Independent Agents
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Tip: If you are posting a market request, include the state abbreviation in your post title to get better responses.
Tip: If you are posting a market request, include the state abbreviation in your post title to get better responses.
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insuranceguy
- Insurance Journal Fan
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Thu Dec 11, 2003 11:03 am
So what you are saying is that you pay for all your own advertising, leads, office space, etc....?
If that is the case, then you need to look at how you like to work and figure out if you want a "flexible" work from home option (where you contract with someone else to use the markets they have available--- since, in this market, not many carriers are appointing anyone new)
or do you want to be in an office all day? That's a completely different can of worms
If that is the case, then you need to look at how you like to work and figure out if you want a "flexible" work from home option (where you contract with someone else to use the markets they have available--- since, in this market, not many carriers are appointing anyone new)
or do you want to be in an office all day? That's a completely different can of worms
I've been in the industry for 30 years this June but I just hung my own shingle in October 2002. If you don't have the contacts and a plan of action I assure you it will be difficult at best.
As the other person said, companies are not out like the old days just making plants and if you don't have a niche` to go after you have to decide what will bring clients to your door...what will differentiate you from others.
I'm thrilled that I took the chance after all these years but I know of a few others who haven't done anything other than to hang the shingle. They can't get contracts and therefore in turn, no clients either.
Be sure you have companies to represent and a product you want to sell, if not, the "man": can be your best friend.
Finding good employees, producers etc is so hard now a days, if it's just a matter of making more money for you...I'd look elsewhere. It takes a good 3 years to know you're going to make it as an agent and 5 to actually make any kind of real money...still not the big dollars (depending on what you specialize in) but to start making a living instead of in debt as in the starting out days. I'm very pleased with my growth, it's steady but I couldn't pay all the bills from it just yet.
I wish you good luck!
As the other person said, companies are not out like the old days just making plants and if you don't have a niche` to go after you have to decide what will bring clients to your door...what will differentiate you from others.
I'm thrilled that I took the chance after all these years but I know of a few others who haven't done anything other than to hang the shingle. They can't get contracts and therefore in turn, no clients either.
Be sure you have companies to represent and a product you want to sell, if not, the "man": can be your best friend.
Finding good employees, producers etc is so hard now a days, if it's just a matter of making more money for you...I'd look elsewhere. It takes a good 3 years to know you're going to make it as an agent and 5 to actually make any kind of real money...still not the big dollars (depending on what you specialize in) but to start making a living instead of in debt as in the starting out days. I'm very pleased with my growth, it's steady but I couldn't pay all the bills from it just yet.
I wish you good luck!