Find out what it takes to succeed in this industry as an independent insurance agent.
Being an independent insurance agent is no walk in the park. Recent agency statistics show that these professionals have found worthy rivals in affiliated agents and direct response companies over the past years. So, how can you achieve your targets with the industry’s stiff competition?
The key is to hone your strengths and improve your weaknesses. Read on to discover the attributes you can work on to take your business to new heights.
Discover 7 traits every independent insurance agent needs to succeed
1. Passionate
Being passionate about your work as an agent means feeling intense enthusiasm for what you do. This emotion can be the difference between loving your job and struggling with it every day.
When you love what you do, you build your knowledge, recognize growth opportunities, and help clients and prospects out as much as you can.
Part of your role as an agent is to keep your passion alive despite performing repetitive tasks. It’s the guiding force that will lead you toward success.
2. Focused
As an independent insurance agent, you sell policies from different carriers instead of a single company. For this reason, you have your work cut out for you. Every day, you have to balance your time between prospecting, reviewing products, settling claims, and so on.
It’s best to stay on top of all your tasks by creating a daily schedule. Doing so will help you boost your productivity, complete all your duties on time, and allocate enough time for high-value activities.
3. Persistent
The word no is not something insurance agents want to hear, but a no in sales doesn’t mean a lost sale forever. It takes an average of eight touchpoints to land a meeting with a prospect and even more to close a deal.
If you want to transform your business, it’s essential to build the persistence to capture, nurture, and convert leads. Learn how to handle rejection well and identify common insurance objections that could turn into business opportunities.
4. Honest
Honesty is one of the most important characteristics any independent insurance agent can have. No matter what happens, be truthful at all times. Explain your products and services the way they really are without overpromising anything. Telling a lie — even a seemingly harmless one — could compromise your credibility and any chance of closing a deal.
Even if you make mistakes, it’s okay. If you address your errors instead of lying about them, you can still save your professional relationships.
5. Empathetic
Empathy is the ability to share other people’s feelings. This characteristic allows you to understand prospects’ thoughts, motivations, and pain points. If you can put yourself in another person’s shoes, you can recommend the best products and services for them.
Contrary to popular belief, empathy is not innate in all top agents. It’s something you can strengthen through training and practice. For example, spending more time talking to people will help you analyze verbal and nonverbal cues better.
6. Goal-Oriented
Setting goals is vital to your success as an agent. Having a clear vision of your objectives motivates you, unlocks your potential, and helps you track your progress. Remember to update your daily, weekly, monthly, and annual goals, from closing a certain number of deals to hitting incentive targets to finding right-fit clients.
Being goal-oriented inspires you to do whatever it takes to reach your objectives. The best salespeople not only set goals; they achieve them too.
7. Confident
Confidence is a critical component of success, especially in the insurance industry, where prospects look for knowledgeable agents. When you exude confidence, potential clients equate it to your competence.
Think about it this way. If you need to consult the internet or another agent every time prospects ask questions, how will they invest in you and your products? Reputable agents can confidently explain what they offer and how it can benefit clients.
If you want to improve your confidence, then enhance your industry knowledge, always speak your mind, and do your best in everything you do. Doing so will help you stand out among other agents.
Are you ready to become a standout insurance agent?
Our lead specialists handle the tedious task of cold calling potential policyholders. We never send agents internet leads or individuals who leave bogus information online. Get in touch with us now to grow your business at an impressive pace.
One last tip: Use your resources wisely. For example, instead of spending most of your day looking for potential clients, you can request a personalized lead package from HBW Leads. At HBW Leads, we provide agents with exclusive double-verified quality prospects.