Blog + Magazine

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.

"Leveraging Referrals: Maximizing Your Business Relationships for New Lead Generation" emphasizes the importance of leveraging referrals in financial service providers' marketing efforts. Doug Witcher highlights the benefits of referrals, such as higher trust from customers and a higher likelihood of closing a deal, and provides tips on how to effectively utilize referrals in a business, such as asking for referrals, making it easy for customers to refer others, and being appreciative of referrals.

Commercial Lines:

Solving the Revenue Equation

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That morning Bill woke up with laryngitis. “Great,” he croaked at the mirror, “the big sale is today, and I sound horrible.” Stopping off at the pharmacy on the way in for some lozenges, he found his voice in even worse shape. While he could talk, it was just barely above a whisper and for not more than a few sentences.

Over the past few years, more customers have started seeking out local deliveries of food and goods. This has caused a shift in the commercial auto and trucking space, dramatically impacting the demand for delivery and driving growth in the gig-economy delivery market.

By now you’re aware that Smart Start Commercial is an efficient way for agencies of all sizes to profitably write small commercial. Whether your agency is a start-up looking to gain access to our portfolio of Standard National Carriers and establish acumen in the Commercial arena, or a larger Commercially-focused shop leveraging the efficiencies of the Smart Start team to write and service small business clients profitably, Smart Start is a one-size-fits-all solution!   

In my home state of Minnesota, we have two seasons: winter and cabin season. Cabin season has finally arrived. The highways clog with RVs and trucks towing boats as people get out of Dodge and head up north to their cabins. I’m sure it’s the same in your neck of the woods during the summer months.

Gulraiz brought a lot to the table. He had experience as a claims adjuster and analyst. He spoke six languages and had done a lot to establish himself. So, he was looking for a place where he could use all his acquired skills and knowledge. When he heard Smart Choice® could help him set up his own agency, get his foot in the door with the carriers, and he didn’t have to pay anything, he said, “Great!”

“I knew from the very moment I met with Jeremy that he had that the “IT” factor that would absolutely make him successful not only in insurance, but any field he chose to be involved in. With that mentality, success will absolutely follow.” Rick Mathews, Smart Choice® Marketing Manager. And the success did follow. Jeremy Powers, a former captive, built his new agency from zero, to a book of approximately $1.6 million, within 18 months.