As an insurance agency owner, you deal with many different clients and cases daily. Staying organized is essential to helping meet the needs of your customers. However, how can you remain efficient while also pleasing those you serve and your team members?
Developing habits that can increase productivity is a lifelong lesson. However, one way to tackle this goal is to remain organized as much as possible. By streamlining activities, reducing wasted time or energy, and discovering where your team works well together, you can become a more efficient agency. Here are some tips to help you make it out of the clutter and into a space to better serve your clients:
- Get rid of the energy and items in your office that will not help with the success for your business. Anything that is not absolutely necessary for functioning should be left behind.
- Make organization a daily activity both physically and mentally. The more you practice this, the easier it will become to work efficiently and effectively.
- Make communication priority at your agency. When communication is poor, work becomes inefficient. Make sure everyone can easily have discussions with coworkers and clients.
- You preach to your customers all the time to prepare for disasters. So why shouldn’t you? Create a disaster plan and make sure your agents have it on hand in case of a mishap. This will allow everything to run productively in the aftermath.
- Don’t give your employees more work than they can handle. Overloading your employees can cause burnout.
- Listen to others, including your employees and customers. Always follow through on your promises and don’t let your ego get in the way.
- Make it easy to work together as a team to boost efficiency.
- Improve employee satisfaction so they can remain happy, productive, and reliable.
As your agency turns into an efficient one, remember to also focus on your insurance marketing strategy. This can help further satisfy your customers as well as allow you to stay connect with your community. Taking the time to organize all aspects of your business will help you reach your fullest potential!
…and the weather just keeps getting better. But hey – don’t let that stop you from blogging the days away! There is plenty to be said during the month of July. If you are one of those people who do not think insurance can be related to summer fun blog topics, think again. This week, we have a whole new set of 8 summer blog ideas for the month of July.
#1: Independence Day is coming up! Write about local events, safety tips, history of the holiday, etc. There are MANY different routes you can take with this important holiday!
#2: Ah, grilling in the summer is so nice. You may want to blog about safety tips and include a link to your home insurance page while doing so! After all, it is National Grilling Month.
#3: In light of the 4th of July, you may want to write up a post about fireworks and the precautions involved. Depending on your location, your state may have strict laws in place. This makes for a great post!
#4: Business owners decide to implement summer hours and incentives to keep employees motivated through the warmer months. If you are looking to write about business insurance, this would be a great topic to tackle!
#5: The heat keeps rising. Why not help homeowners save some money on their electric bills this month? Write up a few money-saving tips and tricks.
#6: Pool safety tips are critical around this time of year. You can relate your post to liability insurance, too.
#7: It’s National Blueberries Month! This is a great time to write up a post about this super-fruit. You can relate it to health insurance, if you wish.
#8: There are plenty of events going on during the warmer months. Find a local event/festival and write a blog about it. This is a great way to promote for the community.
As always, please feel free to add your ideas in the comment section. We would love to hear the topics that you come up with on your own!
Posted in Blogging by .
As Google’s algorithm continues to be updated, it is important to continuously improve your insurance content marketing strategy. By staying focused on producing high quality content that works to engage the audience, you can remain relevant in your industry. Your customers are not only interested in your products, but who you are as an insurance agency.
It is important to be aware of how your services affect the community. This can be measured by your methods of communication with your audience. Having a Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and other social media outlets are some ways you can keep track of how happy or satisfied your customers are. In addition, remaining consistent with blog posts can keep readers interested in what you have to say.
Understanding how each post you create affects your bottom line is the difference between a mediocre and great marketing strategy. Here are some tips for you to keep producing high quality content across all of your digital avenues:
- Do not over optimize your content. Having blue links in every paragraph appears spammy, which will ultimately lower your site’s standing on the search rankings. It is okay to use keywords, but make sure you include them naturally within your content.
- Become an authority in your niche, being insurance. You can enhance this presence by focusing on what kind of content goes onto your site and social platforms.
- Social media may have more of an influence on your SEO and search engine rankings than you realize. By working to get more likes and tweets, this can be the ultimate endorsement of your services. Social sharing can in turn lead to referrals and more business.
- When thinking about using keywords, try focusing on long-tail keywords and finding terms that continue to build your reputation and authority.
- Utilizing videos, email marketing, and other forms of community engagement besides blogging can help your agency broadcast your message, brand, and the conversations you want to have with your audience.
