Insurance Agent Forum

[Vitamin C]

I have always viewed the back of my business card as an opportunity for a marketing message. Or, it would obviously be nice to have some bit of information there that would create additional value in the prospect keeping your business card for a practical purpose.

Prime examples here would be printing a calendar or schedule for tipping etc. Someone may then carry this card in their wallet for the additional benefits it provides them.

Now, back to the marketing message. Does anyone have any compelling information on the rear of your cards? Here are some loose examples I am considering. I’m looking for a brainstorm here. The goal is to get your prospects started in a conversation about some LTC products.

• DOES MEDICARE COVER LONG-TERM CARE? Medicare and most health insurance plans including Medigap(Medicare Supplement Insurance) policies don’t pay for this type of care called “custodial care.” Most long-term care is non-skilled personal care assistance such as help with everyday activities like dressing, bathing or using the bathroom.

• Who will provide your care if you need daily help with activities like dressing, bathing and using the bathroom?

• Find out how to receive over $10,000 for skilled nursing care regardless of whether your health plan approves it, or not.

• Find out how Medicare defines the “medically necessary” and why this could very well be the most important item for you to understand as it relates to your health coverage.

That should get us started. Pros, cons and observations appreciated.

[somarco]

Someone, believe it is Mark Rosenthal, has a tip chart on the back of their card. The idea is your prospect/client keeps the card and refers to it on a regular basis.

While I agree your card should convey a compelling message, perhaps even have a call to action, I don't think any of those lines will prompt someone to keep your card and refer to it.

Here's My Card is a great resource for anyone designing (or redesigning) a card.

[midwestbroker]

I put the phone numbers to the local area agency on aging on the back of mine. They can use the number to find additional resourse, such as ride share, meals on wheels, home health care, etc.

[Vitamin C]

Midwest, I'm liking your idea.

I spoke with forked tounge..I was speaking of resources on the back and then of compelling statements to start conversations about what I want to talk about.

Maybe a mixture of both will work but I like the telephone numbers idea.

[midwestbroker]

With the senior market, I was worried that a tip chart or anything like that would be too small of print for the back of a card.

I had to put 5 numbers on the back of my card since I am on the border of 2 states (KS and MO) and there were some other local resourses that I put the direct number to rather then just the generic 1-800#.

Another agent I know is going to use pens and magnets. Pens stay in the purse and magnets stay on the fridge.

[Charpress]

I used to have "My Card" on the back of my card.

Assuming the person you give your card to has at least some sense of humor, you say "Here's my card" and hand it to them with the "My Card" on the top. They stare at it for a second or two until they turn it over and get the joke.

It makes giving someone your card more of a memorable experience.

I seriously doubt that anyone is going to hang on to your card because of a tip chart. State Farm has the calendar thing covered. You can't really do a calendar unless you go to the expense of doing plastic cards --which might be a good thing.

[Frank Stastny]

Originally Posted by midwestbroker

With the senior market, I was worried that a tip chart or anything like that would be too small of print for the back of a card.

I had to put 5 numbers on the back of my card since I am on the border of 2 states (KS and MO) and there were some other local resourses that I put the direct number to rather then just the generic 1-800#.

Another agent I know is going to use pens and magnets. Pens stay in the purse and magnets stay on the fridge.

I use magnets. I have been in a client's home several years after selling them a policy and my card is still on the refrigerator.

The other thing I do on every appointment is staple a my business card to a manila folder, leave it with them and tell them that it is their "insurance folder".

This not only works with clients but also with prospects. I have had prospects contact me a year or more since I had an appointment with them and when I arrive at their home they still have the manila folder with my card attached to it.

Had I just left a card they would have either lost it or thrown it away.

[Markingriffin]

I highly recommend using both sides of your card. If nothing else it doubles your chances of getting your message across.

If the question is should you use the back of your business card, I say the answer is yes.

Now the real question is what do you put on the back of your business card.

My goal is for the client to keep my business card and maybe use it later. On the front I put my contact info and some of my services on it that I think they will either need now or oneday.

I have a ton of different cards that I give out, each with it's own purpose. I go through a lot of business cards. I believe that business cards is a great tool that every agent should use.

Yes, on one type of my insurance cards, I do put the 15% tip on the back of the card. You don't have to use this, but try and put something on it, that will make them want to keep hold of your card. There are a couple of post on this subject that you can search for on this forum. I read where one agents was putting the meals on wheels number on the back of his card.

Let it be a trial and error process. These things are really cheap.

I use vistaprint.com and they are very cheap. I like them.

I have about 6 different types of cards. I have one card that I just give to everyone that I see. Like at the gas pump. I'm playing a numbers game. I have one type of card that I give to my client that I'm in front of on an appointment. I have a card for the client that I'm doing a living will on.

Don't make me go on and on about business cards.

Let me do say this, which is important. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, dont keep them in the box and never use them. Give them out daily. Each one is a free lottery ticket that may be a winner.

Also, I think it is important to have a website that you can put on your business cards, so they can check you out before they call you.

Make sure you give out at least 10 business cards everyday of you life. Even if you have to just hand it to them and say something simple to them and allow the business card to do the talking for you.

I have a hugh collection of business cards. I just don't throw them away. I use some of them.

[Vitamin C]

Frank,
I love the manila folder idea. It's cheap and strong!

To add to that, maybe for a couple of bucks each, I could print whatever I want on an actual file folder. People would probably see more value in a folder with pockets

I'm going to use the manila folder idea to start off. Thanks for sharing.

[somarco]

In the "old" days we used to deliver life policies in a policy wallet. Some were cheap plastic while others had a leather look to them and some were more like a binder. There was a place to put your card and their FIRST policy. (The idea was you would sell them more and eventually fill up the book).

