Insurance Agent Forum

[Blessed]

Hi Everyone,
I would like to know which Predictive Dialers and Voice Broadcast systems are the best, and cost effective. I am planning to do a voice broadcast to a business segment that I would like to sell insurance to. Also, I am planning to use a Predictive Dialer to reach a certain demographic for health insurance.

I am currently looking at MOJO, CallFire, and iBUZZPRO. Each one has pros and cons. If there are other good ones that I am not aware of, please let me know. I would really appreciate your suggestions, input, and opinions. Thanks in advance.

[MedicarePlanSolutions]

Mojo is awesome and callfire is a neat system, but it's expensive and ibuzzpro seems sketchy.

I personally run my own phone server that can handle voice broadcasting and predictive dialing. If it's for your personal use then you're more than likely better off just calling with Mojo and using callfire to get your feet wet. If you dig the systems then you could get your own setup and it ends up being cheaper, but I invested quite a bit in getting my dialer setup the way it is and it was more than a little leg work. Odds are if you're doing enough dialing with callfire to the point where it's becoming too expensive then you'd be at the point where it'd be worth getting your own hardware.

[glenbeck]

Cost is the issue with dialers, not to mention labor. I currently have my own call center with 18 girls (and guys) calling to set appts mostly for final expense also for med supp and the labor cost is enormous (oops i said not to mention labor cost). It'll cost you a couple hundred a month minimum, depending on minutes used. I have a slight advantage and cost break for using a higher # of "seats".

[djs]

Voice broadcast is different from your dialer. I'm not a big fan of voice broadcasting, so I'll leave that to others.

I use Vanilla Soft for my dialer. It is a power dialer, not a predictive dialer. I use it because it has a much better crm system then the others you mention. Also, I'm thick-headed and have never figured out how to deal with 3 calls at once, which happens every time I try dialers that dial multiple calls at once.

I also own a working vicidial predictive dialer. Its the least expensive way to go, but, requires the most work to keep up with. It has virtually no crm capabilities, so, for me, it is harder to deal with.

I don't do a lot of calling of random lists. I try to use very targeted lists and try to develop a relationship, not just generate a sale. For instance, as a P&C agent, I call a lot of realtors, looking for referrals. I'm not worried about an overwhelming volume, but I need to track the outcome of the call, the response, and the next step.

The answer to your question lies in how YOU want to use the system.

Dan

[Becky]

CallFire's Predictive dialer (Cloud Call Center) is cost effective and easy to use. Here is a link to the product page. go to www dot callfire dot com to see the products

[johndale]

Originally Posted by glenbeck

Cost is the issue with dialers, not to mention labor. I currently have my own call center with 18 girls (and guys) calling to set appts mostly for final expense also for med supp and the labor cost is enormous (oops i said not to mention labor cost). It'll cost you a couple hundred a month minimum, depending on minutes used. I have a slight advantage and cost break for using a higher # of "seats".

You got it right. cost has always been the issue with dialers. Labor is just another half story. Still thinking of something better.

[MedicarePlanSolutions]

Originally Posted by Becky

CallFire's Predictive dialer (Cloud Call Center) is cost effective and easy to use. Here is a link to the product page. go to www dot callfire dot com to see the products

First post self promoting, not suspicious at all!

[rugerdooger]

Originally Posted by djs

Voice broadcast is different from your dialer. I'm not a big fan of voice broadcasting, so I'll leave that to others.

I use Vanilla Soft for my dialer. It is a power dialer, not a predictive dialer. I use it because it has a much better crm system then the others you mention. Also, I'm thick-headed and have never figured out how to deal with 3 calls at once, which happens every time I try dialers that dial multiple calls at once.

I also own a working vicidial predictive dialer. Its the least expensive way to go, but, requires the most work to keep up with. It has virtually no crm capabilities, so, for me, it is harder to deal with.