Although more changes could occur over the next few months of how people search for your agency online, it doesn’t hurt to take a look at you insurance marketing strategy now. You know all about risk. So the last thing you want to happen is to expose your website to lower search rankings when you could avoid it in the first place. Stay on top of these updates, best practices, and involving your entire agency in your marketing plan!
Posted in Blogging SEO Social Media by .
This summer, it is time to jumpstart your social media strategy. It may seem hard to take time to be social during the summer, but the Insurance Blogger Summer Social Series is sure to help you plan out your posts ahead of time. We have 15 great ideas to get you started, RIGHT HERE.
1. CALL TO ACTION: What is your favorite summer activity?
2. June 7th is National Chocolate Ice Cream Day – encourage your fans and followers to treat themselves.
3. June 15th is Smile Power Day. Post a fun quote such as “Smiling’s my favorite!” from the movie Elf or simply remind everyone to smile 
4. Remind fans and followers to update their liability insurance policies before the summer arrives. Pool fun, trampolines and more could affect your policy. Be sure to include a link to your liability insurance product!
5. Post a fun summer quote: “A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.” ~James Dent
6. REMINDER: Father’s Day is June 16th!
7. Have you been blogging using the summer topics from our last post? Post a link to a blog post or the entire blog for all to see!
8. CALL TO ACTION: QUICK! Lemonade or Iced Tea? Note: It IS National Iced Tea month, too.
9. Summer is OFFICIAL on Friday, June 21st – post about it!
10. Do you think your fans and followers like music? We think yes! Turn to Youtube to find a fun summer jam. Our pick: Soak Up the Sun by Sheryl Crow
11. June is National Candy Month. Quick CALL TO ACTION: What is your all-time favorite candy?
12. CALL TO ACTION: Do you prefer to lounge by the pool or day or hit the beach?
13. June is also National Safety Month – anything goes with this topic! Safety at home, at work or while driving can all be linked to the insurance products that you sell. Get creative!
14. CALL TO ACTION: What is your favorite summer sport?
15. Last but not least… June 28th is a big day for all insurance agencies out there. It’s NATIONAL INSURANCE AWARENESS DAY! Go crazy!
Be sure to come back next month for another round of summer social topics. This summer social series is sure to keep you on track, even on the laziest of summer days!
Posted in Social Media by .
How are you reaching out to your insurance customers? Through different selling strategies? Or with an insurance marketing strategy? No matter how your sales people get the word out, they usually have the drive to meet monthly goals. However, as the owner of an insurance agency, it is important to understand that it is not all about the numbers. You are in this industry for a specific reason: To help protect and serve your human customers.
Do you think your agents have a personal chemistry with their customers? Establishing a unique understanding for the personal needs of those seeking insurance is extremely important to customizing a policy. The last thing you want to do is force an insurance product down a person’s throat for the benefit of your agency. This would make anyone feel uncomfortable. So what can you do to balance your sales passion with a strategic marketing plan? Here are some tips you can follow to humanize your strategy and reach out to your community in an honest way:
- Develop honest and friendly relationships with the individuals, families, and businesses you serve.
- Have your salespeople learn from each other so they can take a creative approach to sales encounters.
- Learn to uncover and understand the challenges your employees face when it comes to sales. This way, you can work together to develop a strategy that can wow and connect with your customers.
- Always make your sales meaningful, personal, and purposeful.
- Your customers are human, so don’t talk to them like robots. Instead, get to know them one on one so you can cater to their unique insurance needs.
- Your community wants develop a relationship with you as an independent insurance agency. So let your personality show! Inspire them to connect and engage with you.
- Humanize your agency with conversations and engaging content so you can connect with your customers as human beings and not treat them like numbers.
- On your social media accounts and website, attempt to speak in your customers’ language. Industry jargon may confuse them or make them feel inadequate. Keeping their needs in mind can help you speak to your audience better.
- Share information that brings them value, not just helps you increase your traffic. Also, listen and learn from the conversations you have with your clients. This can add so much value to your agency and your blended strategy.
- Share photos and videos of your team being human. This is one of the best ways to humanize your agency.
Do not lose sight of your goals when it comes to your marketing and sales strategy. Attempt to move away from a computerized process towards a more human customer relationship. Staying up to date with the latest social media trends and communication tactics can help you master important concepts in no time. Keep your clients happy, engaged, and most importantly, as your top priority!
Posted in Blogging SEO Social Media by .
