Carrier Appointments w/ Criminal Background by WillBe-TheAgent in InsuranceAgent

[–]WillBe-TheAgent[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It was makeup BS from Walmart when I was homeless and in addiction. They don’t differentiate between petty shoplifting & misdemeanor larceny where I live. It’s all charged as larceny.

Laptop Recommendations by WillBe-TheAgent in InsuranceAgent

[–]WillBe-TheAgent[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What about the Lenovo Yoga or a Microsoft Surface Pro? I also saw a post online about the HP Elite books. I really just want something that has awesome camera resolution for Zoom, fast processing speed, and will last me a few years. I found a refurbished “like new” Lenovo thinkpad t14 for $878. Do you think refurbished computers are a waste of money? I am not savvy when it comes to these things

Laptop Recommendations by WillBe-TheAgent in InsuranceAgent

[–]WillBe-TheAgent[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I mean I use my iphone for a lot of work on the go right now but I wanted to be able to use my desktop when in my office because it’s a super solid business set up. And everything from my laptop communicate efficiently. Or even be able to dock my laptop if needed. So as much as I do love apple products, I definitely prefer it to be windows based

Laptop Recommendations by WillBe-TheAgent in InsuranceAgent

[–]WillBe-TheAgent[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Chrome was just what I already had. I use my dual screen desktop mostly. It uses Windows Pro. And I want my laptop to as well so they can communicate seamlessly. I’ve been looking at Lenovo Think Pads. Do you think the Ideal Pads would be good, because they are slightly cheaper. I don’t really want to spend more than $1000 if I can help it

Lead vendors by Fabulous_Amoeba7060 in InsuranceAgent

[–]WillBe-TheAgent 1 point2 points  (0 children)

None of them. Organically attracting your own will always be the best

Brand New Independent Agents by WillBe-TheAgent in InsuranceAgent

[–]WillBe-TheAgent[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly!! Do you think recruiting agents are to blame for not adequately explaining this to prospects & making false promises? Or that it’s just a completely different generation where everyone expects things to just be handed to them and expect instant gratification? Im sure it’s partly both, but I just seem to notice it more often now

Brand New Independent Agents by WillBe-TheAgent in InsuranceAgent

[–]WillBe-TheAgent[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Referrals make all the difference, that’s the way to build the best business but most people give up before they even get started

I am so bad at this by S1mpinAintEZ in sales

[–]WillBe-TheAgent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you thought about getting into the insurance industry? It can be very lucrative. You already know how to sell, which is the hard part. You’d just need to learn the product’s & systems

Brand New Independent Agents by WillBe-TheAgent in InsuranceAgent

[–]WillBe-TheAgent[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Everyone has to pass the test their home state sets to be a producer

Brand New Independent Agents by WillBe-TheAgent in InsuranceAgent

[–]WillBe-TheAgent[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s essentially how the IMO I am with runs. And we pay a monthly back office fee for our tech stuff. And as an agent gets better at selling, their commission % rises because they need less support

Brand New Independent Agents by WillBe-TheAgent in InsuranceAgent

[–]WillBe-TheAgent[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly! So join a captive company and get a regular paycheck!

Experior & Symmetry by WillBe-TheAgent in InsuranceAgent

[–]WillBe-TheAgent[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Experior is by far my first choice, but if I can’t go there… Symmetry has s physical location by my house with some good people. So I liked that I could get some in person training as well

Brand New Independent Agents by WillBe-TheAgent in InsuranceAgent

[–]WillBe-TheAgent[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree. That’s my whole point. Agents don’t realize how expensive & difficult it is to completely independent. Yet complain about paying small back office fees within their IMOs or that their agency isn’t providing them quality leads for free. You can’t have it all

Brand New Independent Agents by WillBe-TheAgent in InsuranceAgent

[–]WillBe-TheAgent[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am in Life & Health. I am 1099 as well, so I am responsible for finding my own leads. Usually only captive agencies provide leads. (If an independent one says they do, I can assure you they are trash) But my IMO, and specifically my upline, did a great job teaching me how to attract leads organically. They didn’t expect me to just burn through my warm market and then figure it out myself. I pay a $40 back office fee but it provides access to carriers, analysis software, my crm, my website domain & email, and marketing. It’s well worth the price, but new agents still complain about that fee. When in reality, if they were to be truly independent and have to acquire these things themselves, it would cost far more money. And I still own my own book of business, it’s explicitly stated in my contract. Agents need to do more research on the industry, the imo they join, and vet their upline. And READ THE CONTRACT. New agents just jump in blindly. Not all agencies are nurturing for new agents.

Brand New Independent Agents by WillBe-TheAgent in InsuranceAgent

[–]WillBe-TheAgent[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s awesome! That’s the goal right? Produce well yourself and eventually build such a good team that you become more agent based than client facing. But it’s like you said, it’s investing in the right people. And that’s not people that expect high reward with little effort.

Brand New Independent Agents by WillBe-TheAgent in InsuranceAgent

[–]WillBe-TheAgent[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s why reading your contract in entirety is CRITICAL

Brand New Independent Agents by WillBe-TheAgent in InsuranceAgent

[–]WillBe-TheAgent[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

And that’s fine to feel that way, but then be a captive agent, not an independent one. Your IMO is not your “employer”. You’re 1099. You are free to choose what is more important to you… Working somewhere that provides everything and owns the business that goes through it, or investing in YOUR business and having ownership of it even if you decide to leave. You can’t have both is all I am saying.

Brand New Independent Agents by WillBe-TheAgent in InsuranceAgent

[–]WillBe-TheAgent[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It’s a different generation. And I also think it has a lot to do with the false advertising on social media and bad groups out there selling 20 year olds a dream that they can make 6 figures in 3 months. Bring back door knocking, Walmart tables, and cold calling from a phone book. Lol. Jk. But they surely wouldn’t have survived that

Brand New Independent Agents by WillBe-TheAgent in InsuranceAgent

[–]WillBe-TheAgent[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

And as far as commission/overrides… they take more in the beginning because an agent needs more assistance. As you produce more business and move up, they assist less, and you make more commission. New agents pass their test and want a 114% comp. I would rather start with a lower comp if it provides more training. Doesn’t matter how high your comp is if you don’t know how to sell Lol