The Insurance Soup Blog

Sales Tips for Agents Who Hate to Sell

Written by Taylor Dobbie | Oct 5, 2021 6:59:00 PM

 

People would tell you to get out of the sales industry if you don't like selling. An insurance agent's primary responsibility is finding customers who need insurance and converting them into customers. Many agents are paid on commission, which is based on the volume of sales. In case you feel uncomfortable pitching your product, don't worry-there are plenty of alternatives that are more effective, less pushy, and less cynical than the glad-handing stereotype.

LET THEM DO THE TALKING

Think of sales as an opportunity to raise your customer's awareness of your product, not a chance to sell someone something. Focus more on listening to your prospects, not selling them something. Try asking more questions rather than talking most of the time. Identify what your prospects need, and provide them with your expert advice. There would be times when you should honestly tell your prospect to buy what you sell. But there are times when you should tell your prospect honestly that he or she can get a better deal somewhere else. You may end up selling to some prospects simply because they're impressed by your honesty.

LEAN INTO YOUR MARKETING

Direct marketing, SEO, email marketing, direct mail, sponsorships in your community, and many more ways exist for you to indirectly market your business. People are brought in and warmed up for your sales pitch through these efforts, facilitating the sales process. Sometimes they can convert a buyer by themselves - but the person who is buying insurance will want to speak with an expert before deciding to go through with it. Either way, your job will be to provide any and all information you can so that the prospect is 100% sold on you and your product.

BELIEVE IN WHAT YOU'RE SELLING

Having a sense of dishonesty about sales contributes to some people's dislike of it. It won't feel disingenuous if you're promoting something that you believe in. When playing a sales role, those who feel uncomfortable may have to be more selective about the products and companies they choose. Your prospect will believe you when you demonstrate the benefits of your product over the competition if you do that. By stating the truth, you don't need to sell the product.

​If you've tried everything and you still can't get the feel for sales, the best advice we can give is to choose a product and company you honestly believe in. By offering those products or the serviceS of that company, you won't feel as if you're being duplicitous in any way. Instead you'll feel as if you're helping someone by giving them information about a product you know they can trust and you can feel good about selling to them.

We hope these quick sales tips help even the most nervous of sellers. By practicing your sales pitches and focusing on doing the best you can for your customers, we're sure you'll find your stride in no time!