Archive for July, 2010

How To Keep Your Car Insurance Leads Organized

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

Storing and keeping your car insurance leads organized is not an easy task. Many sales professionals struggle to keep their qualified leads, data, and detailed notes sorted and protected. Simple techniques, however, can help you keep your leads better organized, leading to more successful cold calls and more sales. There are a variety of tested methods that can help you successfully corral your leads. Most of these strategies involve using software or other means of technology, as these are the most sophisticated applications available on the market today.

One of the most popular methods for the storage of sales leads and contacts is through the use of a CRM, or customer relationship management system. These systems are extremely intuitive, and can store whatever information you choose to enter about a potential customer. From basic data such as name and address to more detailed information, such as features on their vehicles, these systems are designed to make accessing your car insurance leads simple. Most organizations can implement a CRM system fairly easily, and many of the popular providers will even provide training for your sales staff. These solutions can also provide additional features and benefits, such as timekeeping solutions, personnel data storage, call logs, and accounting systems. Other software providers can customize your CRM system to allow you to place purchase orders and create new client accounts to streamline setup and billing. Highly sophisticated solutions can integrate with web portals, allowing your new customers to access their accounts online to pay bills, renew policies, and add new vehicles and drivers.

Some insurance salesmen prefer to keep their qualified leads in a spreadsheet. This enables them to continuously sort, track, and manage data without having to learn a new computer system. While this is not the most effective method of storing leads, using spreadsheets is actually a great tool for organizing contact information. Using the various sort and formula tools, you can determine which leads will be most beneficial to call first. For instance, if your qualified leads have indicated a timeframe in which they are looking to purchase a policy, you can use the sort function to list these contacts in order, from soonest to latest, helping you to categorize your potential sales. If you use this method, however, be sure to keep your spreadsheet's password protected, or use another method of security, in order to keep this sensitive data safe.

Making sure your leads are organized and detailed will ensure that you are able to correctly and quickly address potential customers' needs, helping you to more effectively close sales. This will help you meet, maintain and exceed your sales targets for many months to come.

Knowing Where Your Competitors Find Their Car Insurance Leads

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

For a car insurance agent, the success or failure of their business ultimately relies on not only their ability to generate car insurance leads, but to generate the best leads in an area. With minimal effort, any agent can create a substantial set of leads, but the quality will often be suspect. Ideally, the leads should be ones that are interested not only in buying, but in buying soon, and that have friends or families that they will be able to recommend the agent's services to. For many agents, it can be frustrating to watch the best leads in their town or city constantly snapped up by a particular person or agency, and it can often lead to the question of where exactly these leads are coming from. Fortunately, they're not that hard to find.

The first place most agents are getting their car insurance leads from is a new wave of online websites. Many state governments will now sell lists of their registered voters to independent companies who in turn research and sell consumer information to car insurance agents and independent contractors. The most important thing done by successful agents who utilize these services is to be very picky about the type of websites they use. It is important to first test out the leads provided by these websites to ensure that they are not only reliable, but will lead to eventual sales. Agents who are able to convert online lead sites into sales numbers are those that take the time to do their research and find providers that not only offer reasonable rates, but do not sell leads to more than one agent, and offer guarantees about their information.

Another way in which the competition manages to find the best leads is by being active in the community. Most consumers have a natural and sometimes active dislike for insurance agents, often believing that they exist only to make a profit, and do not have the best interests of the customer at heart. While most agents do not exactly fit this mold, there are a few that have caused the propagation of this belief, and for that reason a reputable agent must do everything they can to demonstrate that they are a valuable and interested part of the general community. Those agents that take a hand in community functions, either by providing monetary donations or by giving their own time, will often find that they are on the receiving end of the best leads in the area.

By focusing on well-researched web leads and those already available in the community, any agent can begin the process of catching up with their competitors and finding their own great car insurance leads.

Two New Places To Find Valuable Car Insurance Leads

Saturday, July 10th, 2010

Agents should know that potentially profitable car insurance leads are virtually right at their fingertips. New lead locations run wild through the internet and are eager to offer you advice, at a price. It's up to you to check out these various lead providers and decide which best fits your financial needs.

Some car insurance lead sellers offer money back guarantees. That's a good selling point, but it also carries an implied admission that not all leads are solid. So don't hesitate to question a lead sellers' claims. Be wary of any claims. Some lead sellers have been known to deliver inaccurate or falsified information.

