Please Help!

[txgolfer]

Hello all. Two years ago when a gentleman came into the retail store I was working in, said I was a good salesman, told me to take the test and sell insurance, I didn't think it would be so difficult to figure out where to go from there. Here is my situation in very brief detail.

Cliffs:
-I'm a 22yo BROKE BROKE BROKE college student.
-Slightly in debt to some student loans
-Hold a Life,Health, & Annuity License in the state of Tx

Here is my problem and PLEASE PLEASE don't think I'm some conceded dirt bag for what I'm about to say. I believe that the past couple of agents I've talked to about jobs understands that I'm very good with people, have slightly above average social skills and young and energetic compared to themselves and to other agents. THEREFORE, I believe that everyone has tried to confuse and lead me in crazy directions.

So basically, I need help on where to start. Currently I've arranged and have been 'hired' by Sterling Health Plans as of Monday the 14th. But what should I do?

Stay with them? Try to go Independent and if so How? Is there any sort of program for new agents about becoming an independent agent? Any schools or workshops or even hotlines? Any mentorship programs to join?

I'm desperate as you can see lol. Please any help would be appreciated and I'm sorry the post is so long...........(again very frustrated and perhaps just needing to vent lol )

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

I can help in the individual health field BUT you claim you're broke so here's the scoop:

*2 weeks to a month to get carrier appointments
*2 more weeks of cold calling before you'd submit a case
*2 to 3 weeks before you'd get paid

So if you decided to go independent with health insurance it would take around 6 weeks to get your first check.

You'd have to cold-call at least 3 hours a day, every day - either go business to business or telemarket. Have you ever successfully cold-called before?

 

[txgolfer]

No sir I have not cold called before nor have I been trained. If you help me or anyone else who wants to help (again greatly appreciated) other than actually HAVING my license, I know absolutely nothing about the TRUE (again I've heard certain field managers take on the matter lol) business as far as the inner workings go. I know only objective life and health material.

 

[VaDwayne]

No sir I have not cold called before nor have I been trained. If you help me or anyone else who wants to help (again greatly appreciated) other than actually HAVING my license, I know absolutely nothing about the TRUE (again I've heard certain field managers take on the matter lol) business as far as the inner workings go. I know only objective life and health material.

I will be glad to help, NO OBLIGATION!! I would love to share with you the mistakes I have made since starting this business and answer any questions that I can help you with.You don't have to sign or buy anything. I do have a post trying to get donations for charities in exchange for time, but since you are up against it financially, don't worry about that. Give me a call at 540-241-1702. I am licensed in Texas. You will find on this forum that most agents equate time in the business as knowledge, but that's just not the case.I have invested a lot of time in my career to be the most knowledgeable agent I can possibly be, and I will be glad to pay it forward.

I have an appointment at 11 this morning, it is 2 med supps so it will take an 1 1/2 hours or so, and taking my wife to the movies for 3 to 6, but you can call me anytime after these times.

540-241-1702

 

[somarco]

The vulture has arrived . . .

 

[STIBROKER]

As much as I hate to I am going to recommend signing up with American Health Underwriters ......you can sell BCBS which is one of the best rates on the market now.....they will advance on submit to take care of the cash flow problem and provide leads.....its a good place to start until you get on your feet.....

Hello all. Two years ago when a gentleman came into the retail store I was working in, said I was a good salesman, told me to take the test and sell insurance, I didn't think it would be so difficult to figure out where to go from there. Here is my situation in very brief detail.

Cliffs:
-I'm a 22yo BROKE BROKE BROKE college student.
-Slightly in debt to some student loans
-Hold a Life,Health, & Annuity License in the state of Tx

Here is my problem and PLEASE PLEASE don't think I'm some conceded dirt bag for what I'm about to say. I believe that the past couple of agents I've talked to about jobs understands that I'm very good with people, have slightly above average social skills and young and energetic compared to themselves and to other agents. THEREFORE, I believe that everyone has tried to confuse and lead me in crazy directions.

So basically, I need help on where to start. Currently I've arranged and have been 'hired' by Sterling Health Plans as of Monday the 14th. But what should I do?

Stay with them? Try to go Independent and if so How? Is there any sort of program for new agents about becoming an independent agent? Any schools or workshops or even hotlines? Any mentorship programs to join?

