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Can you think of a small business that doesn’t use email? What about a small business that doesn’t use the internet? While cybercrime has traditionally been considered more of a concern for larger organizations, that trend has shifted quickly.

Although we’ve been seeing indications of a hardening market for some time now, the state of the insurance industry shows no signs of shifting directions. Independent insurance agents will be feeling the squeeze when it comes to being able to provide coverage for clients. Here's how you can succeed despite the hard market.

Picking the right technology can be a daunting task for any independent agency. Whether you’re a one-person band or orchestrating offices across multiple states, your agency’s needs are unique—and you need solutions that fit your business.

Two years removed from the start of the pandemic and the global economy continues to face a wealth of uncertainty. Rising interest rates and continued inflationary pressure threaten nearly every sector. In the insurance business, challenges abound as agents navigate an ongoing hard market and shrinking capacity.

As an independent agent, you have the combined superpowers of ease, choice and advice. While your daily to-do list can make your super-powers feel mundane, a coverage consultation with you could be the most important conversation of someone’s life!

In 2013 Insurance Journal surveyed a number of independent insurance agents about their formal business plans. Just 15 percent of respondents said they had a formal plan for the growth of their agency.

Here are some signs, in an honest moment, you may see that tell you it’s time to sell.

When it comes to tracking, managing, and reporting data, each agency, company or individual will have their own priorities. Whether you’re tracking Premium totals, retention, new business, umbrella, or BOP, all agencies can benefit from two things: Data Integrity and Data security.

Everyone has different visions of what they want from life and how they want to spend their careers. In talking with many of our agents we’ve found how vastly different everyone’s visions of their agency’s futures truly are...

Stand-out marketing suggestions from Smart Choice agency partners through the years.

The article presents 12 marketing and sales strategies to boost business in the latter half of 2023, including holding an open house, developing lead flows, networking, following up on leads, writing thank you notes, implementing a referral program, hosting workshops, using email marketing, scheduling annual customer reviews, taking training courses, engaging in the community, and conducting employee reviews.

Marketing your agency effectively and economically can be achieved by utilizing short-form video content, posting videos on social media, and utilizing thought leadership content to position yourself as an expert. Personalized handwritten letters and LinkedIn Sales Navigator are additional ways to reach potential clients.