Monthly News Letters?

Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 07:04 pm Post Subject:

It's more effort and/or expense than you think. Consider quarterly.
I've instead used a series of informative (and e&o preventing) letters. Just have to type the letters once then my managment system (TAM) automatically prints a new letter quarterly for each client all I have to do is get them in an envelope and stamped.
Also staggered it by doing about 40-60 clients a week durring the intial set up so it's not like I have a thousands of letters all at once every three months.

Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 10:18 pm Post Subject:

thanks for the tip,
Did you create your own letters or were they pre designed for a specific type of insurance?
what do you recommend for a management system?

Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 11:34 pm Post Subject:

My partner and I write the letters ourselves, they're basically like newsletter articles. They're sequential, so new clients get a letter 30 days after signing that tells them about all the products and services we offer, the rest explain optional coverages, occasionally report on a community project we've participated in, etc. and it's set up so that every client/account gets a letter every 90 days. It helps with E&O by providing evidence that we've offered various optional coverages as well as improving the bottom line. When the letter explaining personal umbrella's first went out, the response was incredible.

As for a management system, I remember from other posts that you're just starting as a captive right?

I'm using TAM by Applied Systems, but it's really expensive, kind of the cadillac of agency managment systems. It's all we've used since I've been involved so I don't have any experience with the competitors. I know Applied has some other's so you may want to check it out. I hope someone else may know of a more economical system that still has the ability to merge with microsoft office programs like Word and Outlook.

Even if you have to do it manually at first it's still worth it. Anything that puts your name in front of faces on a regular basis is.

Best of Luck.

Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 04:57 am Post Subject:

I don't usually do newsletters per-se. Just like fishman posted above, if you get to specific about your products, outside of a company brochure, you might run into a compliance problem.

Instead I send my clients a simple letter basically wishing them well, letting them know if they have any questions or concerns I am just a phone call away, and if they have any additional insurance needs, I am here to help them.

I also let them know I would always be glad to help any friends or family that needs help with their health insurance.

With that I include a referral form and a self addressed stamped envelope.
I do this quarterly along with mailing birthday cards and chrismas cards.

It is a little costly for stamps to do this, but pays off really well. Costs a lot less than other types of lead generation and also helps with business retention.

mac

Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 11:31 pm Post Subject:

Fishman, yes I am captive and just starting out (about 2 months)
I think I will do the quarterly newsletter, I do send out a thank you letter requesting referrals.
I like the idea about adding a referral sheet with a self address stamped envelope.
I am not aware of a certain system that we are using, but it would be nice to find something that would work with word etc.
thanks for the tips

Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 04:29 pm Post Subject: Leads from the Source with a Personal Touch

system edited-spam deleted

Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 08:59 pm Post Subject:

I create my own. I use the same template but update the information monthly. I have a master email list of all my clients and, through Outlook, have developed "one" contact to send to - that lists each one of them. I update that "one" contact with new customers and customers who have left. The information changes of course - depending on season, what is happening locally, etc. There are several sites I have subscribed to that send me insurance news, insurance jokes, etc so I can include those in my newsletter.

I have done this for almost a year and have yet to hear anyone say they didn't enjoy receiving it.

Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 09:36 pm Post Subject:

What has your sucess rate been with generate sales or leads from the newsletters?

Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 09:47 pm Post Subject:

I don't use them to generate leads or sales.

I send monthly e-letters to my existing customers so I have a constant "touch" with them and my name stays in their mind. Many times you hear people say they never hear from their agent. I don't want that to be me.

I will say that this is the primary reason I have the one of the highest retention percentages in my region.

It's one of those things that you can't pull an immediate ROI on; but I know that my customers like them and will more than likely (and have) refer me to their friends.

Remember, you only type one e-letter - maybe takes me an hour from start to finish - and then one click to send to all my clients.