New agents - beware of the sharks! I have read and reread all of the "advice" offered on this forum and especially this thread. There are two types of folks on here - recruiters and new agents that are trying to figure out which way to go. Unfortunately, there are too many recruiters on here trying to sway agents that they are the "experts" in final expense. The only training that is offered through anybody is online audio or video and conference calls. Back in the day(1990) for me - someone rode in the car with me and showed me the ropes...for that I am still thankful to this day for the training. The one thing that they did not have to teach me was how to WORK...I all ready had work ethic and with a little training, I was off and running. If you do not have a good work ethic, then take a look in the mirror and realize it - then do yourself a favor and seek another profession, because this(fe)will never work for you.
If anyone tries to recruit you - ask them how much overwrite they will be getting on your contract...then ask yourself if this recruiter is going to EARN that 25 - 50 percent overwrite. For that price they better be willing to get on a plane if necessary, go to where you are and get in the car with you. If they will do that - then great - they probably will be able to earn that overwrite. If not, then don't sign a contract would be my advice. These recruiters are building their sales volume and padding their pockets. If they will not give you a straight answer, then your gut should lead you from there.
How about we that have some experience, try to simply offer some sound advice to new agents...help someone get into this business and better the lives of others. I can tell you this, as a college graduate there are a lot of things I could do other than this - but nothing I know of other than being a surgeon that will generate the same income as working in insurance and specifically fe.
I suppose I will come under verbal attack from the guru recruiters that bash each other back and forth on here - but I for one am tired of the sharks that are taking advantage of new agents and earning ridiculous overwrite commissions for doing nothing.
For new agents, choose your path - trust who you are dealing with and then go to work with everything that you've got.
Now this is exactly what I'm talking about right here! And as Emptyeternity said, "for what? A weeks worth of training?" It is no secret on here that I do offer contracts to agents. I also happily disclose what I am making on them, and trust me, it ain't that much!
I make no where near 25-50% on an agent. As a matter of fact, there are many on this very forum that can attest to what I give and what I do for them and all for 5-10%! Most of the time it's only the lower of the two. I have no problem in disclosing what I make, but that's just me. I'm not saying that everyone should do this and I know a lot wouldn't because if the agent knew, the recruiter wouldn't be able to justify it and they would just lose a potential agent.
Now if anybody wants to refer to me as a 'shark', then let them. I don't do the shark thing very well as I've been screwed by all the sharks too, I too am tired of it and I help every agent I can to learn what's really going on in the business so that they don't get bitten.
As a matter of fact, there are some sharks right here on this forum that have a real problem with the contracts I offer. Well, get over it!
If there is a green agent, I have no problem in letting them know...no, I don't offer leads, but I'll tell you where you can get them at a good price....no, I don't offer training but I'll tell you all I can. If someone needs training because they are new, then I'm probably not the guy to see. If you just need a little help in understanding how to talk on the phone, get appointments or even sell on the phone, I'll help you. I won't do it forever, therefore, I won't take that big chunk of commissions forever. I try to let you be independent and let you decide whether or not you want to take advantage of the higher contracts. I don't sit back while you're on an 80% contract and try to convince you that I've done good by you. Not my style!