Have you ever wondered why some life insurance producers are successful and others struggle to get by?
Part of the answer lies in their habits.
It’s their philosophies and the routines that order their days that drives their success.
There are other qualities effective life insurance producers possess that push them to the next level.
Let’s examine the habits and characteristics that make a great producer.
Insurance producers are EAGER
Fear of failure can cause you to be lazy.
Laziness can hold you back and keep you from achieving your goals and being as successful as you want to be.
It can cause you to “hunker down” and seek the safety of the familiar when times get tough.
Guess what?
That’s not going to get you where you want to go.
Stay hungry, take risks and hustle.
Life insurance producers who have a sense of urgency are the ones who are the most effective and find the greatest amount of success.
Always keep moving forward toward your goals.
Effective life insurance producers are AVAILABLE
You should be putting the needs of your clients and prospects ahead of your own.
For example, be available to meet when it’s most convenient for them, as opposed to fitting them into your schedule.
That’s not the only way to be available, though.
It could also mean providing a means of after-hours communication, being open to text messages or chatting via Facebook Messenger or Twitter.
The digital nature of the world today opens up new avenues for conversation. Take advantage of these innovative ways to engage.
Life producers know the value of CARING
You’ve probably encountered a relentless salesperson at some point in your life.
Nobody likes to be pushed.
They want you to sit with them and take the time to discuss their concerns and evaluate their needs.
Show them you’re interested in them and not the money their business represents to you.
Understand that some people won’t fit with your objectives and that those who do will make up for it in their loyalty – a great value over time.
Great life insurance producers don’t sweat FAILURE
Mediocrity is the result of being so afraid of failure that you forget to shoot for success.
Your mindset should be that failure is a stepping stone, a learning tool.
Everything won’t always be sunshine, rainbows and unicorns.
Embrace the mistakes, make adjustments and carry on.
Once you conquer your fear of failure, you’re free to take risks and make bold moves.
Producers evaluate EVERYTHING
Effective life insurance producers know that it’s important to measure numbers.
Even the “bad” numbers tell a story.
They measure everything – not just the profits at the conclusion of the month. Looking at all the sales activities with each customer will provide valuable insight.
Successful life insurance producers are FOCUSED
Don’t take your eye off the prize.
It’s all about staying in the moment and being mindful of the task at hand.
When you have a laser focus, you can handle challenges more efficiently and be fully engaged in what you’re working on currently.
Distractions will come. They’re everywhere.
But knowing what you need to do in the moment to get to your ultimate goal is key.
To be an effective life insurance producer, you should know how to prioritize your tasks for each day to ensure you’re accomplishing the appropriate steps to reach your goals.
Life producers don’t GIVE UP
Building your life insurance career won’t always be smooth. There will be bumps in the road.
Losing a big client or failing to land a great prospect can get you down – if you let it.
You have to push through and understand that your next success may be closer than you think.
Effective insurance producers never stop LEARNING
To remain relevant and valuable to your customers, you have to be dedicated to training.
Take advantage of educational opportunities to stay on top of industry trends is the best way to ensure you’re doing the absolute best for your clients.
Great producers work with a quality General Agency
One of the most important ways to be an effective, thriving life insurance producer is to partner with a top-notch General Agency.
A great General Agency can provide you with valuable support that you wouldn’t have otherwise, such as the important continuing education you need to stay on top of your game.
Here are some tips for choosing a General Agency.
- Look for a General Agency that has been in the business long enough to be established and demonstrate expertise.
- You can’t be specialized in every area. But you can find a General Agency that is expert in the areas you may not be.
- When you’re with a client and they have a question that you can’t answer, you need help – quickly! A great General Agency will always have someone available to respond to you, whenever you need it.
- Developing client relationships is a vital component of your success. A General Agency can help you develop strategies to bring in more sales and referrals.
- A General Agency who is willing to join you in client meetings can be valuable. They get a chance to see that you have access to expertise and an abundance of resources.
- Choose a General Agency that is clear about their expectations and what your partnership will look like.
Good life insurance producers have BALANCE
Juggling work and family life can get tricky.
Set your priorities and don’t waver.
You’ll be a better life insurance producer when you’re taking the downtime to be present with your family or to simply decompress from the stresses of your work life.
Great life producers are HONEST
When you’re upfront with your clients and prospects from the beginning, you earn their trust. If a product or service isn’t right for them, you won’t attempt to spin it to make it seem like a good idea.
Helping someone understand financial realities can be difficult at times, but doing so with tact and kindness will let people know that you have their best interest at heart.
Once you have clients that trust you, they’ll keep coming back to you for their life insurance needs – and they may even recommend you to their friends and family.
The bottom line
When it comes to success in the life insurance world, there are “haves” and “have nots.”
If you want to be a “have” – of course you do – you need to sharpen the right skills.
You have to show clients and prospects that you care, learn to get over mistakes quickly, be honest always, and strike a healthy balance between work and home.
Working with a General Agency is one of the best moves you can make. You need the support, guidance, advice, and resources they can provide. Don’t go it alone when you don’t have to.
What do you see as the best characteristic a life insurance producer can have?
