Success doesn’t happen if you don’t set goals. After all, how can you hit a target if you don’t know where you’re aiming? This guide to goal setting for insurance agents can help you choose the targets that matter for you and your business.
1. Meet 10 New People a Month
Why it’s important: The more people you connect with, the more potential clients you have. Plus, if you’re new to selling insurance, you can practice talking to people about what you do in a low-key way without feeling like you’re selling to them — you’re simply building a connection.
How to do it: If you follow some of the other tips in this guide, like networking, getting involved in your community and attending training, you’ll organically meet plenty of people.
To meet even more people, make it a point to introduce yourself anytime you can. Say hi to the others in your yoga class, talk to the people nearby at a local concert or get to know the shopkeeper where you buy your lunch.
2. Participate In 1 Networking Event a Month
Why it’s important: Networking with other insurance agents and with community members can help you learn how others run their companies and apply their lessons to your business. Networking is also a great way to connect with potential clients. Plus, you may meet people like attorneys, accountants and real estate agents, and you can develop relationships where you refer clients to each other.
How to do it: Join local organizations that focus on networking and building connections. Check with your local Chamber of Commerce, professional groups on LinkedIn and Facebook, work and business groups on Meetup or the business group on Eventbrite for opportunities.
3. Sponsor a Community Event
Why it’s important: Being involved in your community adds a personal touch to your business and helps you build stronger relationships with your clients. When you care about the people and place where you live, it fosters trust.
How to do it: Many communities have regular events like concerts, festivals, clean-up days and tournaments. You can probably connect with organizers through a quick online search and ask them what sponsorship opportunities they have.
4. Read a Professional Development Book
Why it’s important: When you read educational or business books, you can absorb knowledge from professionals. You read at your own pace, so you can take time to reflect, take notes and understand what you learned.
How to do it: Carve quiet time into your day for reading. Download books to your phone or an e-reader so you can read a few paragraphs or pages when you find yourself with a bit of free time. Listen to audiobooks when you’re driving or exercising.
5. Attend Training
Why it’s important: Our industry, our technology and our clients’ needs are always changing. Training can help you best serve your clients and grow your business.
How to do it: At Farm Bureau, we support agents with our Training Academies. Our agents complete Agent Academy 1, 2 and 3 in their first two years as insurance agents and can then enter the Life Academy for their Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF). One to two years later, agents can move on to the Advanced Life Academy to advance their experience and knowledge.
6. Meet an Experienced Agent
Why it’s important: Veteran agents have experience they can share with you. You can learn from their mistakes and successes and use them as a sounding board. They’ve been through important transitions, like shifting from selling insurance in their immediate circle to a broader client base.
How to do it: You probably met some experienced agents during your training. Reach out to them and ask to meet for coffee or lunch or over video. Experienced agents remember when they were in your shoes, and most will be happy to take some time to support you.
Do Your Goals Align?
These goals may help you realize that a future with Farm Bureau might be right for you. If that’s the case, reach out for more information.