To Inc. or Not to Inc.?

[Delta76]

What are my options for sales if I do not want to cold call my prospects. I think cold calling is intrusive and ineffective

Dan-

Unless something in your head changes quickly, you will fail out of this business in record time. Nothing wrong with that, it's not for everyone. If you work for AFLAC, you won't survive in the beginning without some cold calling. If you work for a career life agency, they most likely will discourage cold calling, but you will have to get referrals from people who don't want to give them to you. Either way, you have to promote yourself and do uncomfortable things until they become comfortable.

As far a getting agents under you, that's the last thing you should be thinking about. Too many people try to get people under them so they can get "something for nothing." The agents will quickly figure this out if you even get that far and will be gone fast. What can you offer them if you can't give them direction on how to succeed in the business?

In my limited opinion, from reading your first post, you have a negative view of salesman. Either change that or don't become a salesman. I have a feeling that you would be better suited in a different business. This is not a get rich quick business.

 

[Danielsp9]

First I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to provide your opinion.
Sorry I have been cold calling all week! (Believe it or not) With my district coordinator. I realized that the only way I will get the word out of me being in business is if I got out there and tell people. I have also been catching up on the latest marketing techniques by reading several books on the subject.

I have to say that everyone's opinion about cold calling has its truth, I did figure out that if I decided to do ANYTHING other than cold calling it would cost me major bucks. So my new approach is to forget the common misconception on the salesman like some of you said to do and to approach my customers in a more passive way. Over the course of this week I learnt so much that it has opened my eyes to what cold calling achieves, even thought I still believe that there are other simpler, cost effective ways to reach your customer WITHOUT buying useless leads! Direct marketing and creating a brand ( me ) in my town will improve my chances of that dumb duck commercial actually doing some good and having people look for me. I do realize achieving this requires months and months of cold calling and informing the people of my town that I even exist.

I also figured out that the last of my worries should be getting people to start working under me.

Also figured out that I really love this business/industry and I have to be honest, it makes me feel like an amazing person when someone comes to me and asks for my advise on how to protect their family's future.

I also saw the "light" if you will, when it comes to what my customers are really buying. They dont buy insurance, they buy their families futures. Insurance is based on the probability that a plan might go sour! This will help me alot in my coming weeks of training.

FYI: My District and I hit about 70 business offices and got about 10 businesses on board to let us present our product to their employees.
I have big goals so I am hoping to reach and close at least 24 of those employees. ( about 24,000 dollars in premiums written ).

When it comest to my idea of having several companies, I see my life as a lake where it needs to have multiple rivers of income for it to be full of water ($$$$) and stay that way. I really could care less about other people's opinion or my status for owning "several companies".
The only reason why I focus so much on the incorporation factor is TAXES! Taxes drain our pockets so much that I really do not want to work extra hard for Mr. Prez to spend my money on something we really dont need ( NOT getting into politics in this forum lol). Incorporating is by far the only way to avoid the stupid income taxes and slip more money into my pocket.
Do not call me greedy, simply call me ambitious.

Thanks to all. If you need aflac in SW Florida region make sure you call me up. Or even if you know someone that lives here, let me know. I can give you some amazing vacations

PS I KNOW THIS IS NOT A GET RICH QUICK BUSINESS... But I figure if I try different things and work harder/play less and be nicer I can probably be more successful than most aflac people... Its worth a try and its better than an hourly job!

 

[Consultant]

Bravo! You are really coming to your own in one short week.

Just remember to keep the great moments and put them in your pocket. When you hit certain roadblocks it will be your life saver (no joke) to keep on pushing.

With that attitude and focus I can see you going far. I really enjoyed your reflection at the weeks end of "doing things others don't do".

Keep us posted on your progress - Have a great weekend!

 

[rgc6789]

Dan:

I was in the Insurance Industry for a few years in the IT department. But, I felt it necessary to get my license in order to better service the agents I worked with, so I did it. Trained as if I was going to be an agent (cold calling, going to homes, closed 100 or so leads). However, I am a software consultant at the end of the day.

Through the years I've ventured off here and there into other businesses. I can tell you one thing that I think is universal across any industry. Stay focused and do what you know and love. I tried owning pizza shops among other things, but lost money on all of them. When it comes to IT though, that's what I love and that's what I'm successful at.

I understand your thought process of multiple income streams, but there are ways to do that within the Insurance Industry without getting sidetracked.

So, what I ultimately learned is "Do what you know and enjoy" and stay focused.