I am with an Annuity FMO - what do agents want?

klcannuity · 10-20-2007, 05:01 PM

I work for an FMO that markets fixed annuites. I am visitng this forum to find out what agents want from their FMO. I'd like to talk about what you like, don't like and what you expect in aqn effort to make sure that my company is doing what is needed and expected for agents who write fixed annuities. I'll tell you things from my point of view, too.

senior-advisor-indiana · 10-20-2007, 05:10 PM

Are any of your agents using the shield? Are they mostly cross selling or are do they go look for brand new prospects?

klcannuity · 10-20-2007, 05:29 PM

I never heard of The Shield. I will try to check it out and get back to you.

senior-advisor-indiana · 10-20-2007, 05:47 PM

Well, I kow what FMO's you are not with then. MY guess is going to be that you are with Life Sales or some other Allianz FMO. Am I warm?

klcannuity · 10-21-2007, 08:34 AM

I have been at my job for quite a while -- I rarely take on new agents at this point -- I assign them to the junior markters. My biggest producers tell me that they have never bought a lead or never used a packaged program. They do business the old fashioned way: they ask for (and get) referrals. Yes, I am asked by some agents about providing leads and programs. My successful agents tell me that they believe that the only people making money from those programs are the lead companies or the people selling the programs. Tell me if you have used any of these services with success.

Mr. Bill · 10-21-2007, 10:49 AM

We have search features on this board for that.

klcannuity · 10-21-2007, 11:15 AM

Thanks, Mr. Bill -- I will look around on this site and some others. I had this thought that agents might appreciate the opportunity to give me some anonymous input, ideas or suggestions -- and perhaps even inquire about things from my point of view.

al3 · 10-21-2007, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by klcannuity

Thanks, Mr. Bill -- I will look around on this site and some others. I had this thought that agents might appreciate the opportunity to give me some anonymous input, ideas or suggestions -- and perhaps even inquire about things from my point of view.

I don't think people are going to open, honest, and above-board with you in public unless you are the same with them.

You can usually find out about us as many of us post a link to our agency.

But we don't know if you are:

1. A state DOI drone
2. The SEC or Fed. R.B or some other control agency
3. An FMO, GA, or IMO we might be registered with
4. A carrier we might be direct with
5. The mainstream media (WJS, NYT, TW, etc.)
6. Some whacko blogger
7. Rush Limbaugh's EIB or some Air America prototype
8. A law firm looking for someone to sue
9. The Congress, CIA, FBI or some investigative agency
10. The military looking for Vietnam era draft dodgers
11. STI masquerading as an FMO rep
12. A recruiter looking for phone numbers to dial
13. A religious fanatic looking for people to convert
14. A political campaign fund raiser looking for HNW contacts
15. Some guy in a trailer park with no life

If you tell us who you are, who you represent, and why you want the information you seek, I'm sure many of us will be forthcoming with that information. But until then the following sums it up quite well.

Al

Mr. Bill · 10-21-2007, 12:10 PM

Well put.

Eliott Spitzer hasn't had much to do these days either, so it wouldn't surprise me if he was cruising the board as well!

Actually, the one person you should get to know on this board is Pre-Paid Legal - he gives a ton of great information!

klcannuity · 10-21-2007, 12:16 PM

I understand your point of view --- but suppose I say that I am with XYZ marketing and to dash over to my website, look around and --- as we hope, you like something that you see and request the details -- we send you info --- then, I am here soliciting agents. I was kind of hoping that you all would say things like: I used this or that FMO and they are great or that they have idiots working there --- or I spent a bunch of money on some program and wote 10 annuities -- or none. Or if my FMO provided this or that, I could write more business. I really do not want your personal info. I guess I could have registered here saying that I was just an agent like you --- but I didn't.

klcannuity · 10-21-2007, 12:24 PM

Perhaps New York will get some decent annuties approved there someday.

I just market fixed annuities -- we sometimes get calls from agents who seem pretty intelligent and capable ---they have been in this business for 5 or 10 years and they are asking for leads or a magic program --- so I thought I might see if there really is anything like that out there --- and if there is, I'd like to check it out and see if I can help these guys out. My company won't endorse anything like that but at least I could let these agents know that I looked around and checked with agents that don't even do business with me they all are rip offs or this one or that one might be worth a try. Right now, all that I can tell them is that I don't know of any lead company or program that agents have used with sucess.

al3 · 10-21-2007, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by klcannuity

we sometimes get calls from agents who seem pretty intelligent and capable ...and they are asking for leads or a magic program

Right now, all that I can tell them is that I don't know of any lead company or program that agents have used with success.

To use a courtroom expression... "Asked and answered."

We've discussed lead programs on this board EXTENSIVELY. Do your research and I think you will find that the answer you already have is the one you would get.

I personally would not give you any information (assuming I had any of value) so long as you remain cloaked. There is no reason you can't un-cloak. No one is going to accuse you of recruiting.... if you don't actively recruit. What people do on their own is their own business. If you say I'm Joe from XYZ and we do this and that and I'd like to know what you guys think of so and so, you will get what you want. But without total transparency here, you're just a guy on the internet with a keyboard and an imagination.

Good luck with all that.

Al
InsuranceSolutions123 Agency

klcannuity · 10-21-2007, 01:12 PM

I understand and I will consider your approach. Thanks.

senior-advisor-indiana · 10-21-2007, 08:45 PM

I have narrowed it down. I know who you are! YOu are with the BIGGEST FMO in the US. Yes I know who it is. That has to be it. What other annuity FMO doesn't need anymore agents. Life Sales is a big one. I know you are not with them though because they are recruiting. BUt they do have "TONS" of agents and they still are looking for more. I thought your FMO was too. DO you guys tell agents to call back in 6 months to see if any agents have left or do you call them when there is an available position?

GreenSky · 10-21-2007, 08:48 PM

The answer to your question is disclosure and honesty. You have given us neither.

Rick