[KConway]

This thread is very timely for me as I am about to order new cards soon. Piggybacking on one of Mark's ideas, I've thought about putting something like this on the back:

"Ask me about our FREE LIVING WILLS"

[Markingriffin]

Originally Posted by KConway

This thread is very timely for me as I am about to order new cards soon. Piggybacking on one of Mark's ideas, I've thought about putting something like this on the back:

"Ask me about our FREE LIVING WILLS"

How about a free credit report also? We do those also.

http://www.rosenthalfinancialservice...for%20free.pdf <--- Here is the forum. They just fill it out and mail it in. It's free. The law allows you a free copy of your credit report so often. Once or twice a year. This forum allows you to get the free report that is required by law. No Hidden fees.

I can also teach you how to do them online, but it's a lot more work.

I offer a million free services for my clients. Here is just a few of them.

[COLOR=#0000ff]PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE[/COLOR] (Free Prescriptions Programs for those who qualify through pparx.org)
[COLOR=#0000ff]Peachcare for Kids in Georiga[/COLOR] (Affordable Health Insurance to Georiga Uninsured Children. FREE OR LOW COST HEALTH INSURANCE)
[COLOR=#0000ff]Make Your Own Legal Will Online[/COLOR] (Free)

[KConway]

Instructing them to "Ask" about a "FREE" product is a good call to action step to generate a call and schedule an appointment.

[Charpress]

Taking the manila folder idea a step further, I read somewhere about a producer who keeps expanding folders handy with his contact information either printed on it, or a business card attached, (I forget which).

When he delivers a policy, or when he sees a client come in with a stack of paperwork, he gives them one of these expanding pocket folders with pockets for "insurance" "legal" "taxes" or whatever. Usually five pockets is ideal.

He said that people he visits with years later will proudly trot out their folders, now stuffed with documents -but at least organized. This is a reminder of who you are that lasts for years and is usually greatly appreciated. You can also get them in plastic which runs a bit more in cost. Usually you can go from under $2 to around $5.

I use a much more expensive leather-like zipper portfolio that is imprinted. I get these from Branders.com which I have found over the years to be the most reliable source for these sorts of things, especially if you want the products imprinted. These only go to folks who have already made money for me. The less expensive ones are for prospects.

[JRoot]

Originally Posted by Markingriffin

Yes, on one type of my insurance cards, I do put the 15% tip on the back of the card.

This may come from me working my way through college in the restaurant industry, but does anyone else tip 20% all the time? Unless the service is poor of course. In my world, 20% is the new 15%.

[Charpress]

Personally, I have never gotten the concept of tipping calculators or formulas.

How much brain power does it take to figure out 15-20% of a bill?

Don't we all kind of round it up a dollar anyway?

Does anyone tip $6.12 because that was exactly 15 or 20% of the bill? Probably some people do.

And how about the etiquette of tipping on the sales tax (which is 9% here) and what about the tipping on the liquor portion of the tab? I know people that deduct the sales tax before they calculate the tip. Remember the accountant friend in the movie The Four Seasons?

I routinely tip between 15-20% rounded up a dollar. 20% of a $43 dollar bill is $4.30 twice, or $8.60 --a $9 tip. 15% would be $4.30 plus half of $4.30 or a $7 tip rounded up. This isn't rocket science and unless you are also converting to pesos or something, I don't see the value of a tipping chart.

Maybe this is just one of those things I'll never get, like pro wrestling.

[somarco]

Does anyone tip $6.12 because that was exactly 15 or 20% of the bill?

I take it you have not met my wife.

She uses the calculator function on her cell phone to figure it to the penny. Got pissed at me the other night for leaving a $100 tip on a $400 meal ticket.

[Charpress]

Hah, all wives are pretty much alike. Just ask anyone in the food service business how they like the tennis club ladies coming in for lunch and then wanting the bill split up 8 ways for 8 ladies.

I've seen them taking up a table for two hours, an hour of which was sorting out the bills and figuring (to the penny) how much to tip.

[retread]

Originally Posted by Charpress

Taking the manila folder idea a step further, I read somewhere about a producer who keeps expanding folders handy with his contact information either printed on it, or a business card attached, (I forget which).

When he delivers a policy, or when he sees a client come in with a stack of paperwork, he gives them one of these expanding pocket folders with pockets for "insurance" "legal" "taxes" or whatever. Usually five pockets is ideal.

He said that people he visits with years later will proudly trot out their folders, now stuffed with documents -but at least organized. This is a reminder of who you are that lasts for years and is usually greatly appreciated. You can also get them in plastic which runs a bit more in cost. Usually you can go from under $2 to around $5.

I use a much more expensive leather-like zipper portfolio that is imprinted. I get these from Branders.com which I have found over the years to be the most reliable source for these sorts of things, especially if you want the products imprinted. These only go to folks who have already made money for me. The less expensive ones are for prospects.

I use the expanding file with my business card stapled to it. Office Depot or Office Max carries them (I can't remember who at the moment)... I get the type that are open at the top, and use a felt tip pen to write "Medicare Policy", "Insurance Bills", and "Paid Insurance Claims" on the top of each section. Many clients love 'em.... especially those who have papers strewn all over the place (not hard to notice when making kitchen table presentation). You would be surprised to find how many people have no clue about organization.... how they ever file income taxes is beyond me.

[Ron Van D]

[IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/COMPAQ%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-10.jpg[/IMG]My wife sells promotional products and she has laminated cards (which last a lot longer) with calendars, tip charts, whatever, on them. My favorite, now that you got me thinking, is either the Blackjack tip chart or the poker hand chart. These would be great with the tagline "If you're going to gamble with something, make it cards, not your insurance.

Send me a PM for more details ( I can probably get you a "Forum" discount!