Newbie agent here

[Laurent]

Thanks again to everyone who contribute to the answer to my question. I was told by the Sales Manager to expect to work between 50-60hrs per week to get started in this business. He also mention that the hard work will pay off down the road. That is pretty much what everyone here is saying as well. My list grew to 10 since I last posted. I am having my friends, co-workers and neighbors to come up with ten names/addresses/emails/phone numbers each to come up with my project 200 with a promise I will not try to sell them insurance. Only kidding!This is the easier way for me to obtain 200 names. The Sales Manager mention that maybe 20-30 of my project 200 actually will be appointments.

Once again thanx everyone!

 

[James]

What I would suggest, if you can stay away from buying leads! While some are succesful with it I would think the idea of buying leads or cold calling for the rest of your life isn't in MHO a good outlook! Yet if you can position yourself (while cold calling and B2B) as everyones "Insurance Agent". According to this study which I have no doubt about, http://www.flexfs.com/pdf/LIMRA-factsaboutlife2005complete (2).pdf a vast portion of people don't have a insurance agent. So you might as well tell them that you are in fact their private Insurance Agent! Sometimes you just have to take the lead and be a leader!

 

[bcbroker]

Project 200?

It was Project 100 when I got started in 1985.

I told my manager that I didn't know very many people and that I felt uncomfortable contacting family and friends. I worked the phones for hours a day and turned into a pretty good telephone prospector. I had a very good first year. I think the only person I sold to my first year, that I had known prior to coming into the business, was myself.

A lot of agents have gotten a fast start by contacting friends and family. However...

YOU NEED TO FIND A SUSTAINABLE PROSPECTING METHOD TO LAST IN THIS BUSINESS.

Call your friends or family or don't call your friends or family. Either way, if you want to stay in the business long-term you have to generate a steady stream of new prospects.

If I were starting over and I had a Project 200, I think I would contact them in my second year. By then I would be polished enough to get referrals based on my abilities and not based solely on my previous connection with the referer.

It was 75 in 1977

 

[arnguy]

It was 75 in 1977

Phew, for a minute there I thought you said that you were 75 in 1977!

 

[Mr. Bill]

You only need 25 names for World Financial Group - HA!

Okay, so for anyone who doesn't think that was a joke - it is a joke (sad but true)! Once you've gone through your 25 friends and family, you start recruiting!!!