It can be tricky for anyone to find the right career path. Maybe you’re new to the “real world” and trying to find an occupation that’s right for you, or maybe you’re looking for a change.
No matter the stage of life, we’re here to help you figure out if selling insurance is right for you.
Are You a People Person?
One major component of being an insurance agent is working with people. Great agents truly care about their clients and aren’t just in it for the money. If you’d like to sell Medicare plans (and we think you should), make sure you connect well with the senior population.
Enjoying working with your clients isn’t something you can fake.
Enjoying working with your clients isn’t something you can fake. The best insurance agents have a strong sense of emotional intelligence as well as a great deal of empathy. Agents succeed because they get satisfaction out of doing what’s best for their clients.
Are You Excited?
Along with being a people person, a high-energy personality is a great trait to have in this field. Let’s face it – sometimes insurance can be a little bit dull. Consider what it’s like for those buying it! Insurance lingo can be especially complicated and confusing for first-time clients. It’s your job to create excitement over the products you’re selling.
Being excited is one thing, but being genuine is another. There’s a fine line between being an earnest agent and coming across like a used car salesman. If it’s in your nature to be genuinely passionate about your role, you’ll thrive.
Do You Embrace Change?
We’ve found the insurance industry to be a stable one, but that doesn’t mean it’s static.
Rules, regulations, and plans change on a yearly and sometimes monthly basis, so it’s imperative that you can keep up. This isn’t the type of job where you’ll learn the basics and be good to go. The fundamentals are very important! But keeping up with the industry is a “must” if you want to be successful.
One of the ways to stay up to date is by partnering with an FMO like Ritter! Our Ritter blog (where you’re at now) is always being updated with new information and industry changes, and you can even just check out the trending news. If you’re more of a listener, tune in to the Agent Survival Guide Podcast with host Sarah J. Rueppel!
Want to hear from industry professionals and Ritter staff? Sign up for one of our events and experience topics ranging from cross-selling recommendations to technology tips.
Keeping up with the industry is a must if you want to be successful.
You may also come across some personal or professional challenges, like making time to complete your CE (continuing education) requirements and always staying compliant with the Medicare Advantage & Part D Communication Requirements.
Permit yourself to try something new when looking for a solution and see how, over time, being adaptable will lead to less stress for you and even happier, more satisfied clients!
If you have a love of learning and a real zeal for this kind of business, you will make an excellent agent.
Can You Handle Rejection?
In insurance sales, you can’t be afraid of failure. You’re not going to know everything right off the bat and you’ll probably make mistakes. That’s OK! What’s important is that you grow from them and continually move forward.
Having a few failures doesn’t mean you should quit your job and having a few successes doesn’t mean you’ve got everything figured out. Every day is a learning process so use each loss (and win) to your advantage.
Additionally, great agents are resilient and know that when things don’t go as planned, they can’t take it personally. Some clients will be difficult and almost impossible to please, and that’s the nature of business.
Are You Driven?
What sets a good agent apart from a great agent is the amount of focus he or she has. It can be very easy to fall into distractions and lose motivation. The best agents know how to combat this with time management, planning, and a great deal of ambition.
Clients will appreciate a strong work ethic and a reliable, dependable agent. When you’re there for your clients, you’re helping them and you’re helping your business.
Want to know your possible earning potential when you become an insurance agent? Our Guide to Earning a Living Selling Health Insurance can help you build a strong portfolio and keep clients happy!
Even if you don’t think your time management skills are up to par, this is definitely something you can learn. Motivated people excel at setting aside chunks of time in a day to work on specific tasks, such as returning phone calls, answering emails, or researching a new product to stay in line with daily to-dos.
Do You Have Good Communication Skills?
Being an effective communicator is critical in this industry. One major component of the job is interacting with people face-to-face as well as over the phone. Are you able to clearly articulate your thoughts? Can you explain complex topics in ways that your clients will understand?
Effective listening also goes hand in hand with good communication skills. Your clients want to feel heard and like an active part of the conversation. Nothing can be more frustrating than not being able to get a word in, especially if the conversation is about you and your needs.
Remember that you are the agent with the knowledge, but your clients are ultimately making the decision, so give their voices a chance in conversations, too!
Just as important as “business talk” is creating a personal connection. Remember to ask how your clients’ grandchildren are doing, compliment their garden or home decor, or send them a birthday card. An agent who puts in the extra effort to show their clients that they care can do far better professionally than those who do not.
An agent who puts in the extra effort to show their clients that they care can do far better professionally than those who do not.
Additionally, written communication skills are vital. As an agent, you’ll have to write emails and maybe even letters to clients. Are your grammar skills up to par? Can you explain yourself thoroughly yet concisely in written format? Sending an email with grammatical errors and typos may make you come across as uneducated, lazy, or unprofessional, even if you’re knowledgeable on the topic you’re writing about!
Are You Patient?
We’ve heard it before: Patience is a virtue. In a field such as this, success isn’t going to come right away, which can be frustrating for some. It takes a while to learn the ins and outs of the business, and there’s always room for growth.
However, once you accept that good things take time, you’ll have a more positive attitude and less stress overall. If you think you can stick it out until you get the hang of things and not give up too easily, this might be the industry for you!
Plus, when your clients are happy with your service, it’s likely that they’ll recommend you to their family and friends. A great agent knows that referrals are an effective way to gain leads and close sales, so you have nothing to lose!
Can You Learn New Technology
Technology isn’t going away any time soon, and that isn’t a bad thing!
Online tools play a major role in modern insurance sales and understanding how they work is the key to continuing to thrive in the industry.
IntegrityCONNECT is a technology platform built specifically for agents that can help manage all aspects of your business. Through a single dashboard, agents can:
- Access client records
- Review policy information
- Submit electronic applications
- Send compliant communications and more!
Not yet partnered with Ritter? Register today and sign up for IntegrityCONNECT!
To get the most out of IntegrityCONNECT, it’s also important to embrace the emergence of AI. Ask Integrity is designed to work as your own digital assistant by pulling together instant client summaries, meeting notes, and important plan changes.
By incorporating these tools into your workflow, you can save time on administrative tasks and spend more time delivering thoughtful guidance to support your clients.
Don’t be afraid to give the insurance industry a shot! We’ve found that the best agents are those who know how to utilize their skills and become successful.
Register today and learn more about what it takes to be a well-rounded agent!
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.
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