Now that you know what traits you should have, let’s talk about what you can do. Here are a few tactics to help you get your name out there and build a reputation as a successful and trustworthy insurance agent.
1. Provide High-Quality Customer Service
People are looking for credibility and trustworthiness in their insurance agents, as they’ll pick up on any agents who aren’t acting with their needs in mind and solely driven to get a commission. Listen and empathize with your insureds and put them first.
One strong relationship can lead to another in the future. If you leave your insureds with a great experience, they’re more likely to refer their friends to you.
2. Be Proactive
What’s one major trait that differentiates great agents from good agents? Great agents are proactive. And it may surprise you what we mean by this. Yes, checking in on your insureds and keeping them updated on policy changes is important, but truly proactive agents also help their insureds prevent accidents.
3. Participate in Your Community
You never know where you will find your next account. Participating in your local community allows people to connect with you on a personal level that may lead them to hire you later. Look for local groups that need volunteers or board members, or even connect with other business owners in networking groups. Networking within your community and asking friends and family members for referrals will increase your book of business.
4. Network with Other Insurance Agents
Connecting with other agents is a surefire way to learn about this fast-paced industry, keep your skills up to date, and find a community of professionals dealing with similar issues. The easiest way to connect with other agents is to join a professional networking group or attend industry conferences.
5. Sell Multiple Products
Many successful insurance agents have multiple insurance products in their portfolio. Being able to offer a selection of products (like life insurance, health insurance, and more), makes it easy to serve your insured’s needs —and keep them for the long haul instead of referring them to another insurance agent.
6. Generate Insurance Leads with Marketing Tactics
To create a successful insurance career, you have to learn how to market yourself. While cold calling might seem like an outdated method for landing new clients, it is a free insurance marketing tactic that produces results. You could try calling local businesses to see if they have any insurance needs. Don’t forget to return phone calls quickly.
As an insurance agent, you can succeed by applying just a few of these ideas to your business, but remember it will take time to build credibility and a strong base of insureds.