Should I Use LinkedIn for My Insurance Agency

As we approach 2014 I now almost find it almost comical when I chat with insurance agents who want me to prove to them that they should use LinkedIn for their insurance agencies.

I try to explain to them I could care less about LinkedIn, that I personally don’t like it very much myself and that my opinion really should mean very little to them.

However I try to explain the facts to them.

-         - 69 Million different USA computer users hit the site during August of 2013

-          - The site allows you to network with others

-          - The site allows you to create a database of your contacts

-          - The site allows you to message and market to those contacts

-          - The site allows you to join niche groups of your target market clients

-          - This is with the free version of LinkedIn

-          - Plus if you know what you’re doing, you should still have time to continue what you’re currently doing from a marketing standpoint.

So even though I don’t really like using LinkedIn, I learned a long time ago that my opinion doesn’t count. That I am salesman and I have to go where the crowds go. I have to do my best to touch as many people as possible, to project myself to be credible, to be an expert and to be a problem solver. That the insurance industry is truly a numbers game and that the agencies who reach those numbers make more sales.

In conclusion, it’s ok to hate or not understand LinkedIn. However if you want to project your expertise out to new and different people there is no excuse for not using it…. I guess you can always have fun cold calling.

Ken French

President

www.benefitstore.net

973-607-1916 Ext 1

Ken@snoozzy.com

Having A Focus

If you had a hole in your Insurance agency office roof would you fix it? Let’s assume you have a lot of people visiting the office.


One thing we can all agree upon is the insurance industry is getting more and more competitive. This is why having a strong brand for your insurance agency is so important!

In my opinion, anything that has your logo on it goes into the definition of things that make up your brand.

One of my favorite musical artists is a band called “Rush”. They have dozens of albums that are all unique and successful. I remember one interview with them a few years back. In short they said they only put songs on the album that have been polished a hundred times over, they had to be worthy of the “Rush” brand.

I guess my point is, I talk to many insurance agencies about social media daily. Many tell me how they’ve created a facebook page or LinkedIn page months ago. Now they’ve forgotten about them and barely know how to access them. Problem is these pages are easily found on Google when a consumer checks out your “brand”. The consumer views these pages as key pieces to your brand. When the social media page looks unfinished or inactive…… your agency suffers, regardless of how you view their value.

So did you ever think creating a facebook page and not keeping it impressive would have the same effect as having a customer come to your office with a hole in the ceiling?

Ken French
973-607-1916
Ken@snoozzy.com
www.benefitstore.net

Social Media Philosophy for Insurance Agents

The point of Social Media for insurance agencies is to stay in front of their current client base. If you have a good posting strategy you can take advantage of Social Media’s “Viral Marketing” aspect and actually get your agency in front of your client’s friends and families.

Fact: Successful insurance agencies are built on referrals and solid retention.

Fact: Social Media is valuable because a high % of people pay attention to it.

That being said it’s a very simple process.

One: Setup a social media presence for your agency (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter accounts)

-Having all three is actually vital for your websites SEO (Google now looks for “Social Activity”).

Two: Start posting five days a week. Post about industry news, helpful tips and things on people’s minds. (Never solicit)

Three: Reach out to your clients via email or your agency newsletter. Tell them you’re investing in the future and that your social media presence is a free value added service for them. It’s something that separates you from your competition. Give them instructions on how to become connected.

Four: Never stop the above process…. You need to be constantly posting, you need to be constantly adding new connections. It never stops!

If you believe that insurance is a numbers game and that people only buy insurance when they have to. Then social media is a free, innovative way to get your agency in front of those numbers. To project yourself as a guru or expert that can guide the consumer to the right risk management solution.

I am offering a free webinar that offer more indepth analysis and how to on this subject. 

Feel free to signup below

Webinar Date: 7/16 (From Noon to 12:30 – Eastern Standard)

Click to Register: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/822880001

Ken French

www.benefitstore.net

President

Ken@snoozzy.com

973-607-1916 Ext 1