State Auto Digital Agent

Ask yourself this, "when is the last time I saw client X?" Now imagine someone asking client X, "when is the last time you saw your agent?" The answer is probably the same, "I can't remember." As much as we'd like to meet face to face with every client we work with or hope to represent, it just isn't always possible. However, just because it isn't possible to meet in person, there is no reason why your clients shouldn't feel like they just saw you. In today's business world marketing options are plentiful, but none may be more effective than simply marketing your face. During one of my very first sales calls, I met with an ex-captive agent who worked for a large insurance company. We discussed one of the company's studies which compared two separate captive agencies. One of the agents used a traditional business card and the other had all the same traditional information, but included ...

Are your clients expecting that you will communicate with them on social media and through text messages? As digital communication methods continue to evolve, people are becoming more depending on technology to interact with service providers.  The topic of managing errors and omissions concerns while using new methods of communication was discussed at the Midwestern Region Agency Advisory Council meeting this year. To provide resources and guidance in this area, the State Auto team conducted interviews with leading technology experts in the insurance industry and researched tips for managing your E&O exposure in today’s digital environment.  The bottom line: Agents should evaluate their agency workflow and procedures and plan to evolve along with changing client needs. If implemented successfully, your process will contribute to better customer service in addition to managing your E&O and compliance needs.  Tips for Managing E&O with Digital Com...

There’s something special about waking up on a cool, Fall Sunday morning and wrapping my hands around that first cup of warm coffee, preparing for a relaxing day of watching NFL football. I settle on the couch and turn on the TV to watch my favorite team, the Kansas City Chiefs.  The thought of relaxing is replaced with panic as I flip through the channels, searching for the game. Living in Ohio as a Chiefs fan means that the games are rarely on TV, unless they’re playing the Browns or Bengals.  Feeling defeated, I quickly search online to look for alternatives. I happily discover I could listen to the game and other features online – via a live podcast – through the NFL.com or Chiefs online radio network! Crisis averted! The benefits of creating podcasts for your clients Podcasts are audio files/segments that are available for download through the Internet. Think of hosting your very own radio show where you can provide quick, archivable snippets of information to ...

We now see regular examples of people turning to social media during times of disaster and other emergencies. Why is social media being used in this way, and what does this mean for the insurance industry? The Red Cross surveyed people who said they used social media in an emergency situation. Here’s what they found: 76% contacted friends and family who were affected by the disaster 24% let their family and friends know they were okay 37% used information on social media to buy supplies or find shelter 44% asked their friends on social media to contact responders for help 80% Expect emergency response agencies to monitor and respond to social media These responses indicate that people tend to use the easiest, most accessible means possible when they need to communicate with loved ones and take basics steps for survival. When a disaster happens, first responders, and aid organizations need to get important messages to the people impacted, and so do insuranc...

If you feel like you haven’t heard much about YouTube anymore, it may be because the original video-sharing network is so pervasive that it now needs no introduction. YouTube reaches more U.S. adults ages 18-34 than any cable network. The good news is that your agency can take advantage of YouTube in a number of ways, and not all of them require an extensive video budget.  8 Ways to Use YouTube Create a “Company Channel” on YouTube for your agency. Upload your logo to brand as your agency. On this channel, you can: Post videos you create (both professionally created and short video messages you create with your smartphone). Collect lists of videos you think will be valuable to your clients. These are called Playlists, and they can include videos posted to YouTube that you didn’t create but you want your clients to see. You can create a Playlist for a topic, such as Identity Theft or Workplace Safety. Respond to comments people post on your videos, even just to say “than...

Be honest. What do you do when you receive an advertisement flier in the mail? If you’re like me, you put it in the recycling pile right away without  reading it. Do you ever wonder if your potential customers are doing that to your material? Hate to tell you this, but most likely they are. While traditional marketing efforts have their place, content marketing is proving to be the key player in today’s business world. What is content marketing? Consumer behavior has changed, thanks in part to our on-the-go lifestyles and mobile devices. Buyers want reputable, relevant and electronically shareable information – not a sales pitch – that provides real insight into a product or service before they purchase it. Not only do they want information about the product itself, they want additional resources that give them more bang for their buck.  Want to sell your customer auto insurance? Post a graphic like the one at right or an article from a reputable source on your Facebook ...

Do you know enough about Instagram to know if your insurance agency should be using it? With 150 million people around the world (40% of them in the U.S.) and 25% of the Fortune 500 using Instagram, it’s worth your time to make an educated decision about how your agency can benefit. Instagram is an app on your smartphone that lets you take pictures with your phone, add interesting effects to the photo, and share it with people.  You can take any photo and make it look like you took it in 1976 or that you used a professional camera.  The ease of sharing the photo lets people give their friends – and often people around the world – small glimpses into their experiences. Why would you want a glimpse into someone’s life? It may be for entertainment – you can follow LeBron James ( @KingJames ) and see things from his perspective.  It may be for inspiration – from your favorite author, business leader or motivational speaker. It might simply be to follow your daughter’s p...