I don't do a lot of calling of random lists. I try to use very targeted lists and try to develop a relationship, not just generate a sale. For instance, as a P&C agent, I call a lot of realtors, looking for referrals. I'm not worried about an overwhelming volume, but I need to track the outcome of the call, the response, and the next step.

The answer to your question lies in how YOU want to use the system.

Dan

How much does the Vanilla Soft cost? I checked out the website and it looks very interesting. You say the CRM is better then the others mentioned. I assume you are referencing Mojo. How do you consider it better? Thanks.

[djs]

I highly suggest doing a demo of both mojo and vanilla soft. It really doesn't matter what I think, it's what works for you. If I was wanting to do a high volume of calls, mojo would work better for me. I'm more interested in keeping track of everyone I talk to, tracking emails I send them, etc, which is why I like vanillasoft.

Also, this is an investment in your company. If it doesn't pay for itself, whatever the cost, its not worth having. If it does make you money, then it is worth having.

Dan

[GreenSky]

The cost for Mojo is $150 per month. There are a couple of associations you may join that will receive the cost to $95.

I think it's worth the $15-20 you pay to be an association member to save $55 on Mojo.

Rick

[on7of9]

Originally Posted by djs

Voice broadcast is different from your dialer. I'm not a big fan of voice broadcasting, so I'll leave that to others.

I use Vanilla Soft for my dialer. It is a power dialer, not a predictive dialer. I use it because it has a much better crm system then the others you mention. Also, I'm thick-headed and have never figured out how to deal with 3 calls at once, which happens every time I try dialers that dial multiple calls at once.

I also own a working vicidial predictive dialer. Its the least expensive way to go, but, requires the most work to keep up with. It has virtually no crm capabilities, so, for me, it is harder to deal with.

I don't do a lot of calling of random lists. I try to use very targeted lists and try to develop a relationship, not just generate a sale. For instance, as a P&C agent, I call a lot of realtors, looking for referrals. I'm not worried about an overwhelming volume, but I need to track the outcome of the call, the response, and the next step.

The answer to your question lies in how YOU want to use the system.

Dan

dan, which vicidial predictive dialer are you using? i am looking for about 10 to 12 seats.
Thanks in advance

[wilkin]

I looked into Vanillasoft and was quoted $130 for one person. Cost per person is less as you add more.

What I didn't like about Vanillasoft is that if you reach an answering machine or voice mail you cannot click to play a recorded message and quickly go on to your next call.

[Becky]

CallFire does have the option to leave a pre-recorded message. And there are no costs other than per minute.
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Originally Posted by MedicarePlanSolutions

First post self promoting, not suspicious at all!

You're right, I do work at CallFire. However, the reason I'm replying to this thread is because I saw a tweet asking for help finding a service, and it is one that we offer (both that were asked for actually) and have the features requested from the original poster.

[djs]

Originally Posted by on7of9

dan, which vicidial predictive dialer are you using? i am looking for about 10 to 12 seats.
Thanks in advance

I'm not sure I understand the question. Go to vicidial.org and download the software, install it on a spare pc, you are good to go (almost, some configuration involved). For a simpler solution, go to vicidialnow.org and download a full image.

1 seat or hundreds of seats is only an issue depending on your hardware. The software cost is the same, $0.00. You'll spend more on hardware since you'll need phones (can easily use free softphones), computers, headsets, etc. 10-12 is mostly a bandwidth issue.

Realistically, unless you are pretty savvy (i.e., understand databases, how to code, etc), you are probably looking at around $800 to get someone to remotely configure your vicidial server to make it work correctly. No monthly bills outside of the power bill and the phone lines.

Vicidial sounds good on the surface, but the configuration is a nightmare. Once working, it's no big deal. Most of the dialers you 'rent' on the web are vicidial dialers, though perhaps rebranded.

Dan

[on7of9]

Originally Posted by djs

I'm not sure I understand the question. Go to vicidial.org and download the software, install it on a spare pc, you are good to go (almost, some configuration involved). For a simpler solution, go to vicidialnow.org and download a full image.

