THE HARDENING MARKET: PROBLEM OR OPPORTUNITY? by Jack Burke I never sold an insurance policy in my life, unless you include Credit Life insurance and Automotive Extended Care c...

When it comes to marketing, all too many agents are sinners. Many agents focus on the single client or prospect...

THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS OF MARKETING Craig Shields, president, Direct Marketing Agency, Inc., Irvine, CA, recently identified seven categories of basic mistakes that make marketing expensive, wasteful,...

It's amazing to think that the first commercial radio station didn't go on the air until 1920 -- KDKA in Pittsburgh for trivia buffs. From that modest beginning, radio has grown to be a ubiquitous presence in our lives.

It wakes you up in the morning and gives you the news. You get in the car, and you probably turn on the radio. It goes to the beach, the ballpark, and the office. It gives everything from "heavy metal" to talk shows to Bach.

USE CUSTOMER-FOCUSED WORDS FOR MORE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION by Richard Barry With the deluge of advertising that the average consumer encounters today, its more vital than ever to make...

USING PUBLICITY TO ENHANCE YOUR AGENCY'S IMAGE by LuNell Gilliland As money gets tight, many agencies instinctively react by cutting back advertising. To save money, they decrease the si...

WHAT BRANDING IS NOT by Patricia Berry Developing a consistent message is difficult when consumers can share their exp...

WHAT DO CUSTOMERS WANT? by Chris Burand Visitors to www.ebix.com , an insurance portal Web site, were asked what their top concern was in purchasing insurance. As many as 56% of respond...

Now is the season to be on the lookout for the thieves. In rocky economic times, they come out to prey on companies eager to hold on to current customers and find new ones, introduce new products and services, or simply increase their market share.