Onboarding Best Practices: How to Hit the Ground Running in Your First 30 Days

Independent insurance agents enjoy a lot of freedoms. As small business owners, they can choose what type of products they want to sell, access products from multiple carriers and target the customers they want to target in the ways they want to do so. 

Since they are working for themselves, though, every moment matters. Time is money, as the saying goes, which makes it very important for independent agents to hit the ground running right from the start. 

In this article, we’ll discuss some onboarding best practices so independent insurance agents can hit the ground running in their first 30 days. 

Create Your Foundation 

It’s important to start by laying a solid foundation for your independent insurance agency. Some of this can and should be done before you ever start marketing yourself to customers. 

After you have decided what types of insurance you want to sell, you need to lock down carriers whose plans you can sell. Independent agents typically need to go through an application process to get approved to do so, which is why you shouldn’t delay in getting started. 

From there, make sure you fully understand all the aspects of the plans you’re able to provide. Plan details can differ significantly from one carrier to the next, so take the time to understand everything clearly. 

The more of an expert you can be in knowing these plans, the more effectively you will be able to serve your customers. 

Create Definitive Plans 

At the same time, you should be developing definitive plans with achievable and measurable goals. This will help you stay on track as you’re getting your agency off the ground. 

These plans should cover various time periods, from the first 30, 60 and 90 days, to six months, one year and further out. You should constantly monitor your progress toward the goals you have laid out, and then assess your success in achieving them once the period has ended. 

This review will enable you to revise plans going forward based on what happened in the previous period. 

Your plans can cover everything from marketing and sales, to onboarding new clients, networking and establishing partnerships in the community. 

Network, Network, Network 

Independent agents typically get a majority of their customers from local communities. This means that sales and marketing effectiveness relies a lot on word-of-mouth, building trust and establishing relationships. 

New independent agents should understand that one of the most effective ways to generate qualified leads is to get to know other prominent members of the local community.  

Networking opportunities abound when you join local business organizations, industry associations and non-profit agencies. This is something you should do right from the beginning, even if you’re not officially up and running yet. 

To be successful networking, it takes time, effort and repetition. You need to constantly get your name and your face out in the community, and establish relationships that can serve as business partnerships in the long run. 

Offer Customers Incentives 

One of the hurdles you may face as a new independent insurance agent is a lack of familiarity. Trust takes time to build, and customers may be more wary of your agency as it’s just launching. 

To overcome this, consider offering incentives to prospective customers. Extra benefits such as free consultations, free reviews of their current insurance plans and more can provide prospective customers with reasons to interact with you. 

These are great opportunities to meet new people, get your name and face out there, and even potentially market your products to them. While these interactions may not result in successful conversions with every person you interact with, they still serve as a great marketing tool as you’re getting your business off the ground. 

Work with a Trusted Partner 

Independent insurance agents benefit from the freedom and flexibility of working for themselves. These are some of the main reasons why agents prefer being independent rather than captive. 

At the same time, they don’t benefit from the many resources that captive agents get from the carriers they work for.  

By working with Good Life Insurance Associations (GLIA), independent agents can gain access to a wide range of insurance products from more than 100 national carriers. 

We also provide our agent partners with resources, guidance and tools to help them succeed. 

For more information, visit us online or contact us today.