Insurance Agencies & Social Media ―

Misconceptions & RealityJason Hoeppner, CIC

B. H. Burke & Co., Inc.

Insurance Agencies & Social Media ― Misconceptions & Reality

If you have not yet viewed the Socialnomics video, and we have more than 5 minutes before we start…Please click the link below (it is 4 ½ minutes long):

http://socialnomics.net/2010/05/05/social-media-revolution-2-refresh/

We will start at noon.

Agenda

• What are Social Media?

• Myths & Realities

• Why Should Our AgencyBe Using Social Media?

• What’s Next & Starting Resources

Agenda

• What are Social Media?

• Myths & Realities

• Why Should Our AgencyBe Using Social Media?

• What’s Next & Starting Resources

What Are Social Media?• The term “social media”, quite simply, refers to the

online tools that allow you to interact, communicate, and share with others, the only requirement being that you are both on the same platform … and have a shared “interest”.

• For insurance agencies, this means that in addition to walk-ins, phone calls, and emails, you now have an additional way to establish and build relationships with your clients and prospects.

What’s Out There

• MySpace• Flickr• Facebook• YouTube• Twitter• LinkedIn• Blogs• Website

Agenda

• What are Social Media?

• Myths & Realities

• Why Should Our AgencyBe Using Social Media?

• What’s Next & Starting Resources

Myth #1

• This social media trend is only a fad.

Reality:• Sure, the platform of today may not be

everyone’s favorite tomorrow (or next year); but regardless, what we are experiencing is a paradigm shift in the way people communicate.

Myth #2

• If I am on social media and someone makes a negative comment, it will hurt my brand.

Reality:• If your clients are online, comments may

already be being made about your “brand”. If you aren’t there to hear these comments, there is definitely no way you can respond.

Myth #3

• My clients are not on social media.

Reality• How do you know they aren’t? Have you

checked? Good chance your competitors have!

Myth #4• I don’t have time to participate on social media

platforms.

Reality:• You’re already spending time on the same things

you’d be doing through social media. Networking, building relationships, and researching prospects can all be done more quickly, and in some cases more effectively, online.

Myth #5

• Social Media are meant for sharing personal news.

Reality:• They are really good for that, but part of what

you need to consider is how you can use social media to show the “personal side” of your agency. And, many of the platforms are geared specifically toward business only.

Myth #6• Insurance is boring. Why would anyone want to

follow, friend, or connect with me or my agency?

Reality:• Sorry, got nothing. You’re right. • But seriously, it’s up to you to make it a little

more interesting and understandable. And, when it comes down to it, what do you talk about when you network?

Myth #7

• I can’t trust my employees to use it correctly. They might waste time or, worse, embarrass the agency.

Reality:• This concern implies that you have a deeper issue

at your agency. Being involved in social media will not automatically cause your employees’ behavior to worsen.

Myth #8

• Being on Social Media poses a serious E&O risk.

Reality:• Social media provide a more-public method of

communication than others, and thus pose some elevated E&O risk, but understanding how these media work significantly defuses that risk. And when in doubt, take the conversation to email, phone, or in person.

Myth #9

• I am a local agent. Why do I need to connect with people in (name a state…)?

Reality:• The use of social media does present a

geographic challenge … but there are easy and effective ways to localize your participation.

Myth #10

• Social media will bring me a ton of leads, convert me into a rock star, and even make my kids straight-A students.

Reality:• Social media will not be a panacea. You will

need to define your expectations and be ready to readjust them as you track your results.

Agenda

• What are Social Media?

• Myths & Realities

• Why Should Our AgencyBe Using Social Media?

• What’s Next & Starting Resources

Why Should Our AgencyBe Using Social Media?

Maybe you shouldn’t… ; ) … but realize that your competitors might be.

If we have addressed concerns you had about social media, you definitely should take the next step and discover whether and how these tools could become your business ally.

And, if you don’t want to be that agency five years from now that doesn’t have a social media presence, you might want to start exploring it now.

Agenda

• What are Social Media?

• Myths & Realities

• Why Should Our AgencyBe Using Social Media?

• What’s Next & Starting Resources

What’s Next?

• Take a look at what you’re currently doing for marketing, networking, and relationship-building.

• Determine where your clients & prospects are.

• Put together a strategy and get the right people to lead the initiative.

• Tune into the next BHBCo webinar.

Starting Resources

• B. H. Burke & Co., Inc. (!!)

• Agency Social Media Template & Webinarshttp://www.iiaba.net/act

• http://www.mashable.com

• Aggregators:– TweetDeck (http://www.tweetdeck.com)– HootSuite (http://hootsuite.com)– Seesmic: (http://seesmic.com)

If You Have Further Questions

• Link Up & Follow Me!– twitter.com/JasonBHBCo– linkedin.com/in/JasonBHBCo– facebook.com/JasonBHBCo

• The Old Fashioned Way!– Jason@bhbco.com– (860) 399-8288