7 Marketing Ideas
Marketing can be difficult. It’s hard to think of new unique ideas to keep you and your agency fresh. Check out these 7 tips on how to update your marketing plan!
1. Create unique business cards: Insurance can produce some pretty conservative business cards, which isn’t bad, but if you want to stand out from the crowd, take a look at some of these ideas. I know some of these definitely are too creative for our industry, but it gets your mind thinking outside the box!
2. Ask for referrals: I know this may not seem like a marketing idea on it’s front, but you are marketing yourself when you ask for a referral. When asking, it’s best to phrase it in a non-direct way. One idea is to ask, “If you liked what I did for you and know of anyone who could use my services, please pass along my card.”.
3. Get online: If you do not have a website or it needs updating and are not on social media sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn, make it one of your goals for 2012. The first thing I do when researching a company is Google them. If they do not have a web presence, I move on to another company. Don’t get passed over for such a small reason! Make sure you are visible!
4. Do one-on-one enrolments for your groups: When you enroll a group health policy, sit down with each employee to explain benefits. This accomplishes a few goals. First, you get to know each employee and create relationships. You embed yourself into that group, increasing your retention. Second, you can cross sell other lines of coverage to that employee. Adding a baby onto the group health plan? Maybe it’s time for life insurance! See that an employee just got a new car? Maybe you can save him money on his auto coverage! Instead of knocking on doors for new clients, expand the business relationships you have with your existing ones.
5. Be part of events in your community close to your passion: If you are into animals, volunteer at an animal shelter. If you love cars, host or attend a car meet. Make yourself visible to the people you are able to connect with by sharing common interests. People buy insurance from people they like, so find your niche, have some fun, and in the end you will grow your business.
6. Be unique when you are prospecting: Whether you are prospecting door-to-door or on the phone, be unique in your presentation. If you are in-person, take advantage of the season, dress in something other than a suit and tie so you stand out and your prospects remember you! Come up with a creative script or opening line when on the phone.
7. Be creative with your marketing: Not all insurance marketing has to be insurance based. Especially when you are thinking about your goals for your social network, you want to make your online space unique. I have one agent who creates Facebook Fan pages for local stores or groups, and by doing that, gets her name in front of her clients in a unique way. If you cater to a certain industry, see if they have a group on LinkedIn to meet, ask questions, and discuss their businesses. If they don’t, create one and invite them there. Make your space a place they go where they get the benefit and you will get brand and name recognition.
Just remember to break out of the traditional insurance marketing mold. Look at other industries and those successful with marketing and replicate what they are doing. Most importantly, have fun. When you have fun, other people notice and want to be around you!
There are many things that can fill your day. Between work, errands, getting ready for a Holiday, it seems like we can be on a never ending treadmill of life. Things keep coming a million miles an hour and we start to question, “What am I doing this all for?”.
