Selling in the Current Economy

[ca-ltc-agent]

Hello All,

I have been out of the business for the past few years. Well I have actually been out of the area for a while. I am currently in Japan, and have been offered a job, but I really want to come back and start selling Life and my favorite, LTC.

My plan is to do mainly door to door at small businesses, just introducing myself and what I can bring to the potential client. I will try to reach decision makers and do presentations, but will talk to anyone who will listen. I hope to introduce myself to 1000-2000 unique people a month. I also might try door hangers and homes in more up scale areas on the weekends. I have read a number of posts, and know that there are a many ideas to try.

I have some experience being captive, and now believe it is better to try to concentrate my efforts in a few places, and see what works and what does not. Given the results, move on from there.

In talking to mainly people outside of the business, they are all telling me to stay here. That my plans are "not possible" in the current economic climate. I just can not believe this.

Now I really would like to know what you all think! I do not see many (any) posts about how bad it is, and how nobody is buying anything. If anything, I have read that people buy in any economic climate. Is it possible to come back, and following a marketing plan, with hard work, to make it as an indy? I know the economy and the news are ugly, but perhaps that can work to re-enforce the news that life does not always work out the way we plan, so let us plan ahead.

I am planning on starting over in Sacramento or the Bay Area, so I know there must be some people that have money and needs. I just need to find them and help them to make the right decisions in planning for their and their families future.

Any comments and help are appreciated.

Thanks in Advance,
Steve

 

[Guest]

I am planning on starting over in Sacramento
Steve

I'm in Sacramento. I think you will find the individual life area somewhat challenging from a demand standpoint right now. However there is still a market for special need trusts and buy-sell coverage.

I don't know about LTC. There are a few agents here who specialize in it, but I don't know them very well.

You might look at disability as it is an under-served (almost forgotten) market here. But like LTC here, there is an awareness factor that seems to be lacking.

The individual health area has good demand but the UW is very tight. The group health demand is good, but the competition is high and because you have to wait for OE it is (or can be) a long sales cycle when dealing with established biz.

I do a lot of small group with California Choice... a product that appeals to these smaller companies... like a 5-person law firm where each guy wants a different carrier or product type (PPO vs. HMO.)

I'd forget door-hangers. They never worked for me. I'm more of a phone guy. I have a disabled wife and need to be home a lot so over the years I've really worked on my phone skills.

I've never been much of a B2B guy, although John P. trained me well in it. I just don't like walking in cold. I do it when I'm already out somewhere, but I do fine on the phone calling businesses for two to four hours each day. If you don't like doing that you might hire a telemarketer. I've had a few... stay-at-home moms, but eventually they (the more intelligent young women) get better, more interesting jobs or go back to the job they left for family leave.

Anyway, if you do what you say you are going to do you will do just fine either here or in the Bay Area. I always liked what Henry Ford said (although I hated Henry Ford's pro-Nazi, antisemitic politics)**:

"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right."


Al
Preserve your memories

** For years after WW2 American Jews would not buy Fords. It was not until Henry died in 1947 and Ford Motor provided massive aid to the new state of Israel in the early 1950s that sales to Jewish people started to rise. I remember my Dad's Ford Country Squire wagon... it was huge... larger than the Packard that he traded for it. (That Packard would be worth a fortune today! (No, you young people, it was NOT made by Hewlet-Packard! )

 

[insuranceexec]

I agree with al3. I am personally in the advanced case design, and annuity game; and have very little competition in my area. Remember that the more specialized you get, the better you can service your prospective clients. BTW good post.

 

[arnguy]

Wouldn't you be better off selling cancer policies for AFLAC in Japan? I believe that is where they have their largest share of the market.

 

[insuranceexec]

Wouldn't you be better off selling cancer policies for AFLAC in Japan? I believe that is where they have their largest share of the market.

I have a cousin in Japan right now. He might be a good lead for you..........Quack, Quack.

 

[Mark]

I help support Japan and China everytime I go to Walmart.

 

[insuranceexec]

I help support Japan and China everytime I go to Walmart.

What about Indonesia and Taiwan........I completely agree. I wonder how much Wal-Mart contributes to the GNP of China, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Japan?

 

[Winter_123]

What about Indonesia and Taiwan........I completely agree. I wonder how much Wal-Mart contributes to the GNP of China, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Japan?

This video is funnier than heck in my view, but I gotta tell ya it is also one of those things where if you dont laugh you cry. Anyway..........here it is.

Big Box Mart | Funny Video Animation by JibJab

 

[nka245]

This video is funnier than heck in my view, but I gotta tell ya it is also one of those things where if you dont laugh you cry. Anyway..........here it is.

Big Box Mart | Funny Video Animation by JibJab

You weren't kidding about having to laugh or you'll cry with that one...

 

[insuranceexec]

This video is funnier than heck in my view, but I gotta tell ya it is also one of those things where if you dont laugh you cry. Anyway..........here it is.

Big Box Mart | Funny Video Animation by JibJab

I thought the guy singing was funny; the message was sad, but true. I thank you for sharing.....