Confessions of a Life Insurance Agent

Sometimes I have a thin skin. There is a conversation going on in my head saying “doesn’t this person know I’m doing my best for them? Why are they treating me just like any other salesman on the phone?”

If you sell something, even your advice, this may have a familiar ring.

Think about what you do for a living and who your clients are. In most cases, the difference between you and your clients is that you live and breathe your business, while your clients only care that you do your job well. In my business, this translates to offering the best price for the best value, and perhaps steering the prospect to an opportunity they did not know existed.

I’m a life insurance salesman.

My 30 second “elevator pitch” could be something like “I help people protect their loved ones from financial disaster” or a similar comment meant to elicit a question from that person trapped in the elevator with me. That’s not who I am.

I get up in the morning proud to do what I do. There is nothing more gratifying than helping people no matter what business you’re in. But it’s particularly rewarding to make others happy in ways that may not be obvious at first.

Yes, we all die of something, and most people say they buy coverage “in case they get hit by a truck” or some such silliness.

Here’s a reality check: Most people die of heart disease and they don’t get it by stepping off the curb. What’s more, life for most of us is not a cabaret. Things happen. Make sure you do what is necessary in terms of how you see yourself and your responsibilities.

Back to my thin skin. Anyone can run a quote and show you a list of carriers. Developing a relationship, helping a prospect think about potential situations differently, and giving something of myself in the process, provides both my client AND me a great working experience.

Then, be happy, stay happy. Have a good life.