Anyone out there (in Michigan preferrably) running your agency successfully from home? I am running out of carriers & cant seem to compete against AAA, State Farm, or any carrier who does not look at credit rating too much & getting tired of keeping an office. Im just nervous about losing too many clients. It is already a bad start to the year with losing them, even at mid term, but Id like to hear from anyon who is doing this remotely & what are some key things to do in order to keep your current clients happy while gaining new ones. Thank you!
Remote Office Success?
- Thread starter Sanj
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PrivClientSG
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I can't speak to the specific hurdles you're encountering, and I am not in Michigan, but I can speak to being remote. I decided to build the capabilities of a remote practice and operation in 2015. I kept my office, and still do, but I was working remotely during the winter and summer. Having the physical office does help, but depending on your business, marketplace, clientele, and other factors, I for one think a remote practice can work. Good luck!
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- #3
PrivClientSG
Guru
- 394
I am in NJ. I spend a good portion of the winter in FL and the summer between Saratoga Springs, NY and the NJ Shore. I was "remote" during the winter and summer for almost 20 years. I made the move in 2015 as I saw myself becoming a FL resident in the next 10 to 15 years. Thus, when the pandemic started and my office shut down, I was up and running in a moment.
For many years, almost 95% of my client meetings take place in my office. I had a lot of "head trash" about clients wanting to see me face-to-face, in my office, etc. Especially since I am in the HNW marketplace. I do not have a volume-based practice. I only write about 20 lives a year, at most! LOL. So, while I kept my office, I downsized the actual office(s), but kept the conference rooms. Clients don't know how big or small my office is. Believe me, things are perceived as they are portrayed. Make the shift, train the clients, set the tone, be presumptuous about your own operation and how it runs, and clients will see it. I used to say I couldn't close a big six-digit life premium case over the web. The reason I couldn't is because I said it. It was a preconceived reality. Until I had to and I did it. Last year I close every case over the web except for two and that was simply circumstance. One was in FL and I was meeting with the guy down there, face-to-face, and the other was his daughter who lives in my hometown. LOL.
Build your model. Do the work. It works if you work it!
For many years, almost 95% of my client meetings take place in my office. I had a lot of "head trash" about clients wanting to see me face-to-face, in my office, etc. Especially since I am in the HNW marketplace. I do not have a volume-based practice. I only write about 20 lives a year, at most! LOL. So, while I kept my office, I downsized the actual office(s), but kept the conference rooms. Clients don't know how big or small my office is. Believe me, things are perceived as they are portrayed. Make the shift, train the clients, set the tone, be presumptuous about your own operation and how it runs, and clients will see it. I used to say I couldn't close a big six-digit life premium case over the web. The reason I couldn't is because I said it. It was a preconceived reality. Until I had to and I did it. Last year I close every case over the web except for two and that was simply circumstance. One was in FL and I was meeting with the guy down there, face-to-face, and the other was his daughter who lives in my hometown. LOL.
Build your model. Do the work. It works if you work it!
- Thread starter
- #5
- 2,508
I have been WFH for 20 years, and haven't looked back. Not in MI.
Because of Esignature, Electronic Data Storage, VOIP, Email, Video Calls, Internet Mareketing, and mosty because almost no one wants to meet in person - I see no need for an office or the cost of one.
Caution, some carriers require a physical office space and some agencies claim their office space is a source of marketing. For carriers some folks use daily rental office, that also collecs their mail and give them a legit business address.
If you want more info/ guidance - just pm me.
Because of Esignature, Electronic Data Storage, VOIP, Email, Video Calls, Internet Mareketing, and mosty because almost no one wants to meet in person - I see no need for an office or the cost of one.
Caution, some carriers require a physical office space and some agencies claim their office space is a source of marketing. For carriers some folks use daily rental office, that also collecs their mail and give them a legit business address.
If you want more info/ guidance - just pm me.
- Thread starter
- #7
Thank you! Yes Im hoping to get to 100% remote in the next 2 years. I started last year only having in person office hours Mon - Wed & I wfh Thur & Fri. People still try to see me on my wfh days or they say Oh I forgot you dont work on thodse days, etc. I have a lot of older clients no email etc & they are the ones who opt out of our lovely MI PIP. So Im trying but I think I need to try a bit harder.
- 791
Since 2018 I have used Regus as my office, working out of home 100%. Majority of my book is commercial and I have not missed the brick and mortor settup.
Regus gives you a solid street address to satisfy the carriers that want to see an office. My main problem in settting this up was with LexisNexis, a real PIA but worked thru it.
I wish you the best.
Regus gives you a solid street address to satisfy the carriers that want to see an office. My main problem in settting this up was with LexisNexis, a real PIA but worked thru it.
I wish you the best.
- Thread starter
- #9
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