Isn’t this one of the hardest questions? (Well, not always, sometimes they make it really easy on you to answer!) I think it’s a whole lot easier when they fire themselves. Something goes wrong, there is an obvious mistake, they don’t show up, etc. Then you don’t have to question yourself. But it al...

I believe that part of running a successful insurance agency (and making great money in the process) is being a really great insurance agent. You can’t provide crappy service and be in the top income earners. The two don’t work together. This goes beyond just retention strategies. It’s about providi...

A blog reader asked me recently about creating a daily sales activity report where a manager could check an employee’s progress on a regular basis. One thing I’ve noticed is that even with all the technology we have available at our fingertips, sometimes plain old pen and paper can get the job done....

I like to do a “weekly review” each Sunday for the upcoming week. Here are some things I look at: - If you keep a to-do list, review it and see what hasn’t been completed. - Look over last week’s calendar and see if there is anything that needs to be followed up on or scheduled for this week. - Revi...

Your team is the face of your agency to your prospects and clients. They represent you and everything that you work hard to build and maintain. You can’t take that lightly!. For your next interview…. You do the usual interview questions. You look at the usual body language, how they present themselv...

I've put together a PDF download on (how to get fans on your facebook page) a free digital download. You can view it here: http://agencyupdates.com/social-media-for-insurance-get-fans-to-your-facebook-page/ . This wil show you how to create your Agency Facebook Page and get fans to it. If you have a...

Before you go captive or IA you need to know what niche area you want to be in. Going Captive you'll learn more than IA. But, Captive you'll have less of an niche to work with. IA's have a variety of specific markets to reach to become an expert in that line and grow an impressive agency. Getting ap...

I wouldn't recommend it. First off you don't know where they are going to put your link at and you may not approve. Google doesn't give that much credit for a ton of backlinks but more so for quality backlinks from reputable sites. In googles algorithm it benefits you more have quality backlinks tha...

I've made a video on how to add these tabs or buttons to your business facebook page. Here is the url: http://agencyupdates.com/how-to-create-a-get-a-quote-form-on-your-insurance-agency-facebook-page/ In the video there are instructions on how to do it exactly but if you have questions email me. joh...

I left Allstate and went Independent. The contract with Allstate is similar to Farmers. Farmers actually approached me after I sold my book to write under them but I went the Independent route. Like I've said before if your bringing the business in companies will have no problem letting you be appoi...

I get mad about this a lot. Most companies issue you a 1099 and that would say you were a Independent Contractor for IRS guidelines. When in reality the companies have rules and superiors that would seem like an employee relationship. But, in a Captive Agent role the company sometimes helps with exp...

You can get all the appointments you want if you have good sales and connections in that niche. I was a Captive Agent for 2 years and grew my book from scratch to little over a 2 million dollar book and had no problems getting whatever appointment I wanted when I went Independent. I was not in a com...

Here are some ideas on referral programs and how to get more referrals.

http://agencyupdates.com/creating-your- ... s-program/

If you want any other referral program ideas let me know. I have several of them and will be happy to share them with you.