Untapped Market? I Think!

[jeniker72]

Thanks for all of your advice, everyone. How do I find out how many agents with this new company might be working my area already? That's the part that appealed to me, to work with a company who hasn't already flooded the area.


Why do people say salespeople make so much money and yet everyone hates to do it, do you think there is anyone out there who actually likes sales?

 

[moonlightandmargaritas]

That's the part that appealed to me, to work with a company who hasn't already flooded the area.

Every area, every product and every market is "flooded". You've got to rise above it and stand out.

 

[Frank Stastny]

Thanks for all of your advice, everyone. How do I find out how many agents with this new company might be working my area already? That's the part that appealed to me, to work with a company who hasn't already flooded the area.


Why do people say salespeople make so much money and yet everyone hates to do it, do you think there is anyone out there who actually likes sales?

It really doesn't matter "how many agents with this new company might be working my area already". "Competition is nothing to be afraid of, it is to be embraced.

A lot of the sales I make are due to the fact that the other agents are basically screw-ups. Just because there are "a lot" of other agents doesn't mean that a well trained, honest, hard working, knowledgeable, diligent agent who is willing to provide excellent service is going to have a hard time selling insurance.

I just described probably less than 25% of insurance agents. At least from my personal experience. It doesn't matter how many insurance agents there are in an area, the professional agents will always prosper.

If you think you can make it as an independent agent then definitely go that way. Especially if you want to work in the senior market. You will probably need more than one company for a whole host of reasons.

I will be glad to help get you started if you are interested. I am leaving today for five days of tarpon fishing so I most likely will not be available until next Thursday. Feel free to call me after that.

Oh, I don't "hate" sales. I LOVE sales, especially the senior market. I wouldn't consider doing anything else.

If you really "hate" sales then you may want to consider other options. It isn't always easy but it is always rewarding and satisfying.

 

[bill3173]

Every area, every product and every market is "flooded". You've got to rise above it and stand out.

That's precisely why I'm thinking of changing my business attire.

Lime green shirts and yellow ties with some sort of floral arrangement for the more formal meetings and black tee shirts with baggy jeans and a giant gold chain with big medallion hanging around my neck for the regular crowd.

 

[IndyAgentIDTMY]

Every area, every product and every market is "flooded". You've got to rise above it and stand out.

I have to agree with Moonlight, Jeniker. Some more than others, but there are tons of agents out there representing dozens of different companies and targeting certain segments....there are and never will be an "untapped market" in the insurance business.

I find that many agents in all lines of insurance, whether captive or independent, tend focus too much on how many agents are selling in a given territory, what products they don't have, the quality of their leads and all the other peripheral stuff that really doesnt matter in the grand scheme of things.

Successful agents stand out from the rest by providing consistent, thoughtful service to their clients. They call their existing clients every once in awhile, not to sell them more products, but just to say hello. Ask them if they need anything or if they have friends or family who they think you could help. They send out birthday cards, thank you cards, holiday cards, etc. The guys and gals who do this build a book of fiercely loyal clients who stay with them for years, period.

Also, you might consider going independent so that you can pick the Carriers and products you want to work with and go from there.

 

[moonlightandmargaritas]

That's precisely why I'm thinking of changing my business attire. Lime green shirts and yellow ties with some sort of floral arrangement for the more formal meetings

People working the senior market tell me they're having luck combining this look with the "Leisure Suit" thing...

Retro, 70s, remember the good times blah, blah, blah...
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Successful agents stand out from the rest by providing consistent, thoughtful service to their clients. They call their existing clients every once in awhile, not to sell them more products, but just to say hello. Ask them if they need anything or if they have friends or family who they think you could help. They send out birthday cards, thank you cards, holiday cards, etc. The guys and gals who do this build a book of fiercely loyal clients who stay with them for years, period.

Some of the best advice I've ever read on this forum. I can't tell you how many clients tell me I stand out because I keep in touch.

 

[Frank Stastny]

That's precisely why I'm thinking of changing my business attire.

Lime green shirts and yellow ties with some sort of floral arrangement for the more formal meetings and black tee shirts with baggy jeans and a giant gold chain with big medallion hanging around my neck for the regular crowd.

Don't forget the over sized wallet with the long chain and huge rings on several fingers. If you really want to complete the "new image", some gaudy tattoos would complement the rest of your outfit nicely.

Damn near forgot, a new hat, unbent, with the bill worn sideways.

 

[Dave020]

That's precisely why I'm thinking of changing my business attire.

Lime green shirts and yellow ties with some sort of floral arrangement for the more formal meetings and black tee shirts with baggy jeans and a giant gold chain with big medallion hanging around my neck for the regular crowd.

There is precedent for success with that color.

In the mid 60's there was an artist/musician in LA who went by the name of "Lime". Everything in his world was lime, lime clothes, lime apartment color, lime furniture, lime everything. Very psychedelic.

He was good friends with one David Marks (the "Lost Beach Boy") who eventually convinced him to drop the "Lime" thing and use his real name.

"Lime" was really this guy:

 

[moonlightandmargaritas]

Everything in his world was lime, lime clothes, lime apartment color, lime furniture, lime everything. Very psychedelic.

Dave, I think I saw this guy a couple of years ago in Key West (seriously) at the nightly "Sunset Celebration" in Mallory Square.
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My fave Warren Zevon song:

 

[Dave020]

Someone doing the "Lime" thing. Love it!

Warren Zevon is greatly missed. Great talent, great songwriter, lots of energy. Certainly one of a kind.

On a side note, I would encourage anyone interested to read "The Lost Beach Boy" by Jon Stebbins & David Marks. Fascinating story of David's life as a neighbor and friend of the Wilsons, Original Beach Boy, Marksmen and the trials and tribulations of drug and alcohol abuse.



And David "bluesing it up" on Little Deuce Coupe: