Web 2.0 Work Group - Agents Council for Technology (ACT)

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Permalink Reply by Ron Mills on October 28, 2009 at 8:02pm

I just started a the New Media Director for http://www.headquarterinsurance.com/ I will keep you up to date

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Permalink Reply by David Berry on April 7, 2010 at 10:23am

Rick,

I am a new agency owner, but extremely technically savvy. My site developer (and good friend) explained how other industries used social media for their businesses. I've noticed that I am one a small group of agents that use linked in, twitter, and facebook as a part of my overall strategy.

It's only been about 3 months since my website was launched, but initially, I've noticed I get better responses from my social circles when I share information versus attempting to advertise. For example, when I first launched in December 2009, I spammed everyone I knew and told them to take a look at my site. That got me very little response. After talking to my developer again, she explained that I should take a lighter, passive, yet long term approach to keyword targeting and marketing. As a result, I began sharing content which I consider useful and interesting. Along with that, I began adding videos to my site highliting customer savings.

Now it's been almost 4 months since I launched my site. I can tell you with all certainty that agents have to find a way to continuously update their sites even if they have someone do the updating for them. I've noticed that I am starting to get referrals and requests via social linked in and facebook. My social network has doubled in size. In fact, Google has now indexed my site. It is a constant struggle because we've seen my site go as high as page 8(not good enough) for keywords like Texas auto insurance, texas home insurance. However, I am now ranked #1 locally through google's local business.

As far as customer service issues, I social media has allowed me to better keep in touch with my client base. I ask all my clients to go to my site at www.txinsurancepro.com and connect with me directly using the social media outlet of their choice. This allows me to keep tabs on them regardless of the outlet. In several instances, clients whose computers have crashed were able to go into their facebook pages and send me emails requesting service on their policies. In the past 3 months, I witnessed two divorces playout on facebook. In both cases, I was able to keep my business relationships with both parties. I have not had to play damage control yet due to any problems.

For the most part social media has helped me grow. I encourage my clients to share their experiences with their social circles. I have a weekly meeting scheduled with my webdeveloper & social media consultants to discuss our next 3 months. We are in the process of adding more pages to the site. We want my site to be an insurance information watering hole that readily communications with different social media outlets. I will gladly keep you posted as to what happens moving forward.

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Permalink Reply by Rick Morgan on April 7, 2010 at 10:59am

Hi Ron,

Thanks for your reply. While you are correct that the number of agents using Social Media as part of their overall strategy is relatively small, I am happy to report that it is quickly growing. I now have over 250 insurance folks on my Twitter insurance list. Also, a search of "insurance Agent" on Facebook will turn up hundreds of agents with Facebook Fan pages. You are correct that "shouting" BUY does not work and like in-person relationships building relationships takes time. I am sure you have found that blogging is one of the very best ways to drive traffic to your site and can be a very effective tool and discipline in your overall social web strategy. BTW - I also applaud your use of Video. Thanks again!!!

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