Too often agency principals find themselves facing a forced sale as a result of not having a proper perpetuation plan. In this podcast, MarshBerry president John Wepler discusses the many difficult and “uncomfortable” decisions required of an owner seeking to properly–and profitably–perpetuate the firm. Listen to this frank conversation as John offers some good news: It is never too late to start to implement a perpetuation strategy but it takes a “burn the ships” commitment. That is, once you start down the path there is no turning back. Get some good ideas for your firm from one of the industry’s best-known management consultant.
The podcast was published Monday, August 23, 2010. Run time is 25 minutes 43 seconds.
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In this Podcast Doug Pullman, a member of the Parker, Smith & Feek marketing team, describes the planning and process this top 100 broker went through to prepare for their launch into the world of Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and blogging. Doug discusses the very deliberate and measured approach the brokerage took, the importance of getting not only support but participation by senior management, and how success is tied to having a unified and comprehensive strategy.
Doug explains that the agency goal was to use social networking to help customers and prospects build a personal and emotional connection with the broker. They knew that they needed to be where 25% of their customer base was – the social Web. His advice to other agencies wanting to tap into the opportunity the social web offers: Take it slow, learn from others, and add your own voice.
The podcast was published Monday, August 9, 2010. Run time is 21 minutes 11 seconds.
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Listen to agency owner Claudia McClain explain why even in today’s social media world success involves more than just putting up a Facebook Fan Page. Claudia explains how her agency has continued to grow and prosper even in this difficult economic time. Her secret – an agency culture built around strong customer service and a blend of traditional marketing and social networking. While the agency has a blog (two actually), a Facebook Fan Page, a LinkedIn account and is on Twitter, it also touches each customer 12 times a year with traditional print media.
The message Claudia drives home is that social networking is not a Silver Bullet to success. Rather, she sees social networking as providing her with a new set of tools that has enabled her to expand the way she communicates with prospects and customers. Yet, the foundation of her success is rooted in traditional marketing principals and practices, and the understanding that building long-lasting trusted relationships not only takes time, but is hard work.
The podcast was published Monday, July 26, 2010. Run time is 27 minutes 26 seconds.
“On Point, with Peter van Aartrijk and Rick Morgan” is an audio conversation with insurance industry leaders who champion change and challenge all of us to think.
Texas agent David Berry has used the marketing lessons he learned from his experiences in the captive agency system to find success as an independent agent. Listen as Berry discusses how he uses traditional marketing practices, combined with the new tools of social media, to grow his business.
Berry understands the importance of investing in technology; but more importantly he understands the need to make sure it’s used wisely. He’s committed to building strong relationships and providing great service as he builds his new business, and credits social media as a powerful tool to help him contain costs and expand his reach. Peter and Rick particularly enjoyed listening to Berry speak passionately about the advantages and value of the Independent Agency System.
The podcast was published Monday, July 12, 2010. Run time is 20 minutes 41 seconds.
Filed under Podcasts, insurance branding · Tagged with direct mail, direct marketing, Facebook, independent agents, insurance branding, Insurance Journal, LinkedIn, Peter van Aartrijk, Rick Morgan, Social Networking, video, Web sites
“On Point, with Peter van Aartrijk and Rick Morgan” is an audio conversation with insurance industry leaders who champion change and challenge all of us to think.
Linda Rey is a second-generation agent and owner of Rey Insurance in Sleepy Hollow, New York. Frank Rey founded the agency in 1978 to serve bilingual clients in the local community.
Linda discusses how she has incorporated the use of social media into the agency’s marketing strategy. For Linda, it was an “effective way to be present, visible, and increase awareness and exposure.”
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Rick Morgan, VP-New Media, Aartrijk
Rick Morgan, vice president-new media of Aartrijk, was recently re-elected to the board of directors as a director-at-large of Big ‘I’ New York State (The Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of New York, Inc.).
About Big ‘I’ New York State: The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York, Inc. has represented the common business interests of independent insurance professionals since 1882. More than 1,900 agencies and their 18,000 employees currently rely on the DeWitt, New York-based not-for-profit trade association for legislative advocacy, continuing education and other means of industry support. In addition, many IIABNY members represent Trusted Choice®, a national consumer brand uniting more than 7,000 independent agencies across the United States. For more information, go to www.trustedchoice.com or www.iiabny.org.
On Point with Peter van Aartrijk and Rick Morgan is an audio conversation with insurance industry leaders who champion change and challenge all of us to think.
Paul Peeples, AAI, AIT, CPIM is Vice President of Information Systems at Florida Association of Insurance Agents (FAIA). His technology background, coupled with over 20 years experience in the insurance industry, has provided FAIA innovative ways to communicate with independent agents. In this episode, Paul tells Peter and Rick about ACT’s growing arsenal of social media resources, about life on the leading edge of technology and about FAIA’s free weekly “radio show” called Friday Morning Live!
The podcast was published Monday, March 1, 2010. Run time is 25 minutes 27 seconds.
Google Loves Blogs in 2010
On Point with Peter van Aartrijk and Rick Morgan is an audio conversation with insurance industry leaders who champion change and challenge all of us to think.
“Don’t be a binge blogger.”
These are the words of Liz Strauss, a blogger and social media educator, when discussing the importance of consistency over frequency. Other advice for new bloggers includes: using free web analytics to monitor metrics; using FAQs as initial blog posts; and the importance of a really good headline on a blog post.
Here’s another: “You are the chef that provides the content that Google serves up.”
Enjoy other morsels of blogging wisdom at Liz’s April SOBCon in Chicago, follow Liz on Twitter, or tune into this tasty episode.
The podcast was published Monday, February 1, 2010. Run time is 27 minutes 15 seconds.
On Point with Peter van Aartrijk and Rick Morgan is an audio conversation with insurance industry leaders who champion change and challenge all of us to think.
As Allstate’s social media manager, Marcia Hansen oversees Vehicle Vibes, an automotive blog geared toward women and young adults, and Friender Benders.com, an entertaining and irreverent user-generated content portal. Marcia is also the host of Vehicle Vibes Radio, live at 10am Central on Tuesdays.
As Allstate’s social media guru, Marsha was also a presenter at Aartrijk’s Brand Camp, talking about her role in marketing and the importance of listening to customers and prospects.
The podcast was published Monday, December 28, 2009. Run time is 29 minutes 3 seconds.
On Point with Peter van Aartrijk and Rick Morgan is an audio conversation with insurance industry leaders who champion change and challenge all of us to think.
In the eleventh episode, Peter and Rick talk with Chris Jordan of Atlanta Insurance Live in Atlanta, Georgia. Chris argues using video and live chat promotes transparency and gives agency owners and agents new ways to connect with their customers. Facebook, Twitter and the other social web tools add to his social media arsenal and provide an avenue to connect and establish relationships.
The podcast was published Monday, December 14, 2009. Run time is 18 minutes 23 seconds.
Filed under Podcasts, insurance branding · Tagged with Facebook, independent agents, insurance branding, Insurance Journal, Peter van Aartrijk, Podcast, Rick Morgan, Social Networking, Twitter, video
