The Insura-Preneur Podcast

Grant Botma – Founder of Stewardship (moneywellrooted.com)

Master Class in Modern Marketing, Part 3

Why should the marketplace do business with you – above any and all other options? If you can’t answer that question, all the marketing tricks in the world are just that – TRICKS. This agency principal, Grant Botma, understands that lesson. And, he very generously shares the insights he’s used to accelerate growth for his agency:

• Precisely how he created a Customer Journey that guides people from ‘stranger’ to ‘Raving Fan!’
• How Grant’s agency gets a 90% response (yes, an unheard of 90%!) to his messaging.
• A comprehensive review of the various technologies that Grant’s agency uses – and how they use them to generate more new business and to keep clients longer.

NOTE from Michael Jans: After interviewing so many industry Thought Leaders, I wanted to ‘touch ground’ for our listeners for awhile and deliver solid, tactical and practical tips that you can put to work quickly and easily. I interviewed three ‘marketing masters’ and asked them to share a realistic review of ‘what’s working now’ in their agencies. Please don’t miss this series… and be sure to buckle up. Each of these guests are masters in their own right!

What are other agents & brokers doing to thrive? What are the biggest trends affecting the retail insurance agent & broker? What are the most important strategies and tactics you need to grow faster? Find out here in the Connected Insurance Podcast, where Michael Jans discusses the biggest issues affecting the independent insurance agent and broker with the industries leading figures. 

John Jackson – Digital Marketing Manager at Alliance Insurance Services

Masterclass in modern marketing, Part 2

Do you have a marketer on staff? (56% of agencies do… so it’s important to ask!) Or, are YOU the marketer? However you ‘get marketing done,’ you do NOT want to miss this conversation. After interviewing so many insurance Thought Leaders on the big trends that are turning insurance upside-down, we wanted to deliver some ‘what to do about it’ advice. I interviewed three masters who are controlling their own destiny… with world class marketing.

This week we are joined by John Jackson, the chief marketer at Alliance Insurance Services. He runs the agency’s website, writes their blogs, and creates video content for their YouTube channel and other forms of social media.

• How John manages and organizes the FIVE big responsibilities he has as a marketer (blogging, SEO, video, email marketing, social media) – and what he does to get RESULTS from each one.
• The habits, routines and cadence of activities John uses to get marketing done… and to stay ‘top of mind’ in the marketplace.
• John’s clever and effective secrets for getting the most out of VIDEO.

If you want tips on how to manage, or BE, the best marketer in your marketplace, please do not miss out on this important interview!

What are other agents & brokers doing to thrive? What are the biggest trends affecting the retail insurance agent & broker? What are the most important strategies and tactics you need to grow faster? Find out here in the Connected Insurance Podcast, where Michael Jans discusses the biggest issues affecting the independent insurance agent and broker with the industries leading figures. 

Robert Knop – CEO of Assist You Today

Masterclass in modern marketing, Part 1 of 3

Who can keep up with marketing today? Social media changes. The ‘rules of engagement’ change. The very things that consumers want and expect you to do change, too. Our host, Michael Jans dives into the delicious details of SOCIAL SELLING with one of the country’s leading social marketing experts, the founder & CEO of Assist You Today. In ‘Part One’ of an unofficial 3-part series on practical-tactical marketing for the Modern Insurance Agency, Robert reveals:

• Why insurance consumers expect your agency to follow a few key ‘rules of modern behavior’ in the marketplace. Rob shares what those rules are and how to comply. (And, the dire consequence of online ‘misbehavior.’
• The questions to ask and answer about your behavior before you dive into social posting. (It won’t take long. It may cause you to ‘think deeply’ about what you and your agency are really all about. And, these are simple questions you can’t afford not to think about.)
• How to get the most juice from every social platform you’re thinking about now: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram. (This is a MASTERCLASS in social, from one of the nation’s leading experts.)

Please don’t miss this conversation with one of the marketing world’s most respected marketers –Listen today and get ideas you’ll put into practice tomorrow!

What are other agents & brokers doing to thrive? What are the biggest trends affecting the retail insurance agent & broker? What are the most important strategies and tactics you need to grow faster? Find out here in the Connected Insurance Podcast, where Michael Jans discusses the biggest issues affecting the independent insurance agent and broker with the industries leading figures. 

