FIVE ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR EVERY AGENT

There is a great demand for qualified insurance agents in the U.S. Due to this demand, it is imperative that agents have the right tools to meet this growing need and assist many Americans in finding the right healthcare plan for them and their families. We'll discuss five essential tools every insurance agent should have in their back pocket.

#1 - A WEBSITE
The best way for anyone to get started, no matter what industry they are in, is by building their own website. For insurance agents, your website is your number one way to market your services, build your brand awareness, and ultimately attract new customers. You can reach an incredibly wide audience by posting yourself online and casting a much wider net than you would have been able to otherwise.

Whether you're a novice or highly experienced, there are dozens of online templates you can use if you'd like to create your own website. Several of them are free or extremely inexpensive to use. Check out Squarespace, Wordpress or Wix if you're looking for templates to use!

#2 - A TOOL FOR CROSS-CHANNEL COMMUNICATION
The next step after getting your website and CRM up and running is to download some communication software. Keeping in touch with leads and customers means communicating in their existing social networks. In the current age, this includes emails, text messages, social media, and many more. In an environment where there are so many platforms to manage, making use of cross-channel communication tools allows you to integrate all of these forms of communication into one platform.

With open enrollment bringing in new customers ready to sign up for a new policy in addition to existing customers looking to renew their existing plans, the fourth quarter is easily the busiest time of year for the insurance industry. Keep up to date with your overflowing inbox using cross-channel communication tools, which will help you keep track of emails, messages, and comments.

#3 - A WAY TO MANAGE ALL YOUR PASSWORDS
Keep track of all the logins you use with a password manager as you implement all these different programs. You may be tempted to keep your passwords written on sticky notes on your desk or in a notebook, however this is neither secure nor practical.
​
By using a password manager, you'll remember only one password, and all of your passwords for online accounts and profiles you've ever saved will always be readily accessible.

#4 - SOFTWARE FOR OFFICE ORGANIZATION
​Getting everything you need for workplace organization from home is now increasingly important as more homes are becoming offices. There are dozens of tools that make traditional office work even easier, whether it's note-taking, document-signing, or list-making.
​
#5 - A CRM
Next, in order to organize and analyze your interactions with each person you speak with, you'll need a CRM program to store all the information about your leads and customers in one place. Your CRM will let you better manage, analyze, and personalize your interactions with your leads and customers. When it comes to closing any sale, information is key. If you call a lead that you spoke with about six months ago, you should have notes about that call saved. In order to avoid wasting time asking questions you've already asked, make sure there is a record of everything they've told you about their past experience with health insurance, any dependents they may have, and their long-term goals.

​Lastly, by using a CRM, you can instantly access client contact information and access a full report on everything you know about them. It makes customer service a much more pleasant experience for you and for your customers.

Cloud-based tools will ensure all of your work will be immediately saved, backed up, and accessible whenever and wherever you need it - even if your computer crashes or you have a power outage.

There is increasing demand for insurance agents to help people find sound healthcare, so you should prepare to meet the need. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can stay organized, find new clients, and give your policyholders peace of mind knowing they have the right plan.