Senior Healthcare Consultants/RJR Insurance

Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 06:33 pm Post Subject: LOL - AFLAC / American National

Ha! I was just typing in the rest of my email on AFLAC. Sorry, I hit send before I could get to the part about AFLAC. Give me a minute or so. When I went back everything I wrote on AFLAC just vanished. Weird. Be back with that info in a bit! Gotta rewrite it. I know I write a lot, so I'll try and keep it short. Sorry.

Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 06:46 pm Post Subject: Okay, found my original - Scroll down to the bottom...

I started in the industry working for American National after I graduated college. I was a bit nervous going into sales on straight 100% commission, so I took a job as a agent with them b/c they paid me a base salary every week. Course, the downside is you have little freedom (8AM to 6PM Mon-Fri and 8AM to 1PM on Saturday) and compared to straight commission jobs in this industry, they paid tiny commissions... but again, they do pay you a weekly salary.

So, if you are a bit weary about entering this industry on the direct sales side, particularly in this economy, I really think you should look at American National.

Oh, plus they give you insurance for you and your family after 90 days, retirement benefits, etc... kinda like what my wife used to say to me, get a "real job". What she meant, bless her heart, was she didn't want me to take a risky job b/c in straight commission sales, if you don't sell, you don't make any money and you end up paying to go to work. Some people I knew (and still do to this day) that had failed in this industry had such financial difficulty that it literally cost them their marriage. I wasn't ready to take that risk. American National provided me the chassis I needed to understand the entire life/health insurance sales industry and then I was able to gain enough confidence (and my wife's backing this time!) to go into "my real job" as a straight commission agent... my own boss.

Hey, if anyone would like me to shoot them a recommendation for you, no problem. I don't know if I can put my email on here, so if you know another site where I could give it to you, let me know. I am still on good terms w/ American National, so I think my recommendation could help out... well, it certainly won't hurt! lol

I worked for AFLAC next. Similar to American National, but AFLAC had no salary or base and I was a 1099 v/s an employee. In other words, I was 100% straight commission. No sales, no money, I paid all my expenses, gas, mileage, food, etc... all they gave me was more training. And yes, I was totally captive w/ them.

Now I work as a pure independent broker. It's true, that is the riskiest b/c you are literally your own boss, your own business owner. I'm contracted with about 25 or so carriers, so I have a diverse product portfolio to offer. I learned how to do some annuites, which in this market... is AWESOME!!!!! Really cool, major $$. (just can't tell the wife or she'll spend it on ridiculously price shoes and purses and such! lol). But, fellas, I tell ya the truth, it took me YEARS to get stable and finally be able to survive and survive now as a wealthy man in this business. I do advise working for a organization that will provide you strict training and I'd follow it to the "T" of what all they teach you. Don't give up. You can do this.

Take care and stay positive!

Oh, and regarding Bankers Life and Mutual of Omaha, go to a site called Give Me The Scoop and check them out. That's a pretty reliable source I think. But, skip over the really bitter angry ones and go to the ones that seem more real/sincere, as that is likely the most credible info.

Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 06:46 pm Post Subject: Thanks

Bo,



Great advice for those who do not have the stomach for some of the stuff many on here are talking about. It really is crazy out there right now and this is not the only site out there to prove it.

I had to go back to a true “real job” , as you put it, and work in some pretty crummy situations part time in this industry before I could try it on my own again. It cost me a house and a marriage the first time and if things don’t pick up soon I will likely be in the same boat.

Thank you very much for taking the time to share your advice as I am sure many will benefit from it. If you have any insight on any other carrier that are not a “real job”, I like the own boss part of things too and I am afraid I will lose that soon if I can’t get a better deal going, please share that as well. I know I would love to investigate better opportunities out there like everyone else on here.



Thanks again for taking the time to help! And thanks in advance to anyone else out there who would like to help as well!

Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 04:25 am Post Subject: try it out

For some of those asking questions about this industry, it has been my experience that there are lots of different ways to make it work for you. One of the problems is you almost have to try different opportunities until you find the right fit. I encourage those of you looking to get into the insurance industry to look at the big picture when entering this field.

Some people do better focusing on one particular product while others thrive when being able to offer lots of different options. Some people thrive in a structured environment while others prosper with more freedom to make their own decisions. Some do great on the phone while others cannot get anyone to listen to them unless in person. Etc, etc, etc.

The big picture though is that there are a lot of good people working in this business doing a lot of good things for their clients out there and making good money while doing so. The single most important thing in my experience is building a solid client base and foundation from which to grow your business. If you can successfuly get to the point that you have enough clients to provide you with enough referrals, you can excel in this industry for a long time.

There are no true get rich quick schemes out there, that's for certain. Remember what you are working towards as you go forward in this business and realize it will take some time and effort to get there. Just my 2 cents.

Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 05:08 am Post Subject: 9123

9123, I'm pretty sure I am not supposed to put an email address on this blog site. If you will tell me a site that will, then I can give you my email or you give me yours and I'll just fire over an email to you with some of my thoughts on what you might consider (although I am not sure what state you're in), then you choose a couple I know and contact them, then I will follow up with my rec on you! I really don't like wearing out on posts. I don't have time to keep up. lol

Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 06:24 am Post Subject: How to Succeed in an Insurance Sales Career

I I find it funny that most of the bloggers who post on here are great critics, but it seems few can actually build and produce. It reminds me of a quote that “people either make solutions or excuses but rarely both.”

To be clear to all who read this and try and explain their own failures and shortcomings and attempt to direct the blame somewhere else – Insurance sales is a VERY tough industry, it is not for everyone. It’s not that difficult intellectually, and almost anyone can pass their state exam. However it takes a unique individual, who is willing to risk, and takes chances, and get up again and again. If you are serious about this industry find a successful agent and ask them for an HONEST answer if it was an easy road – anyone who is honest will tell you it’s a long hard road to success in this industry. Then ask them if it’s worth it and you’ll also get a yes.

Maybe the fault lies in many of the insurance companies because to get new recruits they promise the moon, and when people first start they think they’re winning the lottery – if they’d be more truthful and tell new recruits that this will be the hardest thing they’ve ever done in their lives . . . . of course maybe the fault also lies with the recruit not being honest with themselves either. Many come in flat broke, with a spouse that is unsupportive of a 100% commission industry. I see so many come in and try it for a few weeks and then blame the leads or the company or the training or whatever.

The truth is if you want to make the income of Doctors, Lawyers and CPA’s you’re going to need to go through the same amount of schooling they did – in insurance sales this is earned on the street seeing clients, and getting told” NO” over and over and over and over again. It doesn’t take weeks or months, it takes years. The cool part is you get to earn while you learn and each year your income will grow (mine did). Today I make a 6-figure income before I get out of bed, and my clients come to me, but it took 10+ years to get here.

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 06:46 pm Post Subject:

Everything you have said is true. And others have made similar comments. My only question is why did you post this under "Insurance Frauds" instead of under "Insurance Agents" a couple of clicks lower on the menu?

Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 08:10 pm Post Subject: Get over it

Just because you don't agree with something doesn't make it a "scam".

Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 03:34 am Post Subject: Bottom 5% of the 20%

I could not agree more! Stop being such wimps and take responsibility.

Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 03:39 am Post Subject:

Meant to say the bottom 20% of the bottom 20%.