1 seat or hundreds of seats is only an issue depending on your hardware. The software cost is the same, $0.00. You'll spend more on hardware since you'll need phones (can easily use free softphones), computers, headsets, etc. 10-12 is mostly a bandwidth issue.

Realistically, unless you are pretty savvy (i.e., understand databases, how to code, etc), you are probably looking at around $800 to get someone to remotely configure your vicidial server to make it work correctly. No monthly bills outside of the power bill and the phone lines.

Vicidial sounds good on the surface, but the configuration is a nightmare. Once working, it's no big deal. Most of the dialers you 'rent' on the web are vicidial dialers, though perhaps rebranded.

Dan

thanks for the reply,
Sorry for the confusion, i have made a vicidial box, but it was just a pbx-maybe i missed something. i thought you had made one of the vicidial power or predictive dialers. i have three dialogic cards (D/4PCI-U) gathering dust, looking to put them to use in the next few months.
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Originally Posted by wilkin

I looked into Vanillasoft and was quoted $130 for one person. Cost per person is less as you add more.

What I didn't like about Vanillasoft is that if you reach an answering machine or voice mail you cannot click to play a recorded message and quickly go on to your next call.

yes, that would be a very limiting factor. haven't gone all the way through it yet.

-------
Oops, i see in the description of vicidial.org, there is suppose to be a predictive/broacast feature. the vicidialnow demo shows only a pbx. guess i know what i will be doing this weekend.

[MedicarePlanSolutions]

Originally Posted by on7of9

thanks for the reply,
Sorry for the confusion, i have made a vicidial box, but it was just a pbx-maybe i missed something. i thought you had made one of the vicidial power or predictive dialers. i have three dialogic cards (D/4PCI-U) gathering dust, looking to put them to use in the next few months.

The dialogic cards aren't usually necessary anymore. I'm running a sexier version of vicidial and for up to 4 or 5 agents it doesn't need any extra hardware, because I have up to 20 at a time on it I added a sangoma timing card (usb) which ran me a whopping $80 with shipping. I paid the techs $125/hr for a few hours of support and it's been running stable for a while now with 0 problems. That all being said, you should be fairly tech savvy to run it, it's anything but a simple process.

[on7of9]

Originally Posted by MedicarePlanSolutions

The dialogic cards aren't usually necessary anymore. I'm running a sexier version of vicidial and for up to 4 or 5 agents it doesn't need any extra hardware, because I have up to 20 at a time on it I added a sangoma timing card (usb) which ran me a whopping $80 with shipping. I paid the techs $125 for a few hours of support and it's been running stable for a while now with 0 problems. That all being said, you should be fairly tech savvy to run it, it's anything but a simple process.

thanks for the input, kind sir! sangoma timing cards, hmm.... i am getting more from this forum than i get from the 'new' envox and the 'new' dialogic forums combined!

[MedicarePlanSolutions]

Originally Posted by on7of9

thanks for the input, kind sir! sangoma timing cards, hmm.... i am getting more from this forum than i get from the 'new' envox and the 'new' dialogic forums combined!

If you're looking to get something setup you should send me you're number, I can probably save you a bunch of time and headache.

[rphillips]

I'm a single user, dialing 2 hours per day three days per week. I've opted to start out with CallFire. Began my first session today and disconnected after 10 calls. The reason?

No interface to update information, i.e. change the name of the contact person, add a PO mailing address et al.

Did I overlook this somehow or is this feature available in version other than the Lite that I was using.

Does anyone have any others to recommend for a single, light user that would have better CRM features?

[MedicarePlanSolutions]

Originally Posted by rphillips

I'm a single user, dialing 2 hours per day three days per week. I've opted to start out with CallFire. Began my first session today and disconnected after 10 calls. The reason?

No interface to update information, i.e. change the name of the contact person, add a PO mailing address et al.

Did I overlook this somehow or is this feature available in version other than the Lite that I was using.

Does anyone have any others to recommend for a single, light user that would have better CRM features?

Mojo is the way to go!