and thank them for their past business and relationship.

Good Luck! you made the right decision.

Dave

 

[robtmccarthy]

Thanks for the advice guys. Yes to store front but its in a 11 story building. I didn't really think any of that would help but I figured I would throw it out and see what people had to say. As far as the non-compete I hired the best I could find in my city, he writes them for all the car manufactures in the state along with AT&T and a few other big names. He's not worried about him winning if it comes down to it he just knows I wouldn't survive a long draw out suit. Also as far as the former COI's he said to try and bump into them and not call. I guess I will have to start getting out of the house again.

I do appreciate all the advice and keep it coming. I guess I got complacent and need to hit the ground again.

My two cents, spend that money on a decent website. Then do some targeted facebook ads in your local area to get the word out. As annoying as they are, they are cheap. Not to mention who's not on facebook? all your old clients see your smiling face with a new phone number

 

[jwnewell001]

I do have my old number. My business cards always had my cell and office and as annoying as it was sometimes they seemed to not realize I had a office phone... The ones I have moved called my cell asking for help with a problem or they called after my old boss called to let them know I no longer worked there and to direct calls to the office. Most of my customers have become friends. My wife and I are invited to birthday parts and so on. I'm also lucky to have been born in raised in the city I work and know a lot of my customers are school friends and parents who watched me grow up.

I'll look into the Facebook idea and give it a try. I'm also going to join few associations here and see how that goes. As far as sending cards to old customers I think my attorney would be super happy with idea knowing his pocket would get a little heavier. He advised me not to do anything to crazy for the fact that anyone can sue anyone and no matter what it will cost money to defend and we would rather not get into that.

 

[TNagent82]

I wouldn't send the cards. I know a guy that did it right before he left a captive company. I think he ultimately got away with it but I think staying off the lawsuit radar is a good idea.

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My two cents, spend that money on a decent website. Then do some targeted facebook ads in your local area to get the word out. As annoying as they are, they are cheap. Not to mention who's not on facebook? all your old clients see your smiling face with a new phone number

I've been looking into Facebook targeting. Do you do target commercial or personal?

 

[todd02]

First off your using Passive marketing tactics. The insurance business is far to competitive for you to think people will be ringing your phone unless your spending a lot in marketing asking for their business. Not name recognition campaigns. You need to focus on "asking" people, as many as possible, for their business. Active marketing not passive. So many agents fail because they sit and wait for things to happen.

 

[insurance1822]

^ That's one thing I'll agree with Todd02. And from my captive years the people who are responding to mass marketing (aka calling into Allstate..) are the bum idiots.

 

[1manshow]

Here's a facebook page for an agency I just opened six months ago. Testimonials kill it....thank God my competitors are just too lazy to copy our strategies.

Best of luck

 

[Cash]

Here's a facebook page for an agency I just opened six months ago. Testimonials kill it....thank God my competitors are just too lazy to copy our strategies.

Best of luck

That's pretty cool.

Do you put that sign out on a sidewalk?

 

[dean8287]

First off your using Passive marketing tactics. The insurance business is far to competitive for you to think people will be ringing your phone unless your spending a lot in marketing asking for their business. Not name recognition campaigns. You need to focus on "asking" people, as many as possible, for their business. Active marketing not passive. So many agents fail because they sit and wait for things to happen.

This is 100% correct. Pick up the phone and cold call. It's free and the best way to talk to a lot of commercial clients. Do not go door to door when prospecting business insurance.

 

[cgreene]

My budget was way too high. I was paying for realtor sales meetings. Instead now I take one lender to lunch each week and attend agent open houses which are free.

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It's all about getting people to quote. Focus on quote generating events like PTA meetings, home buyer seminars, and festivals. These things usually aren't expensive.