Blog

At independent agencies, charitable giving is a win-win situation. It helps the community by providing much-needed resources and assistance, and it also helps the agency by bringing in new business. Altruism may be the[...]

Are you looking to become an independent insurance agent? There are many traits and characteristics that a great independent insurance agent should possess to be successful. However, three of the most important traits[...]

Are you looking for innovative ways to jump-start conversations and engage with prospects and clients? Trigger-event marketing is one of the best solutions to generate leads and drive agency sales. It involves using[...]

Despite current economic and social uncertainties, the insurance industry continues to grow as companies and individuals protect their income sources, property, and lives through policies with reputable insurance[...]

Video marketing has become one of the essential parts of a successful marketing strategy. As more and more clients rely on the internet to find local insurance, you must ensure your website and social media platforms[...]

Businesses are only as good as their client relations, and proactive customer service is one of the best ways to improve these relations. Whether you’re a full-service or a niche agency, it’s vital that your clients get[...]

Running an agency can be hectic, and with the challenges faced in today's work environment, it can be hard to stay organized. However, streamlining how you utilize your customer relationship manager (CRM) or agency[...]

There are two types of insurance agents: independent and captive. Independent agents are free to represent multiple insurance companies, while captive agents are more restricted. While both types of agents have the same[...]

Social media has evolved into an essential strategic communication tool for businesses. For insurance agents, social media provides an opportunity to connect directly with clients and develop customer relationships. In[...]

You've built a great business, and it's time to take it to the next level by scaling your agency, but how can you do it? There are plenty of top agents in the industry who have figured out the tips and tricks of the[...]

In today’s interconnected digital world, cyber security threats are ever-present and evolving at an exponential rate. Even if your organization hasn’t yet been hit by hackers or malware, it’s important that you take[...]

Today's consumers are acutely more aware of how brands interact with them and demand purpose and personalized solutions to meet their individual needs. Committed brands focus on understanding client needs and behaviors[...]

Clients today expect the same personal attention and service regardless of how they interact with your business. By using digital tools to offer unparalleled client experiences, you can build brand loyalty, increase[...]

As an independent insurance agent, one of your most important goals should be to run your business as efficiently as possible. And while there are numerous ways you can do this—from outsourcing specific administrative[...]

Email marketing continues to be one of the most effective ways to connect with your customers, but many businesses fail because they simply don’t know how to make it work for them. Many factors are involved in email[...]

The thing about prospecting is that it can be pretty time-consuming and tedious — but it’s absolutely necessary if you want to grow your business. There are numerous factors to consider when you’re out there trying to[...]

LinkedIn is one of the biggest professional networking sites out there (with over 66 million members in the U.S. alone), and it’s also the perfect tool to help you grow your agency and connect with potential clients.[...]

According to the Big "I" 2022 Market Share Report, independent agencies are the clear leaders in commercial lines and also place 37% of all personal lines premiums. Overall, independent agents place approximately 62% of[...]

If the independent agent channel will thrive in the future, agencies must attract and retain more women. Studies show that companies with more gender diversity on their executive teams are more profitable than companies[...]

Some of the most successful insurance agents have one thing in common: they found a successful commercial lines niche and stuck with it. They’ve built an audience that knows them, trusts them, and believes in them[...]

Does your agency function as high-maintenance or high-performance? A high-maintenance agency is reactive and lacks sufficient communication between leadership and personnel. When roles are not clearly defined, the[...]

The cost of underinsurance can be hard to understand, but with the rising costs of inflation, the risk is high, and it may be costly in ways your clients hadn’t considered when they were first researching their[...]

Tony Fernandez, Founder and CEO of Affordable American Insurance, has been elected to the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Colorado (“PIIAC”) Board of Directors.

Networking, as an aspect of your career in insurance, is one of the most important things you can do to both find work and grow your business. The insurance industry is complex and the best way to succeed in it is to[...]

Getting new clients can be tricky, especially if you don’t have a solid plan in place to attract them to your insurance agency. You want to ensure that you and your employees are on the same page regarding business[...]

A referral program is something that drives traffic and gives your audience an incentive to refer other people to your business. It’s not hard to set up a referral program, but you need to ensure that it’s the right fit[...]

Do you want to ensure prospective clients find you in their Google search results? Local search engine optimization, or SEO, has become increasingly important in recent years, and the rise of mobile devices means it's[...]

Your brand's voice should accurately reflect you, your agency, and your customers. Your marketing and customer service should have a tone and style appropriate for your target demographic and the products you offer. To[...]

To sell homeowners insurance, you need access to homeowners. Independent insurance agents can gain a competitive edge by researching the market and local area. Understanding the profile of the homebuyers in your area is[...]

Those who put in the time and effort might reap the rewards in the lucrative industry of insurance. The initial phases of a new venture are often the most challenging. While it does become simpler after you've gotten[...]

Those who work in insurance are responsible for an essential service. Decisions on insurance coverage, including casualty, car, life, disability, business, health, and other types, can be difficult. Independent[...]