Jerry Jones – CEO of Jerry Jones Direct

Leading Small Business Marketing Guru Reveals ‘This Is What’s Working’ in the Modern Age

Marketers share a common observation: ‘The next Big Breakthrough for the industry will come from…OUTSIDE the industry.’ Why? That’s one reason that marketers and innovators from different industries often ‘master-mind’ with each other, read books from outside the usual off and online trade magazines and so forth.

And, that’s why Michael chose marketing guru, Jerry Jones, to be the guest on this week’s podcast interview. Jerry reveals a handful of ‘cross-industry’ tactics that are too big to ignore:

• The big EASY WIN that every small business must do to get more traffic, sky-high better SEO and more pre-persuaded visitors.
• Why GIRAFFES always win in the marketing jungle (because they can see farther!) And, how to make sure your agency doesn’t get gobbled up because it’s ‘hiding’ in past practices.
• Why you simply cannot ignore the wisdom in the old saw: ‘Work ON your business, not just IN it!)

Please don’t miss this conversation with one of North America’s most respected marketers. Listen now.

What are other agents & brokers doing to thrive? What are the biggest trends affecting the retail insurance agent & broker? What are the most important strategies and tactics you need to grow faster? Find out here in the Connected Insurance Podcast, where Michael Jans discusses the biggest issues affecting the independent insurance agent and broker with the industries leading figures. 

Peter van Aartrijk – Co-founder & Principal at Chromium and CEO of Aartrijk

How re-branding can boost your agency in the marketplace… and just how to do it right!

Fresh on the release of his new book on branding, insurance marketing expert, Peter van Aartrijk, lays out a clear message for these times.

After you listen to this conversation, you’ll probably be thinking, ‘It’s time. Time to take a very close look at how the marketplace views us. And, it’s time for us to take complete control over it.’

Peter has a 30 year ‘love affair’ with the independent insurance channel. But, he doesn’t hold back from honest criticism. Agents who have embraced that criticism have thrived – as they benefit from marketplace clarity, differentiation and a culture of fast-growth.

• The common mistakes agents make with their brand. (Hint: branding is not just refreshing your name, colors, logo, or tagline. Dive deeper…and the rest comes easy!)
• Why most agents underestimate how powerful branding is because they only look at the surface of their brand. (A powerful brand delivers experience, stories, human connections and more. Peter shares his insights on how to make that happen.)
• Why NOW is most likely the time for you to inspect your brand. (Millennials have different expectations… and, here’s a FACT for you: millennials will be the largest generation in North America in 2019. That’s like tomorrow.)

A note from Michael Jans: Peter, of course, is one of the more recognized names in the insurance marketing landscape. It’s rare for us to find 30 year veterans who are still energized, insightful and full of energy. Peter lays it all on the table in this interview. He left me with two pages of my own notes – and, as always, made me think about my own brand and how it plays in the marketplace. Please join me in this podcast conversation. It’s an important one for this modern age.

Marc Petersen – President of American Advantage: Petersen Group

The New Content Marketing for Insurance Agents – Why and How!

Here’s what’s different about insurance marketing today: do it right and you’ll never make a cold call and never, ever sell on price again. Need proof? Listen to Michael’s conversation with Marc Petersen, CIC, President, American Advantage Insurance:

• Learn about the lead magnet that brought $80,000 in new income this year – and is on pace to exceed the agency’s $150,000 goal.
• Get crystal clear on the psychology behind the new content marketing (and understand why Marc’s new clients thank him for the agency’s marketing!)
• Discover how to get started on the new content marketing – so that it’s easy, effective and lucrative.

Today’s consumer has changed. This conversation – between Michael Jans and Marc Petersen – reveals precisely how to reach today’s consumer on their terms… and get them to call you before you call them. This is the future of insurance marketing in action. Please do not miss this important conversation.

What are other agents & brokers doing to thrive? What are the biggest trends affecting the retail insurance agent & broker? What are the most important strategies and tactics you need to grow faster? Find out here in the Connected Insurance Podcast, where Michael Jans discusses the biggest issues affecting the independent insurance agent and broker with the industries leading figures. 

Mike Alexander Jr. – President of ABM Insurance and Benefit Services, Inc.

This agent’s marketing machine reliably clips along at 20% annual growth

Mike Alexander bought a 500 policy agency around the turn of the century. This year, he’s hitting $3,000,000 agency – and gives credit to the marketing machine that consistently brings business, week after week after week. Discover:

• How Mike manages an ‘integrated marketing system’ that predictably makes this phones ring. (You may be surprised that Mike – a savvy direct marketer – still unleashes direct mail on certain niches. Most impressive: he knows how many leads he’ll get before he hits the mailbox!)
• The simple way that Mike changed his ‘job’ at the agency – and why that triggered an onslaught of new business. (Every agent can start this immediately.)
• The powerful method Mike uses to nurture his customer base (hint: NO LESS than 12 nurturing touches a year) and how his customers respond by buying more.