The weather is surely looking up across the nation! With summer on its way, it may be much tougher to focus on blogging efforts. As an Insurance Blogger, trust me – I get it! However, over the years I have learned to deal with spring fever. I have taken my laptop outside to blog quite a few times and have incorporated spring-inspired topics into my posts. Both may help make blogging a little less dreadful on a sunny day!
To kick things off for you, I have another round of blog topics. These are interesting enough to keep you engaged and excited to start writing!
#1: June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month – great for health-inspired posts. Make a Top 10 list of the best spring/summer fruits and veggies!
#2: The first week of June is recognized as “Fishing Week.” This is a fun spring/summer hobby! You might want to give a few safety tips for all the fishermen and women out there. Speaking of spring and summer hobbies, have you discussed boating safety and insurance?
#3: Swimming pools will be opening before you know it! Now is a great time to remind homeowners about their liability insurance policy and how installing a pool on property could affect this coverage.
#4: School will be coming to an end for little ones soon. All the parents out there will appreciate a fun blog with ways to keep children entertained during the summer. This could be very interesting and fun to write up!
#5: Many people may be planning to rent a summer home soon – or renting out their own home! This may be a good time to discuss responsibility, rental property insurance, etc.
#6: Father’s Day is Sunday, June 16th. Readers are sure to appreciate a post with a few gift ideas.
#7: It is no secret that many Americans will begin laying in the sun and “getting their tan on.” It’s time to remind all your readers about sunscreen and sun safety. Skin cancer is on the rise and Americans should be aware of this. This is a great post to relate to health insurance, too.
#8: Many employees may be beyond “spring fever.” Share a few tips with business owners to keep their employees’ heads in the game during the warmer months.
#9: Another health inspired post to consider – “The Best Outdoor Exercises”
#10: THE BEST TOPIC OF ALL: INSURANCE AWARENESS DAY! Post a blog about the importance of insurance on June 28th!
Take that laptop outside on the patio and start writing – your insurance marketing strategy depends on it!
Posted in Blogging by .
Do you know what your insurance agents are passionate about? If you run an agency that has a family like atmosphere, then you should understand what each person enjoys doing and how that affects their work. Customer service and community building can only be strengthened if everyone on your team is engaged and loves what they do.
Encouraging your agents to follow their passion can help inspire them to continue growing and learning about the industry. As technologies, services, and clients change, it is important to keep track of the goals of the agency and understand how that relates to your employees. Here are some tips to create a climate that will motivate your team to do their best work and follow their dreams in the process:
- Care about the concerns and desires of your employees by taking the time to talk to them.
- Excite your employees by establishing a community vision that has a purpose and clear goal.
- Be a role model by maintaining a positive attitude.
- Communicate with everyone respectfully to continue building strong relationships within the agency.
- Provide employees with the opportunity to be creative. This will challenge them and help them stay motivated.
- Show that you care about your employees’ success by providing them with trainings and opportunities for growth.
- Help everyone find a suitable work/life balance. The last thing you want is for them to become burnt out and struggle with their work.
- Engage their hearts by helping them fulfill their purpose and by showing them appreciation.
- Establishing this kind of connection can help them discover their passion.
- Listen to the ideas and suggestions your team presents to you with an open mind.
- Offer constructive feedback regularly and ask for feedback so everyone can improve.
As a leader, you must be inspiring to your employees. The level of engagement you establish with your agents will help everyone achieve their goals. In addition, your clients will notice the difference and feel much more comfortable working with an insurance agency that is passionate about their work and lives. Discovering what strengths everyone brings to the table can help your business move towards a future that is bright and positive!
Posted in Uncategorized by .
New month, new social media topics! I’m here with another round of social media ideas.
1. Kick off the month of May with a quote! Example: “The world’s favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May.” -Edwin Way Teale
2. May the 4th be with you! Post a picture or movie quote for all of your Star Wars fans.
3. May 4th CALL TO ACTION: Star Wars or Star Trek? THINK FAST!
4. Cinco de Mayo deserves a post! Why not post a recipe for one of your favorite Mexican dishes?
5. What are you blogging about this month? Whatever it is that you are writing about, be sure to share it on your Facebook and Twitter page.
6. CALL TO ACTION: How are you getting in shape for summer?
7. Oh, summer love! Summer weddings are very popular. Take this opportunity to showcase your wedding and newlywed insurance packages. Provide a link back to your website!
8. May 8th is World Red Cross Day. Be an advocate and promote the organization on your social media pages. You may encourage locals in the community to donate or volunteer this month.
9. Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 12th! Remind your fans and followers to get their mothers a heartfelt card.
