Networking Strategies for Insurance Agents: 7 Smart Ideas
Networking Strategies for Insurance Agents: 7 Smart Ideas
I don't like the fake smiles, cheesy jokes, overbearing personalities, awkward conversations, and unsolicited advice. And of course I can't stand the sales pitches for crap I'll never ever buy. On the bright side… sometimes there's alcohol. Although I'm a die-hard internet marketing guy I know those two things as fact: The more individuals you understand the more insurance you sell. Networking events are one of the greatest ways to generally meet people. So I figured, considering my disdain for networking events, I will be the perfect person to give ideas so you can get the most out of a thing that I consider to be a necessary evil. Here they are, 7 networking methods for insurance agents:
1) Be considered a Connector I'm sure you've heard this one before, but there's more to helping people connect together than you could have considered. When you're anyone introducing two others you'll naturally assume a position of power within that number of three. As time passes, the more people you connect, the bigger you'll climb up the ability pyramid in your local community.
2) Show As much as Events Early I am aware the temptation to show up fashionably late – it's much easier to blend in to a full room of people and its more likely you'll see someone you already know. Appear late though, and you're missing a vital opportunity – meeting the organizers. Event organizers hold plenty of “connection power” and when you're among the first people showing up you can help you, get to learn them, and compliment the setup. There's a decent chance it'll even get you a “shout out” during any microphone time later in the event.
3) Don't Talk Insurance insurance-networking-conversationsNot only is insurance boring, but every business networking event I've ever been to is crawling with insurance agents. At some point, every networker has been stuck talking to a super-boring insurance guy and they're forever searching to avoid the situation. Even if someone wants to share with you insurance, attempt to push it off until after the event. This way you will be in a much better situation to sell and you will find out whether they're really interested or were just making small talk.
4) Find More Networking Events There are always a many more opportunities than simply the area chamber of commerce. Think beyond your box, ask around, and take a look at this list to get you thinking: Chambers of Commerce Business Networking Groups Mastermind Groups Meetup.com Groups Charity Events School Board Meetings High School Sports Games Local Youth Sports Events City Government And take a look at local event sites like Eventbrite, Eventful, and Patch.com 5) Send Your Staff There isn't to accomplish most of the networking yourself. In reality, it's probably more important your producers are available shaking hands than you are. Don't just send them blind, let them have some goals and objectives and make sure they are read this article!
6) Have Memorable Cards funny-business-card-for-insurance-networkingPeople expect you (the insurance guy) could have some boring business cards. Surprise them! I'll write another article with ideas for business cards that stand out so I'm not digging deep into that here but be creative and make sure they are stand out. At the very least, put your picture on there. And incidentally, for anyone captive guys who say they're stuck with the organization issued cards… The marketing police don't head to your chamber of commerce meetings and nobody can prevent you from marketing yourself (not the agency) nevertheless the heck you need to. Or put a funny sticker or stamp on the back.
7) Set Networking Goals Like anything running a business, proper goals will enhance your results. Make a measurable goal for networking like adding new LinkedIn Connections, giving out a particular quantity of business cards, or sending a certain number of follow-up emails to your contacts. Like any goals you set, these should be centered on the activities that result in sales, not the particular sales themselves.
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