Age and Success?

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 02:11 pm Post Subject:

This is a test because I'm having a problem posting.

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 03:44 pm Post Subject:

When I was starting out in the business, an "older" agent told me this after I told him I was going to work the affluent business owner market. I'm paraphrasing, but this is pretty close to his words.

Don't bother, you won't succeed because he's doing business with me. He's my peer. We live in the same neighborhood and we belong to the same golf club. I went to his daughters wedding. He convinced me to trade in my BMW for a Mercedes. I convinced him to go to Belize instead of St. Martin. You'll never get your foot in the door. If you do, he won't take you seriously because you don't have the knowledge and wisdom and experiences to talk to him at his level. If you're really good, and you do finally get him to meet with you and listen to what you have to say, you know what he's going to do? He's going to catch me the next time we're at the club or a cocktail party or a fundraiser and ask me about what you told him. And you know what I'm going to do? I'm going to sell him. Don't waste your time.

He then said something about "prospect to your peers" and "they will grow with you" and "smaller sales but more sales" but I was so pissed off by what he said I didn't hear it.

After a couple of years struggling to be an "estate planner" and "business advisor" and a "financial planner", in desperation, I started selling life insurance to people like me. Young people having kids, buying houses, getting started. I wrote a lot of term insurance and built a good base of clients and grew with them. We haven't quite made it to the "older / affluent" class yet, but we're getting there fast. Our kids play lacrosse together and we moved into the same, nicer (more expensive) neighborhood, and we have the same accountant and .... well, you get the idea.

I'm not convinced the old arrogant agent I met was entirely right, but there was a whole lot of truth in what he said. And I'm not an old arrogant agent yet, but I've got a little gray now and I've been playing this game for a while. Don't give up trying to get those older more affluent clients, but remember to keep focused on people like you, your age, your neighbors. If this is your career, they are your older affluent clients.

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 03:34 pm Post Subject: MrStan

Your age is your greatest asset. You have more energy and enthusiasm than alot of the older agents. Work hard, work long. You can do that when you are younger.

It's an asset!




*System Edited : Link moved to Signature as per TOS

Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 07:27 pm Post Subject:

I do not believe that age is an issue. As long as you are professional and you attend to your Insured's needs, then you will be taken seriously. I started in this business at 17 years old and am now 29 and have moved my way up to office manager. Yes, at times I think, why me? I'm still so young, but I have proven myself.

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 01:00 pm Post Subject:

I think, age must be about 30-35 for success. People don't trust younger agents.

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 03:27 pm Post Subject:

I don't think there is a set age that does better than another. It's all how the agent goes about it. If they work hard, get good centers of influences, make a name for themselves, and gather all the knowledge they can about their business and their clients/prospects....etc. I agree that you might not be able to get the respect older agent does(at the beginning), but once you can make a personable impression, it should be easier. It is always easier to relate to the same age group as you. Hope this helps!

Thanks!

Agent Clint :wink:

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 04:21 pm Post Subject:

im new here... and thx ive learned a lot from the expert comments

best wishes