FYI Express

2012-01-09T13:19:00.001-08:00

Would you buy insurance from Facebook?
http://ping.fm/A4YWd

2011-12-27T05:18:00.001-08:00

Folks use the Internet to search for information & solutions to their problem. They do not search for your agency. If they knew your agency existed, they would not be searching. They would already be customers. Does your agency show up on page #1 on Google, Yahoo & Bing?

2011-11-22T08:59:00.001-08:00

GA DOI sets up sting showing roofers creating storm damage
Georgia Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens said he wanted to send a message and asked to use Channel 2 cameras to help. State agents are working hard to enforce a new law passed following a Channel 2 Action News investigation into unscrupulous roofers.
http://ping.fm/TSpup

2011-11-12T05:05:00.001-08:00

Really looking forward to the Internet Marketing & Social Media seminars in Florida next week.
Info at http://ping.fm/z70qy

2011-11-11T04:10:00.001-08:00

Agents: Guess the Real E&O Claim
By Nancy Blair Benson
The agent’s E&O is the new “deep pocket” for losses, with third parties going after agents. Can you guess which examples…Read more

http://ping.fm/yCr6D

2011-11-05T07:56:00.001-07:00

I'm teaching "How to be on Page #1 in Google Search for Insurance Agencies" sponsored by AccuAuto in Alabama & Florida in November. All Insurance Professionals are welcome to attend with their compliments. Info & registration at http://ping.fm/6YVxw

2011-09-20T09:47:00.001-07:00

If Dr. Seuss had written an episode of Star Trek
http://ping.fm/Gj6CS
I'll show everyone how to create their own cartoon videos at the AccuAgency 2011 seminars.

2011-09-15T09:05:00.001-07:00

What is the value of your advice?
Excellent article for all insurance agents & CSRs!
http://ping.fm/XBBaF

2011-09-07T14:16:00.001-07:00

Georgia agents & CSRs can earn up to 6 hours FREe CE at Holiday Inn in Dalton, GA on September 28th compliments of AccuAuto
http://ping.fm/rox0g

2011-07-14T03:11:00.001-07:00

Why there is no substitute for blogging
Facebook, Twitter and other social media networks might be all the rage, but Paula Berg writes that nothing can substitute for blogging. Among the advantages she lists: better lead generation, clearer brand identity and greater control over your own story.
http://ping.fm/B6VAX

2011-07-11T10:54:00.001-07:00

I'm really looking forward to the AccuAuto Users Conference in Greenville, SC on Wednesday, July 13th.

I plan to share Internet Marketing Tips 'n Tools that guarantee to increase an agency's online visibility plus how to create a "Virtual Insurance Agency".

Info at http://ping.fm/Qw4nL

2011-05-23T02:50:00.001-07:00

AccuAgency 2011 will be held in Atlanta on May 25th at Marriott Century Center.
Earn up to 6 hours CE.
Infor at http://ping.fm/6h61b

2011-05-18T11:07:00.001-07:00

Allstate Targets Online Insurance Sales; Buys Esurance, Answer Financial
In a bid to capture more business from customers who shop online, giant Allstate Corp. has agreed to pay $1 billion to buy two popular ...
http://ping.fm/UsdDp

2011-05-17T14:30:00.001-07:00

Do Bing’s New Facebook Features Make it a Better Search Engine Than Google?
http://ping.fm/nvuPz
Bing has been steadily increasing its integration with Facebook, and while that's likely far from over, they've launched some significant new features. We've

App Attack | PropertyCasualty360

2011-05-02T12:51:00.000-07:00

App Attack | PropertyCasualty360

2011-04-28T02:46:00.001-07:00

Become a "Social Media Master" at AIANC's Insurance Expo 2011 on May 20 - 21 in Greensboro, NC. Info at http://ping.fm/cCDzm

2011-04-13T13:43:00.001-07:00

The New Bing Business Portal And What It Means To Your Local Business -
Today Bing launched the Bing Business Portal, replacing the Bing Local Listing Center. And WOW, what a difference! The new Bing Business Portal comes with a ton of new capabilities that weren’t present in the previous one. I went through and claimed a few businesses and found the phone verification process to be very smooth [...]
Read More...

2011-03-15T13:12:00.001-07:00

AccuAuto & Eddie K. Emmett have teamed up to bring an "AccuAgents Conference" to Savannah, GA.
Free to agents, earn up to 6 hours CE, & lunch with Company Reps. Details to follow

2010-12-10T02:20:00.001-08:00

My brother Danny has demonstrated to me a great way to share your screen with another computer at a remote location.
Type join.me in your browser's address line and test it with someone. I love it!

2010-12-07T03:12:00.001-08:00

After you make your list & check it twice ... see who's got the best deal in your neighborhood at www.milo.com

Merry Christmas to all

2010-11-24T05:07:00.001-08:00

Want to monitor your employees' hours?
Here's a free time clock that you can set up on your computer ... http://www.ckzinc.com

2010-10-28T06:08:00.001-07:00

Here's a tool to help improve your website:
http://ping.fm/WI72n

2010-10-23T06:25:00.001-07:00

I love South GA Agents!

2010-09-23T02:19:00.001-07:00

Want to make your agency more visible to online searches?
Try http://ping.fm/ZEVSE

2010-09-02T09:43:00.001-07:00

Excellent article on setting up a web presence for $10.
Now there's no reason every insurance agency shouldn't have a web presence.
http://ping.fm/8ztn7

2010-07-29T16:35:00.001-07:00

The August 2010 edition of FYI Express is now available to download at www.FYIGeorgiaViews.com and is 40 pages!
It's up-to-date info on Insurance Expo 2010 which will start 2 weeks from today.

