Find out how to succeed in insurance sales and enjoy a profitable and fulfilling career.
If you’re new to the industry, you might be wondering how to succeed in insurance sales. The truth is that it can take time to build a career with a solid roster of clients. This is a highly competitive industry, and the best salespeople always look for new leads and closing techniques. However, with a little hard work and determination, you can make a name for yourself in this industry and generate more revenue.
But hard work and determination need a direction. After all, working hard at the wrong task won’t get you very far. With that in mind, here are some of the important steps you can take to learn how to succeed in insurance sales as a new agent.
6 Tips for Newbies Learning How to Succeed in Insurance Sales
1. Learn the Basics
Before you can learn how to succeed in insurance sales, you must understand the basics of the industry. Read up on policies, different types of coverage, and regulations to familiarize yourself with the products you sell. If you can, befriend a veteran salesperson. They can give you invaluable insights into what has made them successful and the current markets you service. Don’t be afraid to ask your sales manager questions. A good sales manager will appreciate you taking the initiative. You want to save your sales managers time, so be punctual and keep a list of questions to ask them handy.
Remember, you also have access to the internet. You have a nearly infinite resource of websites and videos. YouTube is filled with insurance sales seminars and talks. Be a sponge and absorb as much information as you can.
2. Set Goals
Setting goals will help you stay motivated and focused on the tasks at hand. Think of realistic goals you can arrange for yourself, such as the number of calls to make each week or leads to close per month. Knowing your targets will make tracking your progress and measuring your success in insurance sales easier. Once again, check with your sales manager to see what realistic goals you can set for yourself.
This is also an excellent opportunity to start using a task management system. There are tons of them, so you’ll need to experiment to see which fits your personality. For example, you could use something as robust as Getting Thing Done by David Allen or as simple as the Eisenhower Matrix.
3. Network
Take advantage of networking opportunities like trade shows, conferences, and seminars to build relationships with other professionals in the industry. These connections can open doors for you and help you succeed in the business. By expanding your professional network, you’ll also have access to more potential clients.
This is also an excellent opportunity to join local organizations and clubs that may give you access to people who could become leads. Don’t be afraid of volunteering. You’ll be helping a good cause and interacting with local community leaders who could open doors for you.
4. Listen to Your Prospects
One of the best ways to succeed in insurance sales is to listen closely to your prospects and leads. By understanding their needs, you can provide better solutions and tailor your services appropriately. Be sure to ask questions and take notes so that you can remember what they’ve said and follow up with them later.
As a new salesperson, you are eager to chat up your prospects immediately. It can be hard to contain your excitement to close a deal. We’ve seen too many salespeople get so excited that they talk their way out of the agreement. Take a deep breath, don’t rush, and actively listen to what they say.
5. Stay Upbeat
Stay upbeat even if you fail to close a sale. A sunny disposition will also make it easier for you to bounce back from setbacks and remain motivated to succeed in insurance sales. This also means getting comfortable with cold calling and following up with leads.
6. Following Up
One of the best practices a new salesperson can get into is the art of following up. When we say art, we mean relentlessly following up with every prospect and lead. Call everyone back until you get a firm answer. It would be best if you always were professional and cheery but never failed to follow up. We’ve heard many stories of salespeople who spent months following up with one customer until the deal finally closed.
Keep A Steady Stream of Leads
It’s no secret that the more quotes you send, the higher your close rate will be. At HBW Leads, we qualify warm insurance phone leads exclusive to you. Our service is fantastic for new salespeople who don’t have a ton of phone sales experience. Talk with your sales manager about signing up for HBW Leads today!
With our exclusive qualified leads, you’ll be able to spend less time prospecting and more time doing what matters – like selling policies. Sign up for HBW Leads today!