Considering that their success relies heavily on an agent's success, there shouldn't be any problem in obtaining the information you need to compare various lead sellers. There are a number of ways to find auto insurance leads. But nothing beats the marketing power of an online auto insurance lead provider. That is borne out by the fact that the majority of auto insurance sales are the result of online searching by potential customers.

The majority of drivers are pleased with their insurance coverage, although there is a significant number who periodically look to compare premium costs and services. These are potential customers and they show up as insurance leads once they respond to a television or direct marketing device. The really good insurance lead providers use programs that can weed out nuisance callers. Their efforts actually increase the likelihood that a potential customer will become a paying customer.

Providing new lead locations are part and parcel of the lead sellers' product. Some sellers set their bid prices based on zip codes. Agents can bid on leads found in one area and, if necessary, can change their bids and where they want to do business without any added charge.

As in any business, word of mouth referrals are a prime way to attract car insurance clients. The key to getting those referrals is to have a solid clientele, which is where insurance lead providers come in. The good lead firms come up with valuable leads that make it easier for insurance agents to make the sale. And each sale is potentially a satisfied customer who will spread the word.

Probably no other insurance is in the same demand as car insurance. Most states have laws requiring drivers be insured. That's a huge market that motivates an attendant vigorous competition. Successful agents will focus on the tools needed to attract business. Auto insurance leads are one of the more important items an agent can add to his business portfolio.

The Value of Social Networking For Car Insurance Leads

Friday, July 9th, 2010

For any car insurance agent, the value of social contact cannot be overstated. A large part of the process of car insurance leads generation and eventual sales is the communication that takes place between the agent and their clients, and it is important that an agent possess the social skills necessary to not only make a client feel welcome and appreciated, but that they are also able to clearly communicate policy details and payment expectations, all the while making sure that their customer feels comfortable. Agents that know their paperwork but are unable to make real connections with their clients, will always lag behind in terms of sales, because despite the prevalence of online insurance quotes and rates, the business is still an ultimately personal one. While agents can often feel stymied by the existence of online quotes, there is something to be said for using that same medium to further the process of lead generation. For many agents, social networking sites can be used to not only generate future leads, but maintain relationships with current ones.

The insurance industry long resisted the pull of technology, but is now fully caught up in the online business expanse. Agents must also make this leap if they want to stay both current and ahead of the competition, and social networking sites are a great way to do this. Take Facebook as an example. Creating a simple company profile or group and inviting all prospective and current clients to join it can help not only organize leads, but show where new ones might come from. The site can then be used to send clients messages, communicate information about the business, and generally ensure that the community does not forget about their friendly neighborhood agent.

Another great option for generating car insurance leads is to create a Twitter feed. Again, many agents shy away from this technique, but it can be very beneficial. The terse nature of Twitter statements – only 140 characters at maximum, means that information must be communicated succinctly, and those that follow the twitter will not have to spend large amounts of their time reading. This allows an agent to talk about special deals or promotions, or provide quick updates about their availability or the state of the company. This helps to keep client and agent connected, and gives new leads a reason to both follow the Tweets and eventually make a purchase.

Using social networking sites properly can help enhance the status of an agent in both the online and local community, so long as the agent remains client and business focused, and is diligent about maintaining their sites and feeds. Done correctly, quality car insurance leads can be the result.

Two Ways To Self Generate Great Car Insurance Leads

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

For any car insurance agent, the number and quality of car insurance leads generated directly impacts the number of sales made and thus the success of the business. Even in a corporate setting, lead generation is often left in the hands of the individual agent, and many struggle with finding not only good leads, but with where to begin looking for them. Many traditional markets have been tapped out, and online markets, such as lead generation websites, can often lead to more problems than they solve, especially if the leads provided are not exclusive or well-researched. For any up-and-coming car insurance agent, the skill to acquire self generated leads is one that is essential to master, but here are two ways to make that process a little simpler and just a bit more streamlined.

First, talk to current clients. Many agents become so focused on the current sale that they neglect to think ahead to the potential leads that their current client can provide. So long as they are dedicated to stellar service and the satisfaction of their customer, that same customer should have no problem recommending them to friends and family. If a lead pans out, it is a good chance that their friends and family think in a similar way to them, and will have similar purchasing habits. This yields a pool of qualified leads, so long as the agent is delicate in accessing it. Pushing too hard for a client to pass on a card or phone number may still mean a single sale, but will result in a loss of future ones due to high-pressure post-sale tactics.

