Selling from a Mall Kiosk

[Insurance_Newb]

Wasn't sure whether this belongs in the cold calling forum or here, but here it goes:

I'm a brand new agent selling primarily life products and I'll be at a kiosk in the mall, but can't decide the best way to attract people. I know I'll have to be proactive, but should I be asking well dressed women if they'll be able to afford that coach purse if her husband dies later tonight?

Thanks for any tips!

 

[bluemarlin08]

I would ask all adults that walk by if they think they are paying too much for insurance. I would say, for example how much do you pay for your term life? Then I would have a cheat sheet that had the monthly term rates for 10 year, 250,000 policy. You want to get them to talk. Where I live, I wouldn't shop in a mall, many of been taken over by thugs and gangsta wannabees.

 

[djs]

Who is your target market?
Why are they at the mall?
Appeal to that.

No, your target isn't everyone walking through the mall. The better you define who you want to attract at the mall, the better chance you'll have of finding a strategy to attract the right people.

For instance: Want to get a lot of people to fill out an interest card? Give away an iPad (probably not allowed per mall rules though). You'll have every broke student filling out entry forms for next hours giveaway.

Now, if I'm your target market (middle age, upper middle income, married, grandkids, etc), good luck. I'll be in the mall on December 24th after 1:00pm. You'll recognize me. I'm the one trying to find something left on the shelf for Christmas presents. Till then, I avoid the mall.

Dan

 

[VolAgent]

I just don't see how you can be successful selling life insurance at the mall. To be successful the average mall goer will find you even more annoying than the Dead Sea cosmetics people. You'll get kicked out. People aren't going to approach you about life insurance, you'll have to stop them to talk to them.

 

[Norwayguy]

Why a Kiosk in the mall...Is this a short term thing for a special mall program or do you really think you will make a living selling life from a kiosk in the mall? Plus what hours are you there? Are you tied to this Kiosk ie does it need to be manned and does it need to be manned by you?

I would rather knock on residential doors cold knocking than to be trying to grab people in the mall....Just think of it this way if they say no like most will either by door knocking or the mall kiosk its 30 seconds out of their lives and I'm walking back down their driveway...In the mall when they head back out to their car they will be walking on the other side to avoid you.

now if they say yes, on the door knock they can invite me in and if we need a voided check or want to look at a statement we are in the perfect place...If they say yes to you in the mall what are you going to do have a personal conversation about their finances with people walking by a foot away? Could imagine trying to do an app....So you need to set an appointment.

I'm only saying this because I just bought some stuff from Walmart and there was a Jackson Hewitt Tax Prep Cubicle there I can't imagine having my taxes done there with people walking by...The preparer must have to ask some questions...I did my brothers taxes and I know I asked him questions which caused him to provide additional info except this was in his home not a walmart with people walking by a foot away.

I wish you the best...If there is one thing I've learned about this business is that many different business models can be successful and I wish you all the success you can stand.

 

[lucasr]

I agree with Norway about it being difficult place to sell. I would focus on getting leads while there, and try to call the next day for an appt.

Have people fill out their name, phone #, address, email, whatever info you can get and offer free reviews/quotes. Or have a giveaway that people can sign up for. On the signup form put preffered contact method and product most interested in a quote for.

Good place to advertise, market your name/biz. Rough place to sell.

 

[arnguy]

IMHO people will avoid you like you have B.O. (Body Odor).

 

[Newby]

When I was a wet behind the ears newbie just starting to sell funeral preplanning insurance I manned a mall kiosk on the very first shift (Monday 7:00am-noon) It was the first day of a senior themed expo.
The mall walkers were there at 6:00am and when they finished walking a man walked right over to the booth and pointed to the sign that said funeral preplanning and said "I want to do that. How do I do it?"
I told him to meet me at the funeral home at 1:00 and we'll Git er done!
He showed up with his wife and 2-hours later wrote me a check for $18,000.
Lucky to be at the right place at the right time because the rest of the week...nothing! And I mean they didn't even want to talk to you or to take a brochure.
I guess the moral of this story is: A. The Mall is not kind to insurance agents or B. Never say never. Take your pick.

 

[xrac]

When I was a wet behind the ears newbie just starting to sell funeral preplanning insurance I manned a mall kiosk on the very first shift (Monday 7:00am-noon) It was the first day of a senior themed expo.
The mall walkers were there at 6:00am and when they finished walking a man walked right over to the booth and pointed to the sign that said funeral preplanning and said "I want to do that. How do I do it?"
I told him to meet me at the funeral home at 1:00 and we'll Git er done!
He showed up with his wife and 2-hours later wrote me a check for $18,000.
Lucky to be at the right place at the right time because the rest of the week...nothing! And I mean they didn't even want to talk to you or to take a brochure.
I guess the moral of this story is: A. The Mall is not kind to insurance agents or B. Never say never. Take your pick.

Scot, you are aways in the right place at the right time.

 

[somarco]

Allstate used to have booths in Sears stores. Sold a lot of HO and auto but I doubt much else.

Years ago there was an agency in Chattanooga that sold life & health from a booth. It was rarely manned but always had brochures. They kept the booth for years so I suppose it worked.

Blue has walk in stores in select areas in FL. I believe Tampa is one of those. Not sure how well that has worked.

Selling life insurance from a booth has got to be tough in this day of smart phones where they can check your rates against something like bestinsurance.com