When it comes to finding Medicare leads, most agents know the classics: direct mail, word of mouth, and educational seminars. But, if you really want to stand out and connect with prospects, sometimes it pays to try something unexpected.
From T-shirts to parades, we’ve rounded up 16 creative ways to generate Medicare leads that are perfect for agents looking to supplement their current strategy.
1. Try Wearable Marketing
One of the simplest ways to spark conversation is to wear your business proudly. Printing a T-shirt that says “Ask Me About Medicare” with your phone number or a QR code can make you approachable in everyday settings.
Whether you’re at the grocery store, walking your dog, or attending a community event, you’re giving people an easy invitation to connect. You could even hand out shirts to supportive friends or family members who are willing to wear them around town.
Just remember that when someone does approach you, you’ll need to follow proper permission to contact and Scope of Appointment procedures before diving into plan details.
2. Advertise with Car Magnets
Your car is one of the most visible tools you already own. Adding a removable car magnet with your contact information or a QR code transforms every errand, appointment, or commute into a lead-generation opportunity.
Adding a removable car magnet with your contact information or a QR code transforms every errand, appointment, or commute into a lead-generation opportunity.
Park your car in busy lots while you take a call or run into the store, and you’ve effectively turned it into a mini billboard. Since the magnets are removable, you can take them off any time you’d prefer to stay private.
3. Design a Parade Float
Parades are festive, community-driven events that draw diverse audiences. With a little creativity, a float can double as both entertainment and marketing.
Imagine rolling through a Halloween parade with a banner that reads, “Spooked at the Thought of Turning 65? Don’t Be. Call Your Local Medicare Resource!”
Or spreading cheer in December with a float that says, “Happy Holidays from Your Local Medicare Advisor. Let’s Find Peace of Mind This Season.”
These lighthearted, memorable touches showcase your personality while cementing your role as a helpful, approachable licensed Medicare professional.
Compliance reminder: Keep your messaging generic (focus on your role and services as an agent, not specific carriers, plans, or benefits). Also, be mindful of enrollment timeframes, as certain marketing activities are restricted. And of course, always follow CMS rules for Permission to Contact (PTC) and Scope of Appointment (SOA).
4. Set Up a Free Water Bottle Stand
Few things are more appreciated at community events than free refreshments.
Setting up a water stand at a 5K, parade, or local festival not only helps participants and attendees but also gives you an opportunity to hand out bottles labeled with your contact information.
Because the interaction is low pressure and generous, people are more likely to remember your name and think of you positively when it comes time to make a Medicare decision.
5. Create Yard Signs
If real estate agents and contractors can do it, why not you? A well-designed yard sign in your own lawn (or in a client’s yard with permission) shows your community that you’re active, trusted, and available.
Signs act as word-of-mouth marketing without the risk of details getting lost in translation.
Signs act as word-of-mouth marketing without the risk of details getting lost in translation. Neighbors notice when others recommend your services, and seeing your name around town can spark curiosity and conversations.
6. Donate Branded Merchandise
Merchandise with staying power is one of the quietest but most effective forms of marketing. A mug with your logo in a diner, a pen at a local bank, or even a donated T-shirt at a thrift store keeps your brand circulating in unexpected places.
Exclusive to actively selling Ritter agents, ShopRitterIM is an online marketplace filled with products that allow you to easily, affordably, and compliantly market your business.
These items travel far beyond your initial effort, often ending up in someone’s home where your name is seen repeatedly. That familiarity can tip the scales when someone needs Medicare help.
7. Educate Clients with Blogging
Your website can do more than list your contact information — it can become a hub of education. Writing blog posts about Medicare basics, turning-65 tips, or common mistakes helps you show up in Google searches and gives prospects a reason to trust your expertise.
Plus, you don’t have to start from scratch. Ritter’s Content Library gives you access to pre-approved, compliance-reviewed articles, infographics, emails, and more. You can post them directly to your site and socials or use them as inspiration for your own writing. It’s an easy way to stay consistent, build credibility, and keep your audience engaged all year long.
8. Explore PPC Advertising
Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising allows you to meet people right where they’re searching – online! With even a modest budget, you can target prospects in your zip code and send them straight to your website or PlanEnroll page.
Pay-per-click advertising allows you to meet people right where they’re searching.
