Agency Intelligence: The Insurance Podcast Network Agency Intelligence

In this episode, James talks with Sandra Gebhardt, an Online Marketing Strategist. To learn more about Sandra Gebhardt Digital Marketing, visit https://sandragebhardt.com. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed.

Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom

Email us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better.

Key Topics:

Sandra's entry into the insurance industry and transition to marketing

Importance of personal branding in marketing

Using organic social media to enhance business growth

Tips for optimizing marketing strategies and community involvement

Benefits of a Fractional Chief Marketing Officer

Challenges faced by insurance agents and strategies for success

It's really hard to set new business appointments with your prospects if you can't communicate with them directly. (Go figure, right?) So, then, why in the world would you ... (or another agent you know?) ... keep prospecting in ways where you are forced to deal with gatekeepers and receptionists? That just doesn't make sense to me at all.
In this throwback episode of the Millionaire Insurance Producer podcast, host Charles Specht will teach the why and how of finding your prospect's "sweet spot" when it comes to communicating with them directly, in order to set more appointments.
 
Episode Highlights:

Charles uses the analogy of hitting the sweet spot in baseball to explain the importance of finding the right platform and script to communicate with prospects. (2:36)


Charles explains the importance of prospecting in a way that resonates with the prospect's preferences and needs, rather than solely relying on the salesperson's preferred methods. (6:08)


Charles discusses the need for a multi-pronged approach to prospecting, including walk-in visits, email, telephone calls, direct mail, social media, and speaking to centers of influence. (10:01)


Charles mentions the importance of finding ways to get direct access to decision-makers, such as using social media or sending a short text message, in order to bypass gatekeepers and increase the chances of success in selling insurance. (12:21)


Charles shares that emails should be micro-niched, focused on the major problem the prospects have, and clear and concise about how to fix it. (16:04)


Charles explains how to know the best way to prospect depending on the type of business that you are going after. (21:08)



Key Quotes:

“You need to have multiple different ways in which to speak to your prospect. Otherwise, you're not going to have success in setting appointments. And if you can't set appointments, you will starve.” - Charles Specht

“I would tell you just try and prospect in ways in which you can get direct access to decision maker so that you can bypass the gatekeeper, period. I like making phone calls, I actually think making phone calls works with a lot of different businesses. So it needs to be a part of that. However, emails, social media doing walk-in visits, different things like that can be very, very powerful if you do it, right.” - Charles Specht


Resources Mentioned:

Reach out to Charles Specht


Permission Network Insurance Agency, Inc.

Ryan Brott, Chief Growth Officer at Ellerbrock-Norris, joins Elliot this week to pull back the curtain on how Ellerbrock-Norris is growing and thriving. From client referrals to COIs to cold calling, learn how to develop proven processes and build strong relationships through their four primary lead-generation channels.

Enjoy the episode!

Episode Links:
Ellerbrock-Norris: https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com
Ellerbrock-Norris Wealth Strategies: https://www.ellerbrock-norris-ws.com

LAUNCH: https://getlaunch.io/

Elliot Bassett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515
Ryan Brott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-brott-cepa%C2%AE-77a278a


This episode is sponsored by LAUNCH.

In the world of insurance, independent agencies fight to survive. Brokers are forced to compete by blocking markets and bid for the lowest price. Worse yet, the industry is fragmented.

Agencies find it difficult to collaborate across division on the same client. Millions of dollars in potential revenue are left on the table. And agency owners lie awake at night wondering how to scale.

THAT’S WHERE LAUNCH COMES IN.
Access the full-revenue potential in your existing book of business. See opportunities other agencies can’t. Offer more value. Gain a competitive advantage in a commoditized market.

Visit https://getlaunch.io/ to learn more.

In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens interviews Elisha Cavanaugh, President of Sound Pacific Insurance.

Elisha and Teresa talks about the award she won with Safeco, her being on the front cover of Rough Notes and how she is balancing family and career.

Key Topics:

Elisha's unexpected award and the opportunity to feature on the cover of Rough Notes

The challenges of self-promotion and the importance of community support in personal and professional growth

Strategies for maintaining authenticity while navigating business pressures and family life

The role of direct communication and relationship-building with insurance carriers

Leadership lessons on fostering team accountability and the parallels between leading a team and parenting

Practical tips for agency owners on engaging with carrier representatives and empowering their teams


Connect with:

Elisha Cavanaugh

Teresa Kitchens


Visit Websites:

Sound Pacific Insurance

Sterling Insurance Group



Produced by: PodSquad.fm

In this episode of Agency Intelligence podcast, host Jason Cass discusses his experiences and insights on utilizing artificial intelligence within the insurance industry, specifically through Gail, a tool developed by the company Lula. 

Key Topics:

The convenience and capabilities of Gail in automating responses and handling client interactions

The integration of Gail with other systems like Agency Zoom for enhanced functionality

Jason's observations on the efficiency and effectiveness of Gail compared to human operators

Detailed examples of Gail managing client requests and inquiries

The broader impact of AI on the insurance industry and predictions for future developments


Reach out to:
Jason Cass

Visit Website:

Gail

IndieTech 2024

Agency Intelligence



Produced by: PodSquad.fm

Many insurance agency owners struggle with the financial side of their business - Am I paying too much in taxes? Are my finances in order? Am I making a profit? These questions can be daunting, especially for those who don't have a strong background in accounting and bookkeeping.

In this episode, Erik Garcia (CFP®, BFA™, ChFC®) and Xavier Angel (CFP®, ChFC®, CLTC®) sit down with Jeremiah Bradley, an expert in providing bookkeeping and payroll services to insurance agencies and independent agents. Jeremiah shares insights on the benefits of having a dedicated bookkeeper, the impact of not having one, common myths about bookkeeping, and how to build trust with your financial professional. They also discuss some of the crazier tax write-offs Jeremiah has encountered working with his insurance clients.

Episode Highlights:

Jeremiah shares a lesson about saving money from his youth and its long-term impact. (06:33)


Jeremiah explains his journey to specializing in bookkeeping for insurance agencies. (10:12)


Jeremiah discusses the significance of understanding and managing cash flow in business. (17:46)


Jeremiah explains the importance of accurate bookkeeping for business decisions. (19:04)


Erik discusses the necessity of having a good relationship with your CPA and bookkeeper. (25:20)


Jeremiah mentions that it is important to ensure that your financial advisors, including accountants and CFOs, have a deep understanding of your specific industry. (33:55)


Erik discusses the importance of managing business expenses with an eye toward potentially selling the business in the future. (40:20)


Jeremiah believes that it is important for agency owners to continuously question the quality and comprehension of their financials, especially regarding specific practices like agency billing. (44:00)



Key Quotes:

“Bookkeeping is so important because if you don't know, it's a path, right? It's a path of, Hey, how am I doing? The month-to-month, but also it helps you look back and say, Hey, where did I come from? What have I been doing?" - Jeremiah Bradley

“Your bank account statement doesn't tell stories. Your profit and loss statements tell stories. You can't get an accurate profit in a law statement unless you're tracking expenses and income on a regular basis.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA


Resources Mentioned:

Jeremiah Bradley

Bradley Books and Balancing - Virtual Bookkeeping Services

Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA

Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC

Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors