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Life Health > Health Insurance > Your Practice

3 ways to use consumer review sites to stand out

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Between 2010 and 2015, the number of insurance sales agents in the United States increased by 18 percent. Meanwhile, over the last five years, the median annual salary for insurance sales agents increased by only 2 percent.

Similarly, the median hourly wage for an insurance sales agent has been stuck at $30 since 2010.

What does this mean for agents?

That it’s time to find new ways to stand out, and stay relevant.

See also: PPACA exchange update: Distribution is hard

For both veteran agents and rookie agents who sell the most commonly sought-after insurance products, such as health insurance, disability insurance and long-term care insurance, the agent compensation numbers suggest that our traditional sales and marketing models are no longer as effective.

We need new ways of standing out in a crowded market and reaching our prospects.

I created Agent Review, the “Yelp for insurance,” to help solve this problem for insurance agents.

The fact is, consumers are relying on review sites more than ever before to get advice and recommendations before making decisions both large and small, whether it’s where to have dinner or what insurance agent to choose.

So, how can agents be more innovative in their sales and marketing efforts? Whether it’s on Google, Angie’s List or Agent Review, here are three keys to standing out on consumer review sites:

  1. Educate your clients. Many review sites let you respond to customer reviews publicly. Use this online real estate as a chance to educate your past and prospective customers about insurance, while nurturing relationships.

  2. Share your clients’ stories. When you get a great review, share the success story on social media channels such as LinkedIn and Facebook. Link back to the review site within your status update.

  3. Inform your network. Put a link in your email signature to your review sites. Include a “review me” call to action on both your digital and printed documents. Direct clients to your review sites from your primary website.

Reviews are increasingly guiding many of consumers’ major financial and life decisions. By making the most out of your presence on review sites, you can take your sales to new heights.

See also: 2 new apps that make it easy for customers to review your agency


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