7 Tips for New Insurance Agents
Are you a new insurance agent, new to expanding your agency, or perhaps you’ve entered a new product line market? We know the stress of the “newness” of the insurance industry, and we’ve helped agents and agencies develop their performance, as well as improve their ability to recruit on a national level.
As an FMO specializing in Medicare, Health and Life insurance products – we’ve worked with over 40,000 licensed insurance agents by connecting with them on a personal level. In order to provide quality service as an FMO, and create the most effective individualized growth plan, we must connect with our agents to find their unique needs and goals.
Here are some quick tips on what you should do as a new insurance agent (especially if you’re not working with an FMO):
- Hard Work Is Key
You have undoubtedly heard this one before, but it’s one of the most concrete pieces of advice for new insurance agents. Starting something new is always challenging. Why would you do it if it wasn’t? At first, it may seem like you are being overwhelmed with new information at a constant, never-ending rate, but it will get better. Once you begin to learn your products, how to talk to your clients, and many other essential aspects of being an insurance agent, you will find a groove. Just remember, how much effort you put into your work will determine the results you achieve. (Tip: Contact Agent Pipeline for assistance in sales approaches and coaching on product knowledge.)
- Set Goals
We all know that goals are important when it comes to success. Some of the most successful insurance agents have consistent goals that they are always working to meet. Goals are great because they help you to examine what success really means to you. What is success to you – can you define it? Is it happiness? Is it your salary? Success varies from person to person, but setting goals can help to motivate and help you achieve your definition of success. Set goals that will guide you down your path to success.
- Find a Mentor
Let’s face it; sometimes guidance is not only helpful but necessary. As a new insurance agent, it’s an excellent idea to find a mentor. Your mentor could be anyone from your agency’s owner, to a coworker who has been in the insurance industry for a while. You can also work with an FMO; their consultants act as a mentor specifically in your market and product line. Mentors are great because they can offer guidance and advice that is incredibly helpful. They have already gone through the process of building a career and can provide you with the knowledge to help you grow as an insurance agent. A mentor may not be necessary in some people’s eyes, but it is definitely recommended to help you attain success quicker.
- Be Surrounded by Success
We are most like the people we hang around. So, if you are regularly spending time with people who don’t harvest success, do you think success will come easily to you? The answer is most likely no. If you want success, surround yourself with successful people! Network within the insurance industry and your local community influencers. Attending events like conferences, conventions, and business meetings can help you to get out there and meet the people you will want to be surrounded by to attain success.
- Have a Set Routine
Every day we hear people complain about not having enough time in a day. Honestly, there is plenty of time to accomplish your duties, those who cannot suffer from poor time management skills. Yes, you very well may have a stacked full plate and feel like you have no time for anything, but if you reassess your current routine, you will most likely find areas of your days in which you could spend your time better. Having a set routine that you stick to on a daily basis can be really helpful in allowing you to complete tasks and achieve your goals. Remember, what may work for someone else, may not work for you. It’s all about experimenting until you find a routine that clicks.
- Check on Yourself
It’s very easy to get caught up in all of life’s craziness, that’s why you should remember to take some time each week and check in on yourself. How is your mental health? Do you feel happy and fulfilled? Also check on your physical health as well. Taking a few minutes to meditate, exercise, or write in a journal are great ways to tune out from the world and just spend some time with yourself.
It’s also imperative to check in on how you are doing at work. Keep a calendar full of the goals you want to meet and check it every once in a while to ensure you are doing what you can to reach those goals.
- Continue to Improve
There is always room for improvement. No matter how far you are in your career, there are still new things you can learn to add to your skill set, and that make you a better insurance agent. Don’t settle for just being “good,” always strive to be the best, and even when you get there, keep going. This doesn’t mean always be extremely critical of yourself. It’s important to be kind to yourself, but it’s also important to be able to recognize where you could use some work.
Are you ready to go down the road of success? We hope so! For further guidance down a successful path, give us a call at 800-962-4693, or visit our website www.agentpipeline.com to find a number of our excellent Agent Empowerment tools. If you’re interested in seeing how an FMO can help you grow your knowledge on products, increase your sales, maximize your time and minimize your efforts – reach out today.