A second way to generate viable car insurance leads is to be visible in the community. Many agents become so focused on the online aspect of the job, coupled with the high workload that often comes with the process of creating self generated leads that they begin to neglect their local community, and this in turn can lead to a sense of mistrust among locals that “just another car agent” operates in the area. By being active with local charities, churches, and sports groups, either by volunteering time or sponsoring a team or group monetarily, an agent can get their name and their product out to their community in a way that is non-threatening and speaks to trust and commitment. This, in turn, can lead to a substantial amount of self generated leads that will actually show potential.

By both talking to current clients and demonstrating an interest in the community around them, car insurance agents can not only generate their own leads, but generate quality leads that will in turn lead to even more business in the area.

Three Ways To Know A Lead Site Is Not Legitimate

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

Good car insurance leads are hard to find, and many salespeople look to the Internet for a steady source of active leads. There are many car insurance lead websites out there, and they vary greatly in quality. Every sales professional should know how to find out whether a certain lead site is legitimate.

The first thing to look at when approaching a car insurance lead site is the language that the website uses. Most will describe their car insurance leads as “qualified,” but this is a very general, very difficult to define term. Ideally, a qualified lead is a lead that has been evaluated and could potentially result in a sale. The phone number isn’t dead, and the customer on the other end of the line fits a certain profile. Any good lead site should be able to tell a salesperson how their company works to qualify each lead. They should be able to go into detail as to how each lead is found, what disqualifies a lead, and how they check numbers without contacting each lead individually. It’s very important for a website to make some effort to explain their process. If they don’t, it may be because they don’t have a process–and their car insurance leads aren’t actually “qualified” at all. You can usually decide whether this is the case by viewing the website of the lead company and looking for suspect terms. Read their FAQ. If their description of their process seems purposely confusing and filled with general, big-picture terms, watch out.

Another way to find out whether your lead site is legitimate is to look at lead success percentages. These can also be figured in a number of ways, so don’t look at the “rates of success” posted by many sites; look at how they figure these rates of success, and whether or not they guarantee a certain number of active leads. Guarantees are good; they show that a lead company is confident in its abilities and willing to back that confidence up. Be sure to read the language surrounding the guarantee, though.

Finally, look for reviews of their services. Reviews are the ultimate way to gauge whether car insurance leads from a certain website will be legitimate. Your fellow salespeople often rate lead websites or discuss them in sales forums, and these reviews can be an invaluable way to find new sources for your sales calls. Beware of paid reviews, and be willing to ask other salespeople questions. You’ll likely find a few great car insurance lead sites to keep your sales up for years to come.

What To Do With An Insurance Lead That Does Not Pan Out

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

Sometimes, a car insurance lead simply won’t turn out well. The lead might pick up the phone, discuss car insurance, and even express interest, but when the time comes to make a sale, he or she will back off. This can be very frustrating to salespeople, as there’s nothing worse than a dead lead. However, every lead can be valuable–even those that don’t pan out. They simply require some positive, immediate action on the part of the salesperson.

The first thing that all car insurance salespeople must learn is to not push a sale past the lead’s breaking point. If the lead ends up frustrated with the salesperson, nobody wins, and there’s no possible way to get any value out of the dead lead. However, if a salesperson backs off after sensing that a sale isn’t going to happen, it opens a number of doors. The salesperson can offer to send the lead some information on different types of coverage, or offer some other kind of free promotional tool. This keeps the relationship going between the salesperson and the lead. Even if the car insurance lead never needs car insurance–which is, of course, very unlikely–he or she may be able to recommend a friend or family member. Many consumers are tired of receiving car insurance sales calls, though, so a light touch is essential.

Another idea that works especially well for new car insurance salespeople is to ask a dead lead whether it’s alright to call back in a few months. Asking for the lead’s permission shows respect to their privacy, and most people won’t object to a casual call every now and then. Remember that even the deadest of dead leads might eventually spark back up. Even if you’ve got a potential client that doesn’t drive, all of that could change in a few months. You’ll also increase your chances of getting references by building a friendly, casual rapport with your lead. Don’t make them think that the phone call is work–assure them that you’re trying to help them save money, and keep your phone calls quick and to the point. Long term follow up is crucial to any salesperson’s career.

Finally, even a dead lead can be used as a form of practice. Every phone call that you make will hone your skills and make it easier to read a client’s mood. Be patient, and expect a few bad phone calls. Build off of your sales instincts, and remember that the one instinct you should never trust is the one telling you to give up on a certain car insurance lead.