The percentage of U.S. households with broadband Internet connections has grown from 12% in 2002 to 49% today, and 112 million U.S. adults now have high-speed Web access at home, according to a study by Scarborough Research. The study, based on a panel of 220,000 adults 18 and older, found significant regional variation in broadband penetration. San Francisco topped the list, with 62% of adults living in households with broadband Web access, … [Read more...]
Insurance Gossip
Kurt Turner is an independent agent in Shelbyville, Ky. He noticed that the best part of company meetings is talking with other agents during breaks. So, he started an insurance community forum site called InsuranceGossip.com, where agents and others in the insurance business can exchange ideas, get marketing sales ideas and tips, and ask/answer questions. The site is agent-focused and not currently designed for others in the industry. Anyone … [Read more...]
Whom Should You WOW?
I've been reading quite a bit lately about how to create a customer experience that will WOW clients and keep them coming back for more. When I ask agents what they do to create these types of experiences for their clients, most have a difficult time answering. While most agents say they provide "good customer service," many can't define what that actually means for their agency. For whom should you try to create these exceptional experiences? … [Read more...]
Showing Up On Google
Search Engine Optimization—getting your agency to show up on a Google search result—is more of an art than a science. While there are many complicated and time-consuming steps an agency can take to improve their search result placement, using Google’s Local Business Center is a simple step anyone can take. Doing so will help customers find you using Google Maps. If you already have a Google account, sign in with your e-mail and password. … [Read more...]
YouTube Frenzy Swamps Small E-retailer with Orders
A-cappella.com Inc., a small online seller of CDs, DVDs, sheet music, and books for unaccompanied singing groups, discovered the power of viral marketing on the Internet and YouTube this past Christmas—and it’s only just recovered from a “blizzard,” in the description of one A-cappella.com staffer, of orders that ensued. A 1998 video of the Indiana University a cappella group Straight No Chaser singing “The 12 Days of Christmas” that … [Read more...]
Adding Instant Message Capability
Are your clients able to communicate with you any way they want—whether by phone, e-mail, Web, call center, or live access? Instant Messaging (IM) is an option that is becoming easier to implement. Understandably, agencies are often concerned about the practical aspects of IM. How will the conversation be documented? Is it worth the time? One service worth considering is Provide Support, a software and Web process that provides a “Live … [Read more...]
Attracting New Talent
It is becoming increasingly important for everyone in the insurance industry to take a hard look at our ability to attract new talent. Of the approximately 78 million Baby Boomers, about 8,000 turn 60 every day. The industry has a long way to go in order to attract and retain enough people to replace retiring Boomers. An edited excerpt from a recent e-mail I received highlights at least part of the problem: Dear Sir, I found your article in the … [Read more...]
Letters Are the Best Way to Get the Attention of Busy Senior Level Executives
An old-fashioned hard copy letter is still the most effective method for initiating a new relationship with a CEO, according to a new study completed by Gentle Rain Marketing. According to 82% of the executives surveyed, the one-page letter ranks number one among the top five methods for developing new relationships with senior-level decision makers. As an increasing number of businesses realize the importance of developing relationships with … [Read more...]
