All bananas taste the same. But when the banana has that little blue sticker on it consumers are immediately attracted to it. Why? Differentiating the way you brand your agency and market your particular skills can give you the edge you need in today’s competitive insurance environment.

Most agents find themselves in one of two categories.  Either you work with Property and Casualty lines of business or you are a Life and Health agent.  Occasionally there is some crossover but for the most part agents usually work within their respective specialties.  Excluding captive agencies, the number of independent P&C agencies across the United States is well over 38,000.  With each agency relying on its agents to bring in new business it makes individuality or specialization a necessity to stand out from the crowd.  Consumers are relying on internet searches, social media, and other internet resources to find agents.  Using CompleteMarkets to create that unique image or brand is a great way to increase your exposure to new clients.  Our network of agents and wholesalers is the leading website in our industry.  CompleteMarkets connects more agents with specialty insurance programs than any other website in existence.  How does this help the average agent?  It’s as easy as ABC.

With a minimal amount of effort on your part you can start to differentiate yourself from your peers and attract more clients.  It is not as hard as you think.  Take a few minutes from your day and tour the CompleteMarkets website.  If you need help there is a customer service agent there ready to offer assistance.  Just click the Online Chat button at the top of every page and you will be connected.

To ensure you are in the loop on all CompleteMarkets news and updates subscribe to our blog today.

How many trade publications does your agency subscribe too?  If you’re like my office you probably have a couple industry journals for your agents to read and a few non-industry magazines for the customers in the lobby.  For most of us the internet is our main source for content, training, and to stay in touch with changes within the industry.  We follow forums that are specific to our interests and our area of expertise.  But as access to this information becomes more available via email, internet or traditional format does the value we put on our market knowledge decrease?  I can Google a specific product type and in a few hours have at least a working knowledge of what I am talking about.  So is our market knowledge just a commodity purchased with our time but easily recreated by our competitors?  What will help to maintain our competitive advantage in the industry?  Will it be speed, price, or access to better information?  And where can I get all of those tools in one location?  Fortunately one website does offer all of this and more.  

CompleteMarkets provides its agents the ability to search markets, connect and exchange ideas with peers, view premium content from professional consultants and experts within our industry and more.

Search engines provide an agent with suggestions or lead you towards the place you are searching for but they lack the ability to connect you with the correct person or product you want immediately. (at least for now)  By logging into CompleteMarkets you can perform the same search, let’s say for a wholesaler who provides coverages for a Taxicab company, and have the same results as the search engine but in addition you will be able, with just a click of the mouse, to have a quote form instantly populate with your information and get quotes from several competing providers working to get YOUR business.

CompleteMarkets also offers you the opportunity to connect with your peers for idea exchanges, discussions on changes to your industry, or read up on a subject that interests you from our vast online library.  The value to you is that all these products and services are included with your membership for free.  Convenient, affordable, and efficient are just a few ways to describe the benefits of joining CompleteMarkets.

By joining today you will have access to everything mentioned above and membership is completely free for agents. To ensure you are in the loop on all CompleteMarkets news and updates subscribe to our blog today.

Last week the IRS issued its finalized rules for the ‘individual mandate’ portion of the Affordable Care Act, also referred to as Obamacare.  Although the changes had little effect on the overall program, the decision had an overwhelming impact on the ongoing debate over mandatory health insurance.  Garnishing 40,000 views in the first hour the topic was trending immediately upon its release.  Obamacare is a front and center topic within the Insurance Industry and illustrates an important aspect of our business – The need to stay connected.

As an insurance agent you spend most of your time searching for quotes and information that makes you an expert within your area of expertise. By combining all of these functions into one website, CompleteMarkets is your perfect business solution.  CompleteMarkets offers you the ability to interact with your peers through discussion boards, as well as a market search tool for agents to find the exact kind of coverages that your customers need. And, in addition to the searching capabilities and social networking, CompleteMarkets also delivers a superior content library with a multitude of authors contributing articles specific to your needs and interests.  You can search by a topic, an author, or a keyword and find articles that can assist your agency needs.  There are over 1,200 different articles and more are added every day.

No other company of its type even comes close to the reputation that CompleteMarkets has within the Insurance Industry.

Finally, by joining CompleteMarkets you are instantly connected with other agents and can receive updates on topics that may interest you through group memberships and discussion forums.  This allows you to follow a topic and receive email notifications when updates occur.  As an insurance agent there are times when a current event or hot topic requires you to get up to date information and being connected to CompleteMarkets offers you everything you need to know in a timely and efficient way.

By joining today you will have access to everything mentioned above and membership is completely free for agents. To ensure you are in the loop on all CompleteMarkets news and updates subscribe to our blog today.

Riots in Egypt, Pirates in Somalia, and city officials in San Diego all with unusual risks that need underwriting.  Although this is less than 1% of the industry that needs to be shopping for insurance, it does raise the question, “Where do you go to find your clients hard to find coverages?”

A recent headline from www.businessinsurance.com titled “Egypt: Authorities in talks over expanding insurance cover against riots” discusses the role of insurance carriers insuring in an area struck by recent political instability and riots.  The article points out that only 3% of those affected are covered for this type of loss.  Maritime organizations have also felt the pressure of piracy on the high seas.  Most carry tradition cargo insurance but now what about hostage insurance?  And finally, the beleaguered mayor from San Diego. Bob Filner.  For the 18th time an accuser has spoken out against the mayor’s alleged harassment while still in office.  Many companies have a policy for sexual harassment but how many carry insurance for it?

