Tell Me Where I'm Going Wrong...

[czar]

Ok, I know I haven't posted here much, but I browse every now and again when I need a confidence boost because there's a lost of useful people around here!

I'm about 1.5 years into being a salesman for the 'duck' and haven't exactly had the success I would have liked to by now. I was in a completely different industry before I was laid off and subsequently decided to work in sales.

I've come a long way since the beginning. I've opened a few accounts, improved GREATLY on the phone, and always work hard to help clients file claims or resolve billing issues when needed. But I'll be honest, I haven't made squat!

I'm beginning to wonder, is it me? I like selling, so I am also wondering if there might be a better job in the industry out there. I'd also be interested in exploring other companies...after all, I'm licensed in life and annuities and I'm not using the annuities aspect! But I'm a little confused on how I'd get started. I dunno, someone point me in the right direction.

 

[scagnt83]

Ok, I know I haven't posted here much, but I browse every now and again when I need a confidence boost because there's a lost of useful people around here!

I'm about 1.5 years into being a salesman for the 'duck' and haven't exactly had the success I would have liked to by now. I was in a completely different industry before I was laid off and subsequently decided to work in sales.

I've come a long way since the beginning. I've opened a few accounts, improved GREATLY on the phone, and always work hard to help clients file claims or resolve billing issues when needed. But I'll be honest, I haven't made squat!

I'm beginning to wonder, is it me? I like selling, so I am also wondering if there might be a better job in the industry out there. I'd also be interested in exploring other companies...after all, I'm licensed in life and annuities and I'm not using the annuities aspect! But I'm a little confused on how I'd get started. I dunno, someone point me in the right direction.

The right direction would be to run the opposite direction of the duck!

There are multiple aflac threads on this board describing the many cons and few pros that the company has.

If you can set up an aflac group then you can do group health (an actual necessity); then sell aflac or preferably colonial (much more competitive products) as an addition to your group health.
If your in a state that actually pays you for writing group health you probably would have made 4 times what you did with the aflac sales if you had set up a group health plan.

But at the very least you should look into other companies and products. Being just an aflac agent puts you at a huge disadvantage in the marketplace.

If you enjoy doing group benefits you need to be able to offer all of the group benefits that an employer may need. What happens when the next group health guy who is in one of your groups says to the owner: "hey, I can bring in colonial at a lower cost, and its a better product. that means that your employees get more coverage and its at a lower price..."
Then all of a sudden your group is gone.

Branch out from the duck. They overcharge and underpay so that they can pay that ducks salary.... lol

 

[xrac]

Very few people can make a living just selling the duck. Most people who start there survive by adding health sales.

 

[moonlightandmargaritas]

It's not you, you're in a nearly-impossible situation.

 

[czar]

Yeah, I kind of have a theory on this, but didn't mention it in the first post because I didn't want to sound like I was excuse-making. Our DM's get bonuses when new agents produce a certain amount of business. So mine took out many new agents to re-open his accounts that closed over the years (do to lack of service). I'm not complaining that I didn't get a piece of the pie, so-to-speak, just that I'm one of the only ones in the area to write *my own* business.

Like I said before, I'm open to additional suggestion here. I like the idea of adding health, but what about annuities? I also wouldn't mind looking into a sponsorship for securities down the road. I know now is a bad time to dive in, but when it bounces back, it might be a good thing to have in my back pocket.

I'm really out of the loop because selling the duck is the *only* thing I really know about selling insurance. Right now I might be open to working for someone (like a salaried position, not draw) because I could use some steady income until I can tame some debt. If I wanted to do this, should I contact other area agencies?

Any suggestions on these ideas?

 

[xrac]

Talk to Metlife.

 

[Frank Stastny]

First you need to start doing some research. Your post is a good beginning. There are three distinct areas for you to start with. Life, Health and the Senior Market. There are several parts to each of the three.

HealthAgent, John Petroski, would be a good place to start for Health, Nick Perry/Rick Bronstein (Greensky) would be good for Life and I will be happy to talk to you about the Senior Market.

Any one of us will be happy to talk to you.

Ask every question you can think of and take copious notes. When you have gathered all the information then decide on where your interests are and call again with more questions.

 

[scagnt83]

If you are interested in other areas such as annuities or securities business, you would probably be best going with one of the major career agent shops such as met, mass, nyl, pru, guardian, nwm, etc.

They will give you the training and support that you will need. Again, you really just need to spend a few hours reading through some of the threads on this forum. There are lots that cover these topics extensively.