Start Your Career as an Insurance Agent on the Right Foot

Starting a new career is always challenging, but sales people have particular hurtles many people never have to worry about. Insurance Agents must have a sales instinct to succeed, but there are skills you can learn to help you navigate common career challenges.

An insurance agent is both a sales person and a customer service representative. They must know the insurance industry and insurance products inside and out to be able to sell to, and maintain insurance customers.

If you’re just starting out as an insurance agent, Parasol Leads can help. As insurance lead generation experts, we know what it takes to prospect, generate and sell in the insurance industry. Here are our tips for new insurance agents in 2017.

Prepare to be an excellent resource

It’s time to brush up on those customer service skills you may have acquired at your first jobs. Whether you worked retail, as a waiter or fast food restaurant – having customer service experience can help you be a better insurance agent. It’s customer service that often sets one insurance agency apart from their competitors. In a highly competitive industry like insurance, customer service performance is vital. Your level of customer service can be what sets you apart from other agencies and online insurance offerings. A good insurance agent understands that while their quote might not be the lowest, they can persuade a client by demonstrating the value they’ll receive from choosing you as an agent. Build trust with your clients, and let them lean on you as a resource. It will be much harder for them to leave you for a cheaper quote.

As a sales person, you must cross-sell

As the company’s sales person, it’s your job to match clients with the best insurance product to meet their specific needs, and educate prospects about the insurance products your company offers. Selling insurance is not a one-time sale, it’s about building a life-long relationship with a client that leads to multiple cross-selling opportunities. For example, you can close a deal with a client for auto insurance, but grow that relationship to include home insurance when they purchase their first home, additional car coverage when their children become of age, and so on. Learn from your colleagues. If you’re new to sales, it’s important to listen in on insurance sales calls. Hear what pitches work, and what doesn’t. Ask questions to find out what resonates most with clients. Determining what works best for you comes with experience, and soon you’ll find what sets you apart from other agents.

Don’t go at it alone

You don’t have to approach your new career independently. Most companies encourage collaboration, and learning. Look to your peers and colleagues for advice and strategies. Look outside your agency for other networking opportunities. There are several associations and LinkedIn groups dedicated to providing support for insurance agents. Parasol Leads manages the Insurance Agents NationwideLinkedIn group, where insurance agents from across the country can share industry news, tips and more. Grow your network, and grow your career in insurance.

Be personable and relatable

Relating to your client is one of the best ways to disarm your prospect, and eliveate the sales person stigma. Instead of general small talk, ask about your prospects interests, work and family life. Focus on your client, and show them that you’re there for them. “Converations are the bedrock of relationships. Without them, our relationships are devoid of substance,” notes Maribeth Kuzmeski, contributer for LifeHealthPro.com. “Conversation is a great way to invest in others. The act of listening – the other half of having a conversation – shows people you care.”

Generating insurance leads, and prospecting for insurance can be challenging in this competitive market. Parasol Leads helps insurance companies and independent insurance agents grow with quality insurance leads that convert. We sell auto insurance leads, life insurance leads,medicare leads and more that we generate through digital marketing efforts like search engine optimization, search marketing campaigns and social media. Contact Parasol Leads today to grow your insurance sales in 2017 with high quality insurance leads.