Whether your primary business is run online or offline, you can find new customers or clients on the Internet. Community forums are another great way to boost your business’ online exposure. By becoming a regular in forums that address the needs of your potential customers, you can introduce your agency without in-your-face advertising.
Don’t underestimate the power of email. By creating a quality email newsletter, filled with must-have info, you can put your business in front of prospects who need your services with virtually little or no out-of-pocket cost. Sending monthly emails filled with rich content, tips and of course, your contact information will help establish you as an expert in your field while keeping your agency’s information in front of your prospects on a regular basis.
While these marketing techniques can increase your online presence and boost brand recognition in the long run, they may not necessarily put your agency in front of motivated prospects that need the coverage you offer.
Stop Branding and Start Selling
Paid online advertising is only one of many methods you can use to zero in on new leads. Purchasing banner ads and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising on websites or in newsletters that reach your target audience can bolster your customer base, but with costs of $20.00 or more per click for insurance-related keywords, it can also take a toll on your marketing budget.
Today’s most successful insurance agents understand that they can’t “go at it” alone. These agents also understand the power of the internet and turn to online lead-generation sites for the prospects they need. In a nutshell, insurance lead generation services can deliver what all other marketing techniques can't: targeted prospects looking to buy your products now!
All Lead Generation Services are Not Created Equal
Connecting with a reputable lead generation service — one that has been in business for years, established a strong online presence and doesn’t collect money upfront — can deliver prospects right to your desktop. By investing in online insurance leads, today’s agents can exponentially increase their earnings potential as compared to online branding campaigns.
Both captive and independent insurance agents alike can benefit equally from online lead generation services, provided they know what to look for:
- Payment Terms
Unless an online lead has a solid industry reputation and has been in business for a while, be wary of services that ask for payment upfront. - Commitments
Let’s face it, who doesn’t have a fear of commitment? Sure, an online lead generation service might look great at the beginning, but what happens 6, 9 or even 12 months down the road? Too many agents lock themselves into an extended agreement, then when the market shifts, they drop a carrier or the lead service doesn’t work out as well as initially thought, there’s no way out! - Age
If the price of online leads seems too good to be true, it probably is. Many online lead generation services have a tendency to repackage their old data and sell them as new leads. Agents need to ask how the lead service is generating their leads and how old the leads are. Ideally, agents should look for services that offer real-time delivery. That means, as soon as the prospect submits the lead, it’s delivered to the agent. - Times Sold
Speaking of pricing that’s “too good to be true,” be cautious of how many times a lead generation service will sell the same lead. This is even more important for captive agents, as there are some services that sell the same lead to the same captive agents. While exclusive leads are virtually non-existent in today’s market, the industry average is approximately 4 times. - Delivery
Think about the reliability of fax and email communications. How many times are you left wondering if someone received your fax or if your email was accidentally filtered out into the spam folder? Most online lead services have evolved to the point where online delivery is automatically provided. That means no lost emails, no misrouted faxes and no unnecessary papers – simply log in to a password-protected website, from any computer with internet access and there you have it!
Regardless of what method, or methods, you choose to boost your business, be sure to do your research. Make sure your marketing dollars will put you where the prospects are. After all, you’ve worked hard to establish an impressive and competitive product selection, so reward yourself with the right online solution.
About the Author
A freelance writer and Entrepanor for more than 10 years, Joseph Pichardo is currently the Vice President of Marketing for bestinsurancequotes4u.com. bestinsurancequotes4u.com is an online lead generation service that has been connecting consumers and business owners with insurance agents throughout the nation since 2005. Prior to joining bestinsurancequotes4u.com in 2002, Joseph worked with numerous media outlets including Fox News and Clear Channel. Joseph holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from st johns university where he graduated . For questions, comments or more information contact Joseph directly at 877-290-08400536 x42 or via email at joe@bestinsurancequotes4u.com
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