You’re probably saying to yourself right now, “How am I supposed to get referred insurance leads from other insurance agents, many of whom I’m competing against locally?”
For one thing, the agents who recommend you might not all be local. If you’re a captive agent, you might get a referral from another agent within your company but in another state when one of his or her customers moves to your area. Or you could get referred insurance leads from agents who focus on different types of insurance.
Some tips on acquiring insurance leads via referral:
- Get to know other agents in your company. For a captive agent, it can be very beneficial to know agents in other cities or other states whom you can refer and who can refer you to customers who move.
- Refer others. Independent agents don’t have the luxury of being able to get recommendations from inside their companies, so they have to use other methods. One good way to create a community of like-minded agents is to start referring your own customers to agents you like, or even other businesses related to the insurance you sell. For instance, you might tell a customer who the best local dentist is. Or refer him or her to a well-run used car lot. Once those businesspeople know that you referred them to your customers (and a friendly call might be a good way to inform them), they’ll be more likely to put in a good word for you.
- Join local business groups. Maybe get involved in your area chamber of commerce or an insurance trade organization. The more you get to know other businesspeople as human beings, the easier it will be for them to recommend you and for you to recommend them.
- Use social networking. It’s a good way to get to know business colleagues as well as new potential customers.
More information on referred insurance leads:
Insurance leads: 3 tips for asking for customer referrals