If you’re an independent insurance agent and have yet to jump on the social media marketing bandwagon, it’s time to rethink your strategy. Social media provides multiple ways to promote your brand to current and[...]

The success of your business depends on your ability to market and sell your product or service online. A sales funnel allows you to focus your marketing efforts in one place, where your audience can find you quickly[...]

Networking groups are an essential part of any insurance agent’s strategy, but not every agent knows that. In fact, many agents don’t know the benefits of belonging to a networking group or which networking groups would[...]

If you are thinking about becoming an independent insurance agent, you have probably already figured out that it is not enough to say you’re going to start your own business; you have to take action and make it happen.[...]

If you want to start an independent insurance agency, you'll need your own insurance to protect your company and clients properly. You can't sell policies until you have suitable types of coverage, including errors and[...]

The old approach to onboarding a client was brief: send the new client a welcome email, follow up with a call a few weeks later, and then send a reminder to renew. Modern customer onboarding must include a long-term[...]

What are the requirements to become an independent insurance agent? Before taking the plunge into running your agency, what do you need to consider? These are all great questions and ones that many aspiring agents ask[...]

Insurance agencies want to build and sustain relationships with their clients like any other business. To do this, you must show your clients that you’re trustworthy, reliable, and committed to providing them with the[...]

In today's chaotic world of marketing, it’s hard to know where to start and how to build your brand. It’s challenging when you’re working on your own, but that doesn’t mean you can’t figure out how to build your brand[...]

Engaging your local market is key to gaining more clients for your independent insurance agency. There are many marketing techniques you can use to help grow your business, but here are three that have been proven[...]

When you work as an independent insurance agent, you may come across clients who ask you to help them with their insurance claims. Helping your client file the claim may seem like the right thing to do, but it is not an[...]

Anyone can start an agency, but not everyone will succeed. Learn how to make your agency successful with this step-by-step guide on the A-Team’s strategies and techniques. Whether you want to build up your existing[...]

Millennials and Generation Z are drastically different from previous generations, and these two groups are going to make up the majority of your customer base in the years to come. For this reason, it’s imperative that[...]

Many people are hesitant to buy life insurance because they don’t know how it works or how much they need to buy. You can use this to your advantage when trying to sell more life insurance policies by providing valuable[...]

Starting from scratch as an independent agent can be daunting, but once you put in the work, you’ll be on your way to growing a sustainable and profitable business! Here are some tips on how to get your first client as[...]

Client referrals are one of the most powerful ways to generate new business, but many businesses don’t have effective referral programs in place. A client referral program encourages current clients to recommend your[...]

If you’re an independent agent, you probably already know that gaining new carrier appointments can be one of the biggest challenges of running your own agency and agency growth. You might have experience with setting[...]

The insurance industry is one of many sectors embracing technology, and in many ways, it can improve an organization's service. Insurance carriers now offer digital channels such as mobile applications to make accessing[...]

Do you want to be a marketing rockstar? Then start by thinking about where your business takes place. When you’re working as an independent insurance agent, you don’t just work in the office and at your home office. You[...]

Many industries have suffered from the economic recession like the one in 2008, but the insurance industry was one of the only ones that were not affected at all. In fact, some experts consider the insurance industry to[...]

Insurance agents have a critical role to play. They assist consumers in making important decisions about insurance products such as casualty, car, life, disability, business, health, and others. Not everyone possesses[...]

There are two kinds of insurance agents; independent agents and captive agents. Independent agents work for the client to find the best insurance and are not limited to one carrier or product, while captive agents are[...]

Regardless of the industry you’re in, your client relations will be an important factor to your success or failure. The best way to build strong client relations and improve customer service is through proactive[...]

Making a name for your business is never easy. It is more challenging when the business in question is in commercial insurance. This is due to the industry’s nature. As all agencies are similar in their services, how[...]

Building an insurance agency takes a lot of hard work and creativity. As an agency owner, what steps do you need to take to expand your business’s reach? It starts with learning. If you’re starting your independent[...]

As weather and natural disasters become more frequent and powerful, it's important to be ready to help your clients recover in case they're hit by something unexpected. For some of your clients, this may mean developing[...]

Any business, no matter how small, should treat their clients with the best customer service possible. The insurance industry may seem like it revolves around deductibles and paperwork, but you can have an impact on[...]

Regardless of what type of insurance you sell, it’s essential to find ways to market your agency to potential clients and make your services stand out from the competition. How can you do this in the digital age? Here[...]

One of the biggest challenges agency owners face is staying inspired and innovative. Whether you are an established successful insurance agency, or a new agency owner, you need to know ways to keep your focus. Knowing[...]

There are several benefits of becoming an independent agent, and the field of insurance can offer plenty of opportunities for success. If you’re thinking about becoming an independent agent, here are some reasons why[...]

As an independent insurance agency, one of your biggest challenges will be standing out from the crowd and showing consumers why they should choose you over the other agencies in your city. But don’t panic — just[...]

