With December more than halfway done, it’s time to take a look back at the last year in your insurance agency and figure out what you can do to finish the year strong. Even with just a couple of weeks left in 2021, there is still more than enough time to end the year on a good note. As a bonus, doing so will let you start 2022 on the right foot.
Take Care of the Small Issues You’ve Been Putting Off
Look at your insurance agency and your life in general and see what minor annoyances have an easy fix but you’ve been putting off. Then, take care of the issues. These can include things as small as you want. Spend a few minutes getting organized or refining your agency’s scripts, for example.
If there are larger annoyances that have gotten in your way, at least take steps to resolve them. For example, maybe your current management system is hard to use or lacks some features. Even if you don’t have time to fully transition to a new system by the end of the year, at least start looking into better options. You may be surprised by how easy it is to switch.
Have That Conversation You’ve Been Putting Off
Just like there are likely minor physical annoyances you’ve been putting off, you may have some difficult conversations you’ve been avoiding. Go ahead and have them.
And if you need an extra push to start the conversation, remember that people can’t fix a problem if they don’t know it exists. So, if you feel like you are constantly correcting another agent’s paperwork, talk to them and refresh their memory on how to do it properly. Don’t let things continue to fester!
Commit To Stop Putting Things Off
Overall, you should make an effort to stop procrastinating and putting things off in general if you want to finish the year strong. Remind yourself that if you handle the task now, you don’t have to worry about it later.
Follow Marie Kondo’s Advice
When you think of Marie Kondo, you likely think of getting rid of unnecessary clutter in your home. But your insurance agency can also follow the same strategy. Maybe you have old, branded items from insurance carriers you don’t even work with anymore or just have an excessive backlog of old magazines in your lobby. If you look around the office, you will likely find some things you can get rid of. Just make sure you don’t accidentally toss important documents in the process.
Review Old Leads and Prospects
Take a look at your documents and customer information to see if there are any leads you failed to follow up on. Also check for leads that you did follow up with but that need another push to convert. Then, send that email or make a phone call to get the ball rolling and see if you can convert them.
Think Ahead
Part of closing out the year strong is having clear goals for the following year. So, take some time to think about your future and set goals for your insurance agency as a whole and your individual professional growth. Make your goals realistic and as detailed as possible, as this helps set you up for success.
Ask for Referrals
Consider asking your satisfied clients for referrals if you haven’t done so recently. This is the most effective way of getting qualified leads. You will likely be surprised by how many customers are happy to give you a referral; you just haven’t asked them yet.
Send Holiday Greetings
To boost client satisfaction (and the likelihood of referrals), you want to make sure that clients know you care about them. One simple way to do this is by sending them holiday greetings. This will not only show that you are thinking about them, helping build a personal connection, but it will also serve to keep your agency in their mind.
Become More Social
If you don’t already have a social media marketing strategy, this is a great time to start one. That’s especially true because many people will be on vacation from work and spending more time on social media. This gives you an opportunity to show people online that you are an industry leader.
Give Back to the Community
The holiday season is a time for giving, and participating in the spirit of giving is another excellent way to close the year out strong. To start, you will end the year with a positive attitude and the happiness that comes from knowing you’ve helped others. On top of that, it can be some positive PR for your agency.
So, keep these tips in mind as you prepare to close out 2021 on a high note.