10. May 16th is Wear Purple for Peace Day. Your agency can participate in this and encourage others to do the same. Be sure to take pictures around the office and post them, too!
11. May is National Photograph Month. Take a few artsy pictures around the office and post them on Facebook!
12. Happy Memorial Day on May 27th!
13. Insurance Reminder: Is your boat insured for the summer season? Now would be a good time for clients to check-in. Include a link to your website.
14. Is your office decorating for spring? Take photos around the office and post them. This is a nice way to give clients and potential clients a sneak peek into your office life. Company culture posts are great!
15. Since is it National Barbecue Month, post one of your favorite BBQ recipes.
Now that you have the hot topics for the month, it’s time to sign on and get social. If any of your posts receive multiple likes, shares, RTs or hits, be sure to share your success in the comment section. We love to hear about what’s working!
Posted in Social Media by .
Do you have a workplace culture that values both your employees and your customers? It is important to show all those that are dedicated to your services that you care about them. So why not treat them like family? Encouraging a family-like atmosphere can allow for more productivity, create warmth in the office, and enhance your overall service.
Wondering how you can learn to treat your employees and clients like family? Here are some principles you can use to lead your team and better support your community:
- Establish open communication by holding regular meetings and having a open door policy with employees. In addition, find reasons to celebrate as a team and ensure all members are included.
- Don’t run your insurance agency like it is made up of robots. Allow your staff to have breaks, recharge, and reconnect as a team. This can be a form of “family time”, which can extend outside of work and into social events.
- Show your agents and customers that you genuinely care about their needs.
- Take the time to listen to everyone, understand their objectives, and help them remain engaged.
- Treat employees fairly and provide them with support so they can feel empowered and confident when serving clients.
- Strive for happy customers and happy employees so a great customer experience can always be delivered from your agency.
- As a leader, you should also take ownership and responsibility for your actions to show everyone is on the same playing field. Being accountable for your own performance can make others feel more comfortable working with you.
- Lead with kindness and intention by having everyone’s back and always offering a helping hand.
Performance is based on a variety of standards, but understanding what it takes for your agency to become a close knit family can translate into satisfied customers. Defining what your company stands for can help establish expectations. These core values should be embraced in order to build a trusted culture that is fair and inviting for customers. Doing so can help operations run more smoothly, efficiently, and feel much more meaningful!
Posted in Blogging Social Media by .
Apr 13
15
Blog Away the Whole Month of May!
Blog away all May – that is our motto here! Keeping up with your blogging schedule may start to get tougher as the months get warmer. However, it must be done! To help you along, we have another 10 topics to tackle.
Without further adieu…
#1: The month of May is National Blood Pressure Month! This will make for a great health insurance post.
#2: Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner. You can blog about the holiday’s history, party safety tips, party ideas and much more.
#3: May 8th is World Red Cross Day. Dedicate a blog post to this amazing organization. You can share ways that your community can get involved and support a local Red Cross facility.
#4: Many homeowners may begin to clean out their pools for the summer season during this month. Write up a post offering cleaning tips and pool safety. If you want to relate this post to insurance, you can discuss pool liabilities. Example post: The Pros and Cons of a Pool on Your Property
#5: Prom season has arrived! Many parents may be worried about their teen driving to and from the prom. Ease their worries with a helpful post about safe driving tips.
#6: May is National Barbecue Month. It’s time to break out the grill! Hey, not so fast – write a blog about grill safety tips to ensure a safe grilling season for all.
#7: Many young adults are graduating from college. Now is a good time to focus on renters insurance – many may be finding a place of their own instead of moving back home.
#8: Summer weddings will be coming up! Dedicate a blog post to wedding tips, advice and ideas. You can even incorporate your wedding or newlywed insurance solutions.
#9: May 15th is National Employee Health and Fitness Day. Many businesses take health initiatives serious to keep employees in tip top shape. Consider writing a post that will give business owners ideas to improve health in the workplace and of course, link it to group health benefits and perks!
#10: May 31st is World No Tobacco Day. This is a great excuse to blog about the harmful effects of tobacco and smoking cigarettes. You can write tips to quit or tie this day into life insurance. Those who smoke will pay a higher premium!
Do you have any genius ideas for May blog posts? We want to hear about them! Be sure to leave us a comment before you head off to write your own post. Also, come back in a few weeks for MAY SOCIAL!
Posted in Blogging by .
Want more tips and tricks on how blogging for your agency can help? Leave your email here!
