Now What Do I Do?

[Mark]

I'm sorry but there's a difference between negativity and truth especially when that truth can help save him from financial ruin.

The truth in this case if if you don't have $95 to your name your odds of getting off the ground are near zero. I'd sit this one out, get a regular job and come back to insurance at a later time.

Any agent on here know if you can't come up with $95 to invest in your business, then you are not going to make it in this business.

There is a reason why over 50% of new agents will not make it 13 months. Not having any money to invest is a big part of it.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

The other part of this equation is from the time he passes his exam to the time he receives his appointments, writes a deal, gets it approved and paid is around 2 months.

 

[stormtracker]

The other part of this equation is from the time he passes his exam to the time he receives his appointments, writes a deal, gets it approved and paid is around 2 months.

Unless he goes captive...

 

[jmhopkins40]

Interesting - with 131 posts can you please link me to any of your posts where you've given detailed information?

As I said....nothing but sacasm...But yea. Read some and you will see a detailed process explained concerning alternate study habits for passing the Lic. test....many people test differently under the clock, even when they are prepared for the test.

I guess I could have just said "STUDY MORE" but others have provided that before and I thought he would want something a bit different.

Concentrate on the positive...the glass is half full!

You can't be such a sarcastic, egotistical A** on this forum and be another person when dealing with the public. Which one is faking?

 

[amandagirl]

I'm sorry but there's a difference between negativity and truth especially when that truth can help save him from financial ruin.

The truth in this case if if you don't have $95 to your name your odds of getting off the ground are near zero. I'd sit this one out, get a regular job and come back to insurance at a later time.

I finished my MBA and for some reason took my first job with a large insurance firm. There were no dumb or stupid questions ever...... Even when we thought it was, we would never amuse ourselves by humiliating someone.

I am new to this site and have been both captive an independent for the past 10 years. I was referred to this site as another way to increase knowledge and assist others.

QUITE FRANKLY I have been appalled at the responses of a "Select" group of posters. It is neither clever or appealing to be a jerk.

Based on posts from AL, greensky, healthagent and about 2 others, I would never post a question specifically for you as your lack of judgement and bad attitude consistently cloud your experience.

If you have all the experience you claim, SHAME on you for not being a role model as a leader and a professional.

I sent an earlier post "for a new agent" because she had not set up her account....It was so embarrassing today when she actually reviewed this site with me at lunch.

You can imagine my surprize when she said she wanted to look over the site later for a laugh. THAT IS THE LEGACY that some of you have built. GREAT JOB!!!

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

Amanda, everyone is entitled to their opinion. My opinion based on experience is that anyone entering the insurance field with $100 to their name has around a .01% chance of success.

If they wish to chug on after that advice that's fine. It's just advice after all. It's certainly much better advice then someone else telling them how "easy" this business is and how "rich" they'll get.

I got into this field with a captive company egging on new agents, always telling them their riches were just around the corner and don't worry about coming in broke. Then I also got to sit around and watch these agents miss car and mortgage payments because they were never told the truth about what it takes to get off the ground.

They were all given misleading advice about how easy it is to get off the ground just by hitting up friends, family and people you haven't spoken to since the 8th grade. By the time they figured out they actually need a marketing plan it was too late.

 

[jmhopkins40]

Amanda, everyone is entitled to their opinion. My opinion based on experience is that anyone entering the insurance field with $100 to their name has around a .01% chance of success.

If they wish to chug on after that advice that's fine. It's just advice after all. It's certainly much better advice then someone else telling them how "easy" this business is and how "rich" they'll get.

I got into this field with a captive company egging on new agents, always telling them their riches were just around the corner and don't worry about coming in broke. Then I also got to sit around and watch these agents miss car and mortgage payments because they were never told the truth about what it takes to get off the ground.

They were all given misleading advice about how easy it is to get off the ground just by hitting up friends, family and people you haven't spoken to since the 8th grade. By the time they figured out they actually need a marketing plan it was too late.

Nothings easy...and you made your point very well. Do recommed most new agents with little funds go captive vs. independant?

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

Agents can indeed get off the ground with little to no funds, as long as they know what's required.

Most appointments, captive or indie take a few weeks. After that you need to turn in a case, get it approved and paid. Best case scenario is 6 weeks.

I'm a huge fan of being independent but that's not taking away anything from captive outfits. Companies like Monumental will give them a small book and stipend which isn't bad. They can also try to find work at a local agency for a salary/draw type of arrangement although those deals are hard to find. Those are also typically "there's the phone, you know how to use it" positions.

There's also no free lunch since agencies taking on agents with a base salary want to know what they can bring to the table, run background and credit checks. It's a catch-22 for those agents; they are broke so they need the salary but it's because they are broke that they don't get hired.

If you have "NO" money you'll have to find a captive outfit offering a small book or salary. If they want to go indie, fine, it's 3 to 4 hours of either BtoB or telemarketing per day, every day.

But for agents who are WILLING to go BtoB or telemarket with some kind of past successful experience cold calling it is indeed a way to get off the ground with limited funds.

How many agents are willing to hit the streets or telemarket? I'm sure you know the answer.

 

[OklahomaHoss]

Home Service is an old division of insurance that collects premiums at the customer's home, or place of business. Products are usually final expense. This is typically referred to as debits. I got started this way.

That sounds like exactly my cup of tea. When I sold for Humana, I was a field rep. Visiting prospective members and pitching to them and then enrolling them was what I did. Seems that this would be very much the same thing. Although I am 6'6" and 365lbs, I have a really gentle and reassuring demeanor when it comes to work. I'd like to give it shot.

Who would I contact? Anyone know the name of a company (or better yet, a person) that I could contact about getting started?

Thanks again.
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sorry you get so many negitive responses, I also look for help and advice on this forum and it is sad that they feel they have to give such negitive advice, maybe they are having a bad day or life.... hang in there.... Money is tight for all of us.

Thanks very much, I will.
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I'm sorry it hasn't gone well. And while I'm not looking to add to your problems, my best guess is that the course you are now blocked out of not only prepares you to take the exam but completing that course (or one similarly authorized by your state) is a pre-requisite of your authorization to take the state exam.

I could be wrong but that is how it has worked in the two states I've lived in and held licenses.

If it were me, I'd call the online course firm and see if they have any way to accomodate you. Good luck.

I hadn't thought of that. Thanks for the good idea.

And thank you again for those of you who aren't bashing me for asking for help. I will hang in there.
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Any agent on here know if you can't come up with $95 to invest in your business, then you are not going to make it in this business.

There is a reason why over 50% of new agents will not make it 13 months. Not having any money to invest is a big part of it.

Looking at these posts, I think that I was "captive, so as you can see I didn't have to invest anything. This is what I'm looking to do again, if I can.

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The other part of this equation is from the time he passes his exam to the time he receives his appointments, writes a deal, gets it approved and paid is around 2 months.

Im prepared for that. My fiancee also works, so "financial ruin" isn't on the horizon, thankfully.
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I finished my MBA and for some reason took my first job with a large insurance firm. There were no dumb or stupid questions ever...... Even when we thought it was, we would never amuse ourselves by humiliating someone.

I am new to this site and have been both captive an independent for the past 10 years. I was referred to this site as another way to increase knowledge and assist others.

QUITE FRANKLY I have been appalled at the responses of a "Select" group of posters. It is neither clever or appealing to be a jerk.

Based on posts from AL, greensky, healthagent and about 2 others, I would never post a question specifically for you as your lack of judgement and bad attitude consistently cloud your experience.

If you have all the experience you claim, SHAME on you for not being a role model as a leader and a professional.

I sent an earlier post "for a new agent" because she had not set up her account....It was so embarrassing today when she actually reviewed this site with me at lunch.

You can imagine my surprize when she said she wanted to look over the site later for a laugh. THAT IS THE LEGACY that some of you have built. GREAT JOB!!!

Now that I think of it, perhaps "captive" is what I was with Humana? They would show commercials, intersted parties would call in, and the inside sales agents would set up the appointments that we field agents would go and close.

Is that "captive"?

 

[VaDwayne]

I finished my MBA and for some reason took my first job with a large insurance firm. There were no dumb or stupid questions ever...... Even when we thought it was, we would never amuse ourselves by humiliating someone.

I am new to this site and have been both captive an independent for the past 10 years. I was referred to this site as another way to increase knowledge and assist others.

QUITE FRANKLY I have been appalled at the responses of a "Select" group of posters. It is neither clever or appealing to be a jerk.

Based on posts from AL, greensky, healthagent and about 2 others, I would never post a question specifically for you as your lack of judgement and bad attitude consistently cloud your experience.

If you have all the experience you claim, SHAME on you for not being a role model as a leader and a professional.

I sent an earlier post "for a new agent" because she had not set up her account....It was so embarrassing today when she actually reviewed this site with me at lunch.

You can imagine my surprize when she said she wanted to look over the site later for a laugh. THAT IS THE LEGACY that some of you have built. GREAT JOB!!!

Stick around enough and you will learn who the Jack***** are and who will help you. There are 10,000 people on this forum and that is about the same number in my hometown, and I can guarantee there are a bunch of buttholes in this community, but also some very nice people.

We are in a competitive business and our competition is not going to easily give up their secrets. Would one football team give their playbook to the opposing team?

By the way, MarkingGriffin is one of the people on this site that will help anybody, so you are way off base on this guy. He happens to be right; I am a short timer and it is very tough to do without having money to invest. I was cold calling for almost 10 hours yesterday to get 3 appointments. Are you willing to do that? I have to right now because it financially makes sense and that is a price you pay. If you don't have the extra money AND you are not willing to work 60 good hours, this is not the occupation for you.