Is it possible to make a career without selling to your family and friends?
- Thread starter Bunny95
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They tell you to sell to family and friends in the beginning so you get your feet wet, make mistakes the family and friends will accept without losing faith in you, and finding how to pivot and sell additional products without pressure
F&F selling is a weak market. The people who know you are usually less willing to buy than dealing with a stranger.
The personal lines market is usually different and premium savings can generate sales.
Most agencies will not feed "free" leads until you have proven your ability to produce.
I could be wrong, but I think American Family Insurance provides leads.
The personal lines market is usually different and premium savings can generate sales.
Most agencies will not feed "free" leads until you have proven your ability to produce.
I could be wrong, but I think American Family Insurance provides leads.
Perhaps things have changed.
I interviewed a couple of SF agencies a few years ago and they pushed the F&F line and said no free leads.
Free leads usually come with strings attached.
- 357
The strings are your soul. Don't go there. I hav been on here in some capacity for 10 years. I have yet to see one agent say it springboarded their career. Literally none.
Quota (production requirements), particularly if you are on any kind of "subsidy", vs straight commission, no advance.
Limited product line. You can only sell plans and carrier(s) they allow.
If you "stumble" across a "big" case you may not be allowed to pursue it.
Required to assign commissions. Don't EVER do this.
Non-compete. Of course the forum lawyers will say a NC isn't enforceable but they fail to mention it will cost YOU money to defend a suit if they decide to go after you.
Agents don't just fall into a situation with no cost of entry, no production requirements, free leads and free coffee (which, as we all know, is for closers only).
You don't get a corner office with a view. No one will be standing outside your door with checkbook in hand.
To survive and prosper in this business you need to have a system where you have a USP . . . something beyond quoting a lower price.
You also need a steady stream of prospects who WANT to talk to you about their problems and have you help them find a solution that meets their needs and budget.
In other words, a dog with a note in his mouth could take the application.
This won't happen overnight but if you make this your goal, your business plan, and you stick with it, you will do well.
- 357
Somarca summed it up well but I will summarize. You have limited family and friends. What then. Do you think you will get an endless stream of referrals. Let's be frank. When was the last time you bought p and c from a referral. Guessing never
I considered that road at one time but learned how difficult it was to break into that field. You spend a lot of time as a journeyman (or woman) and hope you have found a place to grown.
I think carriers still have in house adjusters but there are also independent adjusters working on a contract basis.
I quickly gave up on the P&C side and focused on employee benefits. Turns out that was a better fit for my personality and served me well for a number of years . . . until it didn't. So I switched to a different market, still health insurance, but different and allows me more control.
Goals and aspirations change over time. I once had a dream of playing second base for the Yankees and hopefully taking over after Bobby Richardson retired. Didn't take long to realize that was an unreachable goal.
Base salary means they own you. If you can't live off the base don't count on commissions to come through.
How small is small?
If you have to ask . . .
Maybe, it depends on how deep in debt you are to them. Some contracts may be written as if they are loaning you money.
"At will" means the employer can let you go without cause.
If you don't like the job you are free to quit anytime.
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