As the agent, you have to be prepared for any type of risk that your clients may need.  From your day to day policy to the unique.  CompleteMarkets has for years been known as the leading source for niche insurance carriers.  Today, CompleteMarkets is so much more than that.  It is still the leading internet site for niche insurance, but now you can also search our extensive library of premium content, connect with peers, and market your agency’s specialized business lines.

To ensure you are in the loop on all CompleteMarkets news and updates subscribe to our blog today.

I recently had the privilege of reading an article by Allan Rosca entitled “Is the Internet About to Put Insurance Agents out of Business? (with the Help of the Insurance Companies)”  It sparked quite a lively debate with many pro’s and con’s as to how our industry will evolve or die.  Technology has saved countless hours of my day that used to be spent waiting for the mail to arrive, sorting it, distributing it and then reading it.   It has increased the productivity in our office and in our business.  But what about the agent that hasn't adapted to this change?  The Baby Boomers or the Generation X group of individuals that reluctantly have had technology forced on to them.  They look with bewilderment at why people insist that if they don’t have the latest iPhone or gadget they will lose money.

Of those people who own smartphones, a recent study concluded that 79% of people 18-44 have their Smartphones with them 22 Hours a Day. The study goes on to say that, “49% of the entire U.S. population uses a smartphone. By 2017, the percent of smartphone users is expected to reach 68%.”   Internet access is free at many of the highest volume retailers and restaurants in the country.  Trying to find a place without Internet access is now the problem.  So as insurance agents how do you compete with a clicks -vs- brick industry?  What is your competitive advantage or value proposition in today’s economy?  One way to stay competitive is to connect differently than a decade ago.  Gone are the rolodex and stack of business cards in the drawer.  Today you have networking tools such as, social media, company websites, and email.   CompleteMarkets combines all these resources into one network.

Members of CompleteMarkets can search Insurance Carriers for difficult markets, send email campaigns, create storefronts, track leads, and access hundreds of articles from our library.  Free registration entitles the member to a convenient way of connecting with the people they do business with in a community that was created just for the insurance professional.  Other networking sites are specific to the interests of their members.  Facebook is a great place to see photos and update family and friends on your relationship status.  They are the leading social site.  LinkedIn has revolutionized the business networking community and has connected millions of users within their respective community interests.  But it lacks the ability for direct ecommerce.  It is also becoming “too big” or difficult to navigate due to the high number of users cluttering the groups and posting distracting content CompleteMarkets was designed specifically for agents who want to directly find quick results.  The peer to peer networking and social groups and discussion boards allow members to get advice or post content for others to comment on.   The searchable library offers informative articles written specifically for insurance agents who want to learn more about their industry.

Don’t get discouraged by the Internet.  Embrace the technology and find ways to incorporate it into your business plan.  The insurance industry is changing.  You either grow with it or you go.  CompleteMarkets is here to help you every step of the way.  Be the first in your office to unlock the secrets to success and become the “Go To” guy/gal for your specialty.

To ensure you are in the loop on all CompleteMarkets news and updates subscribe to our blog today.

These days anyone with internet access can be a content publisher.  As a busy Insurance agent, the amount of time you spend searching for “reliable” content may vary from 15 minutes a day to several hours.  Most of us generally have our favorites within a click of the mouse or subscribe to blogs, forums, or groups within our preferred internet networks.

But what qualifies as original content?  In the insurance world, reputation and credibility matter.  Many websites employ subject content specialists. A content specialist is and individual who develops content for the web in a variety of ways, generally involving writing and editing, as well as certain amount of web design in some cases.  The specific requirements to become a content specialist will vary based on the type of website for which an individual is creating content, and whether or not a great deal of specialized knowledge is required.

As one of the insurance industry’s leading providers of related content on the internet, CompleteMarkets provides something for everyone.  CompleteMarkets has over 290 contributing authors so whether you are a CSR or senior management the information will be beneficial to your success.

A few of our subject content specialists include:

Ms. Thomas is the founder and President of 21st Century Management Consulting. She specializes in the insurance industry.  Ms. Thomas has been a columnist for Rough Notes and The National Underwriter. She has authored many additional articles for numerous industry publications and published her first book on retention: Irresistible Business: Dazzling and Delighting Customers For Life! She has worked in the insurance industry for over 22 years with over 450 insurance companies and agencies.  Ms. Thomas is a nationally acclaimed, powerful, engaging and dynamic speaker on Client Retention issues. She is also an experienced, knowledgeable and pragmatic consultant with a proven track record of working with companies and agencies on their sales and Client Retention rates.

Jack Nordhaus has been with INSOMIS since 1977. He works with a "dream team" of more than 60 consultants to update the content of the IMMS.com library, and is responsible for providing informational resources and creative input to the IMMS team and CompleteMarkets users through his "News of the Day"   Dr. Nordhaus writes the monthly IMMS Online Newsletters and the Online Newsletter E-Mail Alert.  Jack holds a doctorate in History from Columbia University. 

Don Phin is an attorney, sought after speaker and long time contributor to IMMS/Complete Markets. He is the editor of the Your Employee Matters newsletter and President of HR That Works, a program used by more than 70 agencies nationwide to deliver HR services to prospects and clients.

 

Time is the only true asset that sales professionals actually own.  How you spend your time is just as important as how you spend your money.   

To ensure you are in the loop on all CompleteMarkets news and updates subscribe to our blog today.