5 Networking Tips Every Insurance Agent Needs

Sales can be tough, but selling insurance might be even tougher. And when 40% of salespeople agree that prospecting is the most challenging aspect of sales, understanding how to network as an insurance agent can be the difference between success and failure as an agent, and yet only 25% of people actually network. 

These networking ideas for insurance agents will help you drive business while building lasting, long-term relationships with clients. If you’re ready to make the networking come more naturally and avoid pushing away prospects, then keep reading. 

1. Build Professional Relationships: Whether you’re just starting out as an agent or have been in the game for years, building your network of professional relationships is the very best networking for insurance agents. Real estate agents, dealerships, financial advisors, and more will all be in a position to recommend you as an insurance agent to their clients—and you want that referral.
   
   After all, 92% of consumers trust referrals from people they know. By focusing on these relationships early on, you’ll reap the benefits throughout your career. Be sure to repay the favor: as an insurance agent, you also have a line of sight into when your clients are looking to make major life changes and can easily pass along referrals to your network.
   
   
2. Maintain Your Online Presence: While it’s true that the insurance industry is slow to adapt and change, it’s not so stuck in the past that social media and the internet don’t have a place in insurance sales. In order to fully network and grow your book of business, you need to have an online presence—and an active one at that. Need proof? 78% of social sellers are outselling peers who don’t use social media.
   
   An active online presence is a key to getting to know your clients and staying on top of their major life changes that could mean an insurance sale for you. You’ll also be able to make connections with prospects and become a trusted referral. Be sure to share information, tips, and other helpful content to position yourself as an expert in the field and help keep yourself top of mind for clients and prospects.
   
   Not to mention, it’s a great way to boost your visibility by getting reviews and feedback. After all, 49% of consumers who have had a positive customer experience say that they would share it on social media or post a review online (compared to just 30% of consumers who’ve had a negative experience). If you don’t have an active social media and web presence, you’re missing out on easy wins.
   
   
3. Volunteer: This is an easy tip when it comes to how to network as an insurance agent. Volunteering regularly in your community is a great way to help prospects and clients put a face to the name and get to know you outside of the business relationship. It also shows you care about helping to better your community, which can lead to more loyal clients.
   
   While it might feel uncomfortable to think about volunteering as a way to boost your sales, if you can do good in your community while helping your business grow, there’s nothing wrong with that. And to put it into perspective, individuals between the ages of 35 and 54 are the most likely to volunteer their time, which is often the prime demographic for all types of insurance (read this to find out how to better capture this age group).
   
   So, pick a cause and spend some time each week volunteering to boost your name recognition in your community and do some good while you’re at it. 
   
   
4. Buy Local: Some of the best networking for insurance agents happens when you aren’t even trying to network. If you’re looking for an easy tip for how to network as an insurance agent, start buying more locally. Buying from local businesses and farmer’s markets often leads to friendly conversation, which is a great opportunity to get your name out there while helping to strengthen your community and its economy. And when 77% of consumers buy from brands that share the same values as them, buying local shows you care about the same things your clients care about.
   
   
5. Play the Long Game: Here’s the thing: everyone eventually needs insurance. The truth about insurance sales is that it’s often about the long game and even if someone doesn’t buy from you now, they might later. Every interaction and relationship can eventually lead to a sale, even if it doesn’t happen for years.
   
   One of the most important networking tips for insurance agents is to always be networking, in both your personal and professional life. After all, clients can come from anywhere. This mindset will help you slowly but surely build a book of business that lasts for your entire career, with loyal, repeat clients. And when you consider the fact that loyal clients are worth up to 10x as much as their first purchase, it’s clear that building a long-term relationship with a client or prospect is more important than scoring a quick, one-time sale.