Mike doesn’t hold anything back in this inside view of his winning insurance marketing strategy.

What are other agents & brokers doing to thrive? What are the biggest trends affecting the retail insurance agent & broker? What are the most important strategies and tactics you need to grow faster? Find out here in the Connected Insurance Podcast, where Michael Jans discusses the biggest issues affecting the independent insurance agent and broker with the industries leading figures.

Clinton Houck – Digital Agency Specialist at State Auto Insurance

Load your ‘marketing cart’ with boxes and bags of practical advice you can put to work tomorrow!

Roll up your sleeves for a master class on marketing in the modern age. Clinton Houck is the Digital Agency Specialist at State Auto – a company well respected for bringing the IA channel into the modern age. He ran a ‘bricks n’ mortar’ agency. He ran a ‘pure digital’ agency. And, now he shares the secrets of successful digital marketing to agents throughout State Auto’s territory. Discover:

• What Clinton strongly recommends for ‘quick wins’ and immediate results. (If you’re looking for noticeable results at no cost, check this out!)
• The single most important number for you to watch. (And, why 99 out of 100 agencies miss it… even though it’s simple and powerful!)
• How agencies are changing their organizational structure to meet the market in the modern age. (That’s right, the market changed, but that doesn’t mean we need to be left behind!)

If you’re thinking, ‘I’d like to get my hands on PRACTICAL advice!’ you came to the right episode of the right podcast. Clint shares tips you’ll have in place by Tuesday – with impact you’ll feel for years. Don’t miss this exciting conversation between two of the industry’s most passionate marketers, Michael Jans and Clinton Houck.

What are other agents & brokers doing to thrive? What are the biggest trends affecting the retail insurance agent & broker? What are the most important strategies and tactics you need to grow faster? Find out here in the Connected Insurance Podcast, where Michael Jans discusses the biggest issues affecting the independent insurance agent and broker with the industries leading figures.

Mike Albert – Co-founder of Ask Kodiak

what’s wrong with commercial insurance today?

Mike Albert, co-founder of Ask Kodiak has some ideas about what’s wrong with commercial insurance. And, he’s actively working on fixing some of the problems. This seasoned insurance and technology veteran shares his insights freely:

• How to preserve the strengths of the commercial lines placement process (and he believes that it has some built-in strengths) without making customers wait so long (or worse yet, buy inferior insurance!).
• THREE WORDS that agents need to hear if they’re going to thrive in the modern insurance world. (You probably guessed it… it absolutely has something to do with being different!).
• Advice to commercial agents who want to thrive in the future – and what that future looks like for today’s agent.

Please join this insightful and powerful conversation, as Mike holds nothing back on how insurance can be better…and what we can do to make that happen.

What are other agents & brokers doing to thrive? What are the biggest trends affecting the retail insurance agent & broker? What are the most important strategies and tactics you need to grow faster? Find out here in the Connected Insurance Podcast, where Michael Jans discusses the biggest issues affecting the independent insurance agent and broker with the industries leading figures.

George Wynne, Senior Executive of Corporate Development and Josh Morgan, Vice President, of Keystone Insurers Group

Podcast Guests from Keystone Insurance Group Share What the Best Agents Do Differently

We have a special double-feature for you today. Not one, but two guests from the revered Keystone Insurers Group have joined us for an information-packed episode.

What do the best do differently than the rest? This is the question we pursued in this lively conversation. And if anyone knows the answer it’s these two guests. Long-time industry insiders. N, they both have a bird’s eye view on what’s really working in the field.

George Wynne and Josh Morgan are high-ranking executives with the Keystone Insurance Group, one of our industry’s most respected networks. They share freely how they see the agency force dividing into three different groups. (Pay attention here: only one of those groups will own the future.)

Don’t miss this important and lively conversation about the future of insurance!

What are other agents & brokers doing to thrive? What are the biggest trends affecting the retail insurance agent & broker? What are the most important strategies and tactics you need to grow faster? Find out here in the Connected Insurance Podcast, where Michael Jans discusses the biggest issues affecting the independent insurance agent and broker with the industries leading figures.