When it comes to the insurance industry, you can’t survive without clientele — but no one wants to be stuck with clients who aren’t worth their time. As your business grows, you will see more and more people from[...]

Process analysis, or mapping out the steps in your business to figure out where improvements can be made, can help you make your insurance agency even more effective and efficient than it already is. Process analysis[...]

You need to set a direction and clear goals for a successful marketing campaign. Directionless campaigns are a waste of money. Sure, they might get you more likes on social media, but they may fail to convert these[...]

Building an independent insurance agency from scratch is challenging but possible. Be it any business, you need to provide your clients with services and values that are unique to you and attract them to continue[...]

Artificial Intelligence has been deeply integrated into many consumer devices nowadays. It has the potential to mimic and produce outcomes through problem-solving methods that are similar to that of the human mind.[...]

When you strive to cultivate the client experience with your target audience, you will increase retention rates. The client experience lifecycle is a customer's journey from discovering the business to recommending it[...]

The success of a marketing campaign comes down to how much effort you put into defining and executing its components. You can have the best promotional tools and channels, but if you don’t define the goals, set a[...]

Satisfied clients have a vital hand to play in the success of a business. No business can thrive or be termed ‘successful’ without having a base of loyal or repeat clients. It is, therefore, essential that you focus on[...]

Before you take a leap of faith and transition from a captive agent to an independent agency owner, take a minute to consider your new role as the boss. Being the boss comes with many responsibilities you didn't have as[...]

As an independent insurance agency owner, you're going to be spending a lot of time finding the best ways to market your independent insurance agency. It's all about aligning your marketing strategies with your business[...]

Deciding whether to stay captive or to break free into the independent world is the most significant decision an insurance agent ever has to make. To transition from captive to independent is a personal decision not to[...]

Drafting a highly effective marketing plan is one of the first essential tasks of an agency owner. You must define your mission, audience, and tools for reaching your audience—the more detailed and specific your[...]

Every independent agency owner has experienced a plateau. When you lose momentum, it can be detrimental to your confidence. You can take steps to overcome plateaus and regain your momentum to grow bigger, faster, more[...]

A strategic marketing plan is constantly evolving. Staying informed on industry and market changes should always inform your marketing strategies. Industry research allows you to recognize market opportunities and act[...]

Knowledge is power. To be a successful independent agency owner, the more knowledge you have, the better you can make smart business decisions. There are two types of data: third-person and first-person. Companies used[...]

Agency owners need always to be looking at the big picture and be ready for anything. One way to prepare your independent insurance agency for the future is to embrace technology and strengthen client relationships.

There's more to being a successful entrepreneur than running a business. The foundation of entrepreneurship is innovation. Much of your success will come from taking calculated risks while also understanding the[...]

The profitability of your business comes down to innovation, efficiency, and budget management. To grow and succeed as an independent agency owner, you need to run a tight ship. Develop a business plan with clear and[...]

We talk a lot about the methods and channels to reach your audience, but all the marketing tactics in the world won't make a difference if you don't have a unique sales proposition. Before you worry about how you will[...]

Two years ago, arranging online networking events seemed inconceivable. Surely, in-person interactions would lead to more valuable connections? We've learned from the past two years of remote working and online events[...]

Feedback is essential in growing your agency, especially in an industry like insurance, where customer service and building strong relationships with clients are crucial.

Anytime a client - or potential prospect - comes into contact with your brand, your brand personality should shine through. Office atmosphere can play an important role in defining your brand and differentiating your[...]

Delivering a positive client experience will build a strong brand reputation and client loyalty. While each client is different, there are three universal client service principles that go a long way to meet client[...]

There’s a lot of prep-work and pre-planning involved in starting a business and defining your audience demographic, but not enough about putting your plan into action. We emphasize writing a strong business plan that[...]

Being a great captive agent and selling insurance is one thing; running your own agency is entirely different. However, there is a natural progression from a captive to an independent agent. Affordable American[...]

Challenges can drive you closer to success or make you spin out of control toward failure. Overcoming small business challenges requires flexibility and perseverance. Remember, failure is part of success.

The beginning of the year is always full of optimism and renewed energy. January feels like a fresh start, and the future holds limitless possibilities. While we encourage you to be ambitious, you have to be realistic.[...]

You may think of social media as a time-suck - and you’d be right - but there’s no way to avoid it when it comes to business. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn remain invaluable tools to connect with your[...]

In-person connections and personalized client services are just two components of what separates an independent agent from the big corporate insurance agencies and online digital marketplaces. However, you can’t escape[...]

Sometimes, thinking big means narrowing your business boundaries and exploring the vast possibilities of a niche market. How do you choose a niche market? You play to your strengths!

Part of running a successful independent insurance agency is keeping up with industry trends. So, let’s take a look at a few predictions about insurance industry trends in 2022 and how they will affect your agency and[...]

Happy New Year! We’re sure you have a long list of health, fitness, wellness resolutions, but what about your boss goals? You’ve already run the reports and created new marketing and business plans for the new year. Now[...]