The network of insurance agents is important. Whether it’s just getting to know people or making connections for your business, the network can greatly improve your career prospects. Despite their importance, online events can be boring, given how many visitors try to succeed in sales or engage in excessive business conversations.Is networking a learnable skill?
Some people are innate networkers. They seem to know everyone in the room and are happy to be in a large group of people they have never met. And for the rest of us, just hearing the word network, makes us explode in a cold sweat. If this applies to you, you should find that you are trying to avoid networks at all costs.
No matter how you feel about it, the truth is that networking can help your career a lot. To make the most of your next online communication opportunity, it’s important to do your homework and learn some skills. You only have a few seconds to make a positive impression. Think about what type of personal presence you like. Your list probably includes a smile, neat grooming, and a sense of inner confidence. They usually work together to create an attractive, accessible personal experience.
SEE ALSO: Things you need to consider before choosing a Pet Insurance
What is the best networking insurance tips for insurance agents?
Creating networks, whether you’re at a gala event or a CE insurance course, will be much easier if you keep one thing in mind: it’s not what they can do for you. It’s about what you can do for them.
Think of networking as an opportunity to find ways to help other people – connect two people or offer your own professional view of a problem someone is facing. Once you establish your own experience – and build a relationship with someone based on what you can offer – it will be much easier for you to ask for a service, and the other person will be happy to provide it.
That’s why many people are uncomfortable working online, because it seems fake – and it’s scary to ask a stranger for a service. Don’t think about convincing someone to help you – it’s all about helping them. If you get something important for your career from a future relationship, great – if not, then at least you will have the opportunity to meet new interesting people.
Networking insurance tips for insurance agents
· Connect and introduce people to each other when networking
There is a good chance that you will already know a couple of people in the west to create an insurance agent. However, they may not know each other. You can take advantage of this by introducing them to each other and helping them connect. By bringing people together, over time, you can create a wide range of contacts that will remember you for helping them connect. They are more likely to connect you with people in your circle, which, as you already know, is good for any insurance agent.
· Make good introductions
There are good introductions to several parts. A strong, strong handshake gives a powerful but reliable image. A clear voice mimics confidence. Indication of your name and title is not only informative but also congratulatory. Only these three actions will make people appreciate you in seconds. It is important not to be too aggressive, but also not too shy.
Have you ever met someone in an elevator and had 30 seconds or less to tell them what you were doing? Here’s what you should be prepared to offer when you first meet someone at an online event. You can add more details later, but start with a brief description of where you are from, where you are now, and how you make a living.
· Don’t talk about insurance at first
Not only is insurance boring, but every business network event is almost full of insurance agents. At some point, every network interlocutor is stuck in a conversation with a too boring insurer, and they are forever looking to avoid this situation. Even if someone wants to talk about insurance, try to postpone it until the end of the event. This way you will find yourself in a better situation to sell, and find out if they are really interested or just talking.
· Ask questions and act in an interested way
it is likely that everyone in this room can help you in some way. Even if you never see talking to this person again, make an effort! Enter the conversation, ask questions and keep a natural smile on your face to show interest. Think about preparing a small list of key questions in advance that you can use if the conversation starts unsuccessfully. Think about questions like “Where are you from?” or “What led you to (insert city)?” It doesn’t always have to be about insurance to stay interesting!
· Communicate with personal touch
Insurance is a very intimate business. You sell a product that is only used when something is wrong in a person’s life. Distributing handwritten promotional materials, as well as thank you cards and holiday cards, is a great way to add a personal touch to your communication. Of course, you will not have time to write all these cards yourself. You will be too busy selling and serving your customers.
· Follow up
Just as you need to call your insurance provider several times to ensure success, you also need to keep in touch with your new contacts from online events. Send them a personal email or send them a thank-you card stating that you appreciate them for taking the time to talk to you. Start developing a relationship with the person. This will make them more likely to connect with other people.
· Follow your prospect’s business on social networks
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram can be a great professional networking tool. According to Statista, in 2020 there were about 284 million Internet users in the United States. According to forecasts, by 2025 this figure will reach 296.7 million users. If your agency has a profile in profiles on social networks, then you can follow and like all the companies whose representatives you have met.
Alternatively, you can try to connect with people you’ve met through LinkedIn. A good connection on LinkedIn helps you and the person you meet. The ultimate goal here is to take the first step towards building a strong professional relationship with people.
· Sell the Value
This is another common mistake that new agents make. They assume that everyone buys at a price. But this is simply not true. If that were the case, everyone would shop in dollar stores for everything they needed. People don’t understand this because they realize that for some things, spending more brings you more value in the long run.
Sometimes you will be the cheapest agent, but often not. If you sell mostly for the price, you lose more often than you win. Instead, look for ways to sell your products. If you can convince your potential customers that your products are more valuable than your competitors’ offers, it won’t matter if yours is more expensive.