PPC doesn’t have to be complicated, and you don’t need a massive spend to see results. Think of it as a supplement to your grassroots efforts, giving you more reach and the ability to track exactly which messages resonate with your audience.
If you don’t know where to start, we can help! Connect with Ritter’s Digital Marketing Manager, Matt Steltzer, and learn how to reach new clients.
9. Invest in a Billboard
Big, bold, and impossible to ignore, billboards can give you instant community visibility. Keep your messaging simple and direct: something like, “Turning 65? Call Your Local Medicare Agent” is clear, compliant, and effective.
While billboards require a larger investment, they reach thousands of people every day and quickly build name recognition.
10. Speak Out with Radio Ads
Radio might feel old-fashioned, but many seniors still tune in regularly, especially in the mornings or during midday programming.
According to Pew Research Center, adults 50 to 64 are the most likely to get news at least sometimes from radio, with about 55 percent saying they do this. This means it’s a great way to get in the ear of people getting close to Medicare age.
A warm, conversational ad that introduces you, explains your role, and shares how you help people navigate Medicare can establish trust. Just make sure to repeat your contact information at least twice so it sticks.
Over time, the familiarity of your voice can make prospects feel like they already know you.
11. Utilize Local Sponsorships
Sponsoring local activities puts your name in front of people in a positive, community-first way. Think of youth soccer jerseys with your logo, a banner at an adult softball game, or even recognition at a corn hole tournament at a local bar.
These types of sponsorships show that you’re invested in the community, not just in selling insurance. That goodwill often translates into referrals and inquiries.
12. Buy a Spot in a Magazine
Community magazines still have long lifespans—often sitting on coffee tables for weeks or months.
Each issue becomes a subtle reminder of your services while providing value in the form of lifestyle content.
Through partners like ReminderMedia, you can send co-branded magazines that feature your name and contact information throughout. It’s a professional, polished way to stay in front of clients and prospects without being pushy. Each issue becomes a subtle reminder of your services while providing value in the form of lifestyle content.
13. Form Affinity Partnerships
Many seniors belong to trusted groups, whether that’s a community center, alumni association, church group, or retiree hobby club. By forming partnerships with these organizations, you gain access to a built-in audience that already values the group’s recommendations.
Learning how to form, maintain, track, and market affinity partnerships can be complex. That’s why we wrote and published The Insurance Agent’s Guide to Establishing Successful Affinity Partnerships. Grab your free copy now.
Aligning yourself with these networks can add credibility and expand your reach in ways traditional marketing often can’t.
14. Event Program Ads
School plays, community concerts, and local sporting events often sell ad space in their programs. Seniors frequently attend these events, and they tend to read the programs carefully.
A simple ad with your name, phone number, website, and QR code can be surprisingly effective.
A simple ad with your name, phone number, website, and QR code can be surprisingly effective. Pairing this with an additional touchpoint, like sponsoring a raffle or concession stand, can increase the likelihood that people will notice and remember your business.
15. Advertise on Library or Coffee Shop Bulletin Boards
The old-fashioned community bulletin board is still alive and well in many towns.
Posting a professional flyer with tear-off tabs gives you visibility in a place people visit regularly. Whether it’s a local library, coffee shop, or community center, this type of presence feels grassroots and approachable.
16. Schedule Speaking Engagements
Position yourself as a trusted expert by volunteering to speak at local groups like Rotary clubs, church gatherings, or senior hobby meetups. Keep your presentation educational and generic, avoiding any specific carrier or plan details.
People are far more likely to reach out later when they’ve already heard your voice and seen your expertise firsthand.
By simply offering helpful guidance, you establish yourself as the Medicare “go-to” in the room. People are far more likely to reach out later when they’ve already heard your voice and seen your expertise firsthand.
BONUS: Find Leads on IntegrityCONNECT
While you’re building your book of business, you can jump-start your efforts with IntegrityCONNECT Leads.
This unique buy-per-lead tool allows agents to purchase and manage CMS-compliant Medicare leads from Integrity-vetted vendors so you can transform them into clients and grow your business!
Sometimes the quirkiest ideas lead to the most qualified clients.
Pick one or two new tactics from this list, test them, and track your results. You may be surprised how effective creative, community-focused marketing can be.
Register with Ritter and get more help reaching new clients! We want to help you succeed in expanding your business!
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.
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