New member; new agent

[MSB690916]

Greetings,

My wife and I have decided to chart our own course as independent life insurance agents. She recently became a licensed life insurance producer in Oregon, and I will be following suit shortly We're excited by the opportunities, yet we know that we have our work cut out for us To make our journey as smooth as possible we're joining forums like this and looking for professional organizations to join.

As we begin this new chapter in our lives, we're curious about where you started. To spark disussion, would you consider answering any or all of the following questions?

Why did you become an agent, and has it been rewarding?

What is one thing you know now that you wish you'd known in your first year?

What professional organizations do you recommend we join?

I appreciate your time and consideration. I look forward to virtually meeting you as opportunities present themselves.

Kindest regards,
Michael

 

[marindependent]

Welcome! Id suggest you start by reading reams of posts on this forum and skimming through many of the jokes to get to the meat and potatoes.

I became an agent because I wanted to work for myself and because I saw a real need for intelligent agency services.

Best of Luck!

 

[DHK]

Greetings,

My wife and I have decided to chart our own course as independent life insurance agents. She recently became a licensed life insurance producer in Oregon, and I will be following suit shortly We're excited by the opportunities, yet we know that we have our work cut out for us To make our journey as smooth as possible we're joining forums like this and looking for professional organizations to join.

Welcome!

As we begin this new chapter in our lives, we're curious about where you started. To spark disussion, would you consider answering any or all of the following questions?

Why did you become an agent, and has it been rewarding?

Initially, I was a banker and wanted to become a financial advisor. Got those licenses, but I didn't understand why people would (should) buy cash value life insurance. I went to a traditional mutual insurance agency... and didn't really learn it. Took a long time, but now I know why people should buy this product.

What is one thing you know now that you wish you'd known in your first year?

I wish I had a strong message that was more important to share... than any insecurities I may have felt within myself. I now ask myself: "Who needs to hear my message?" rather than "Who will let me be their financial consultant?" or "Who do I know that would listen to me and take my advice?" That's too self-centered. If I had a strong message... who needs to hear it?

Btw, if you ever think about a "project 200" (friends and family), then focus on the message, not the idea that "I need practice" or "I hope you can help me" garbage.

Also, this thread is almost 10 years old, but I continuously update it. You'll find some good gems in it: https://insurance-forums.com/community/threads/guidance-for-new-life-agents.29999/

What professional organizations do you recommend we join?

You may want to join NAIFA and you may want to join the IARFC as a new RFA member.
www.naifa.org
www.iarfc.org

(I'll tag @HARVEY BAILEY as he is the CEO of the IARFC.)

I appreciate your time and consideration. I look forward to virtually meeting you as opportunities present themselves.

Kindest regards,
Michael

There's LOTS to learn... and you'll never be done learning.