JSD8675
Expert
I started selling Medicare Advantage, Supplements, LTC, STC, Hips, Life and Annuities late last December.
I just wanted to remark on my progress throughout the year.
Finally, I can say, after a year, that It's starting to feel "easy." I still get really stressed out during dry periods, but the dry periods are less long, and when I get a wave of sales, the wave is getting larger. My first renewals are coming in now.
When I first started, I almost quit the first week, like 10 times. Every time I was ready to quit, I told myself "What else am I gonna do, really?" so I kept doing it. My first sales at this time were just dumb luck. I wasn't yet confident in what I said. The seniors knew more than I did. I think these people bought out of pity.
After a couple months, I started learning what products to offer to different people. It was still really slow, and I'd still write people things they wouldn't pass (healthwise,) I wrote people out of the enrollment period, gave wrong info. By this time, I really, really hated what I was doing.
After about 6 months, I was starting to get comfortable. I was quicker and smoother with my products - becoming confident. My answers were quicker and informative. I still didn't like what I was doing.
At about 9 months, I started to enrich my skills. I started to develop accurate intuition as to who would buy, who wouldn't. I was better at gauging interest. I learned that if somebody wasn't interested in a concept, and I clarified it, to move on to another product. If they weren't interested, to move on to the next lead. No wasting time. I also started learning to use more opportunities to extract sales... such as policy deliveries. I started passing out "retaining the need" papers to minimize on cancellations.. I started surveying additional leads in the family.. sister, etc. I also got to the point where I could look around their room and glance at their prescriptions, and almost instantly know what/what not to offer people.
Not until this point have I felt the least bit satisfied. The first year was pretty scary.. big rollercoaster of emotions, and nerves (I was poor the first year.) But now, it is finally feeling comfortable. I'm feeling satisfied. I don't waste time on people who aren't gonna buy, and I spend more time on people who appreciate and need my services. I'm better at matching up appropriate products for certain situations.
If you are starting out, I would tell you it's either 6 months or nothing. You're still confused and lost until a good 3 months. It really takes 6 months to even understand how to work leads, time manage, learn underwriting, become confident, and see all opportunities for sales.
The other thing I can say, is, humans are very adaptable. Just because you hate something the first day doesn't mean you hate it. The ugliest girl can grow into the best girlfriend, just as the prettiest girl can turn into a nightmare.
Good luck, and don't give up. It takes a LONG TIME!
I just wanted to remark on my progress throughout the year.
Finally, I can say, after a year, that It's starting to feel "easy." I still get really stressed out during dry periods, but the dry periods are less long, and when I get a wave of sales, the wave is getting larger. My first renewals are coming in now.
When I first started, I almost quit the first week, like 10 times. Every time I was ready to quit, I told myself "What else am I gonna do, really?" so I kept doing it. My first sales at this time were just dumb luck. I wasn't yet confident in what I said. The seniors knew more than I did. I think these people bought out of pity.
After a couple months, I started learning what products to offer to different people. It was still really slow, and I'd still write people things they wouldn't pass (healthwise,) I wrote people out of the enrollment period, gave wrong info. By this time, I really, really hated what I was doing.
After about 6 months, I was starting to get comfortable. I was quicker and smoother with my products - becoming confident. My answers were quicker and informative. I still didn't like what I was doing.
At about 9 months, I started to enrich my skills. I started to develop accurate intuition as to who would buy, who wouldn't. I was better at gauging interest. I learned that if somebody wasn't interested in a concept, and I clarified it, to move on to another product. If they weren't interested, to move on to the next lead. No wasting time. I also started learning to use more opportunities to extract sales... such as policy deliveries. I started passing out "retaining the need" papers to minimize on cancellations.. I started surveying additional leads in the family.. sister, etc. I also got to the point where I could look around their room and glance at their prescriptions, and almost instantly know what/what not to offer people.
Not until this point have I felt the least bit satisfied. The first year was pretty scary.. big rollercoaster of emotions, and nerves (I was poor the first year.) But now, it is finally feeling comfortable. I'm feeling satisfied. I don't waste time on people who aren't gonna buy, and I spend more time on people who appreciate and need my services. I'm better at matching up appropriate products for certain situations.
If you are starting out, I would tell you it's either 6 months or nothing. You're still confused and lost until a good 3 months. It really takes 6 months to even understand how to work leads, time manage, learn underwriting, become confident, and see all opportunities for sales.
The other thing I can say, is, humans are very adaptable. Just because you hate something the first day doesn't mean you hate it. The ugliest girl can grow into the best girlfriend, just as the prettiest girl can turn into a nightmare.
Good luck, and don't give up. It takes a LONG TIME!
