How do you compete with established companies?

[newbie2001]

Like Newbie2021 above, (no relation as far as I know) I have always seen the big agencies as having no advantage once you are face to face with a prospect. Usually they are at a disadvantage.

Most (not all) large agencies give horrible service. The person the pubic actually meets and works with a a low level downline agent or even worse, an employee. Many times it shows they are not sales driven or entrepreneurial. They are more of a clerk. Otherwise they would be independent.

When you are a solo independent you are lean and mean and no one can compete with that. Just make sure you have a way to get in front of the right people and YOU are the one they need to worry about. Not the other way around.

No relation lol.

 

[rmhaire]

No relation lol.

You sure about that?

Some of us on here can see the resemblance between your keyboard and his.

 

[Medicare bro]

I have 5 long time 15+ year established agencies within 1 square mile of where I have an office. It's a competitive town.

Then at least 3 more long 15+ year established offices 5 miles north of me.

All of these places have 100+ Google reviews.

But guess what? I don't care.

I continue to market to my niche using my marketing methods and focus on what I can control. Sure it's good to be aware of what your competitors are doing but don't obsess over them.

So far I've only had to compete for business with them 1 time and it was because I recommended a sup product and they swooped in offering a giveback plan and all this other free shit and I had to explain to the guy what was really going on.

Sounds like you have great hair and have mastered the art of the subtle flirt.

 

[Life Hawk]

How do you all compete with the businesses in your area that offer the same services as you? What do you do to get clients if there are multiple other companies that do the same thing in your area? One company near me has been established for 15 years, has 300 plus reviews, constantly nails the social media multiple times a day, has a radio show on a local station, has billboards, has TV ads...how do I even compete with that?

Make THEM compete with YOU!

A face2face warm gregarious personality is a force to be reckoned with... it can breakdown barriers and build bridges in such a way that would blow your mind... but it takes time and is not an overnight wonder. One client at a time... let them become your billboard.

 

[newbie2001]

Sounds like you have great hair and have mastered the art of the subtle flirt.

Well I do have great hair…

 

[WinoBlues]

Referrals should be your lifeblood once you get a few clients in the door. Almost zero competition at that point.

There are a few advantages to being a small agency:

1) They're always dealing with you (or your office), not some 25yo kid who is going to be gone in a few years. If they value long-term relationships, you're their guy.

2) Their business matters a lot more to you than the "big guys". This is a fine line because you don't want to come off as desperate but with them, they'll just be another policy number but with you, they're Frank and Betty (work your own spin on that but that's the gist)

3) You're not in bed with any particular carrier. Maybe "big shop" focuses on a carrier or two. You're happy to shop around for your clients whereas they may stick with their preferred companies.

Research your competition. Read "The Wedge". You'll find opportunities if you keep hammering away.

Bump

This thread is a salted mine. These guys are laying down the gold for easy harvesting.

Good stuff.