I'm desperate as you can see lol. Please any help would be appreciated and I'm sorry the post is so long...........(again very frustrated and perhaps just needing to vent lol )

 

[steveadlman]

Why do you think you could be successful as an insurance agent? Success in Retail sales does not mean you will be successful in the insurance field. In retail your prospects come to you with insurance you have to find people to talk to and spend a lot of time prospecting. In retail sales you are not paid straight commission but with insurance that is the way you get paid. If you don't sell you will not receive a paycheck. Can you afford to work 40 hours in a week and not get paid? That can easily happen in the insurance field. I am not saying selling insurance is wrong for you but considering your present financial situation and total lack of experience it may be the wrong time to enter the insurance field. I would not seek advice from Dwayne Armstrong because he has been selling insurance less than a year and he extends his offer to help you only because he wants to feed his ego.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The vulture has arrived . . .

I agree 100% with your comment.

 

[cursedbyapollo]

Hello all. Two years ago when a gentleman came into the retail store I was working in, said I was a good salesman, told me to take the test and sell insurance, I didn't think it would be so difficult to figure out where to go from there. Here is my situation in very brief detail.

Cliffs:
-I'm a 22yo BROKE BROKE BROKE college student.
-Slightly in debt to some student loans
-Hold a Life,Health, & Annuity License in the state of Tx

Here is my problem and PLEASE PLEASE don't think I'm some conceded dirt bag for what I'm about to say. I believe that the past couple of agents I've talked to about jobs understands that I'm very good with people, have slightly above average social skills and young and energetic compared to themselves and to other agents. THEREFORE, I believe that everyone has tried to confuse and lead me in crazy directions.

So basically, I need help on where to start. Currently I've arranged and have been 'hired' by Sterling Health Plans as of Monday the 14th. But what should I do?

Stay with them? Try to go Independent and if so How? Is there any sort of program for new agents about becoming an independent agent? Any schools or workshops or even hotlines? Any mentorship programs to join?

I'm desperate as you can see lol. Please any help would be appreciated and I'm sorry the post is so long...........(again very frustrated and perhaps just needing to vent lol )

Check stats on income for insurance agents:
w w w dot payscale dot com.

Google job satisfaction of insurance agents. (some older studies).

If these worry you then think of insurance agent jobs as a stepping stone to become a financial planner or certified financial planner (CFP). You don't have to have the CFP letters after your name to do this but check salaries and job satisfaction for CFP's:

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March 21, 2007 (SmartPros) -- Certified financial planner earnings are higher and job satisfaction remains solid, according to The College for Financial Planning's 2007 Survey of Trends in the Financial Planning Industry.
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Survey respondents reported mean gross earnings of $283,079 in 2006, compared to the $232,995 reported in last year's survey. Longevity in the profession was a factor in reported earnings, as those professionals with five to nine years of experience reported earning an average of $111,730, while those with 30-plus years of experience averaged $476,464 in earnings.

Professional designations also moved income levels upward, and rapidly. As an example, those holding the College for Financial Planning asset management designation, Accredited Asset Management Specialist, reported increases in earnings from 18 percent to 29 percent, with an annual income of $109,000-188,000. Those holding the retirement counseling designation, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor, reported earnings increases of 12 to 15 percent, and annual incomes greater than $140,000.

Financial planners surveyed were likely to hold more than one license or designation, in addition to the CFP certification. Life and Health licenses, NASD, RIA, and CPA were among the most widely held designations reported on the Survey. Financial planners are also well educated, with 89 percent holding bachelor's degrees, and 42 percent with graduate degrees.
The survey found that the typical client of financial planners is a two-income couple, 50 to 59 years old, with gross income of $100,000 to 149,999, discretionary income of $10,000 to 20,000, and a net worth of $1 million to 1.5 million. Clients were considered most knowledgeable about basic budgeting and financial goal setting, and least knowledgeable about estate planning. Clients were most concerned about health care costs, and least concerned about losing their jobs.

The survey found a cause of concern for planners and their clients in questions about retirement expectations. Fully 88 percent of clients expect to be able to maintain their current standard of living in retirement, while only 70 percent of financial planners expect clients to be able to maintain current living standards.
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BTW, you'll may want to work for someone to learn what's needed and 3 years of work experience is required for a CFP as well as an undergrad degree. Also, it's been suggested that you start in the industry, say selling insurance, and see if you can sell yourself and your services. If in 3 years you can build enough business and a sustainable client base to have a viable career then you could look at getting the designation. Again it's not required but it's better to have it.

 

[Frank Stastny]

I'm desperate as you can see lol. Please any help would be appreciated and I'm sorry the post is so long...........(again very frustrated and perhaps just needing to vent lol )

If you are interested give me a call. I'm confident we can work something out. Look down for my number.

 

[YouGotMyMoney]

As much as I hate to I am going to recommend signing up with American Health Underwriters ......you can sell BCBS which is one of the best rates on the market now.

Doesn't Bcbstx have a $3 or $5k max on RX on all of their plans?