2010-07-22T03:49:00.001-07:00

Can you believe it?
Insurance Expo 2010 will be here in only 3 weeks from today!
Up-to-date info at http://ping.fm/Sqgmr

2010-07-12T08:53:00.001-07:00

Information about the Candidates for GA Insurance Commissioner is available at http://ping.fm/SUawJ
It lists their websites and Cash On Hand going into the July 20 Primary.

2010-05-11T04:03:00.001-07:00

Harold Logsdon has withdrawn for the Georgia Insurance Commissioner race after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

More info at http://ping.fm/7ogmS

2010-05-06T02:54:00.001-07:00

The Invisible Agency
Check out these 3 Simple Steps to Increase Visibility
http://ping.fm/dR8r3

2010-04-23T14:19:00.001-07:00

Georgia Insurance Agents Alliance (http://ping.fm/ERFqA) will soon host "Chat 'n Chews" in the Atlanta area.

The Cost of a Quote / Sale?

2010-04-08T03:08:00.001-07:00

What does it cost in your agency to give a quote?
I'm not talking about overhead & processing, I'm talking about the # of quotes from a single source of advertising.
For example, if your Yellow Page ad costs $500 per month and you get 20 quotes from that ad, the pure cost of the quote is $25.00 ($500 divided by 20)
I'm kicking around the idea of paying my current customers $10.00 for each policy sold through their referring my agency to their friends.
It's against the law to pay a policyholder to buy a policy (rebating) but I see no law against paying someone to market on my behalf.
What are your thoughts?

The Look of Love

2010-02-08T12:10:00.000-08:00

Facebook's list of common advertiser mistakes

2010-02-03T13:52:00.000-08:00

Facebook has a great article on advertising mistakes.
Check it out at http://www.facebook.com/ads/mistakes.php

Want some free advertising?

2010-01-26T03:16:00.000-08:00

Create a YouTube video and post it on your website.

Check out this great video from Trevco Insurance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMhObzLA_yM

You'll learn how to do it at the Insurance Agent Internet Marketing Boot Camp in Franklin, TN on February 8 -9.

Digital Office Billboard

2010-01-20T04:44:00.000-08:00

I use pictures of my grandchildren as a slideshow for my computer when it is not being used

It’s quite easy to create if you know how to do it

Looking at it this morning gave me a great idea for an inexpensive (read: zero cost) in-office promotion for your independent agents.

It seems most agencies have unused computers sitting on unused desks. Why not put them to work?

If your agents had them available, they could install pictures of products and / or services on the unused computer, set up a slideshow, turn the monitor toward the sitting area and let it run non-stop.

If they want to get a little fancy, the agents can copy the pictures to a memory card or thumb drive and use a digital photo frame that faces the customers while they are being serviced.

I thought about creating the pictures myself but thought I would invite the collective expertise of our industry.

I am assembling pictures of different product lines for agents to download along with instructions on how to set up My Pictures Slideshow.

Feel free to send to me in .jpg any of the promo pictures you would like to be available.

It’s OK to include your company logo but please remember this is all about the agency’s success, not promoting your company.

I suggest you superimpose wording such as “Did You Know We Sell …” or “Ask Us About …” somewhere on the picture.

I welcome your ideas on how we can help our customers be more successful.

Maximizing Your Social Networking

2010-01-18T03:33:00.000-08:00

Maximizing Your Social Networking: Free Online Webinar (60 minutes)

What you need to know about marketing your business and connecting to your customers through the social networks

Take your current social networking to a new level
Leverage what you're already doing on-line
Create a fan base to further promote your business
Tips on what works and what doesn't, when it comes to Twitter, Blogs, FaceBook, etc.

www.OfficeDepot.com/webcafe

Internet Marketing Booklets

2010-01-17T04:50:00.000-08:00

I’m so looking forward to the Insurance Agency Internet Boot Camp that will be held in Franklin, TN on February 8 -9.

I have gathered several PDF booklets on Internet Marketing and will burn a CD copy for all attendees at the Agency Boot Camp.

11 Steps to create a successful Web Site
Website Traffic Secrets
The Ultimate Web Site Builder's Toolkit
Social Media for Small Business
The Keyword Research Bible

In the meantime, if you are a member of Auto Insurance Agents of NC or Georgia Insurance Agents Alliance or a subscriber to Agents First!, feel free to download them in the Exclusive Section of “Tips ‘n Tools”.

http://www.AutoInsuranceAgentsNC.com
http://www.Georgia-Agents.com
http://www.AgentsFirst.org

Level the Playing Field in 2010

2010-01-16T05:58:00.000-08:00

2010 will be the year that Independent Insurance Agents level the Insurance Marketing playing field.

Look for many of our carriers to roll out "Consumer Portals" which allow visitors to "quote, buy & print" when visiting the Independent Agent's website.

A select group of Georgia's Auto Insurance Agents already have the ability to do so with at least two of the newest auto insurance companies to enter Georgia.

Want an Auto Insurance Quote in 5 seconds or less?
Want to "buy & print" in less than 5 minutes?

Check out the ease of use in the demo website at http://agentdemo.santafeinsurance.net/.

Use any Georgia Zip Code you wish. Use mine ... 30114 ... if you don't have quick access to Georgia Zip Codes.

Feel free to "buy" the policy since it is demo purposes only. I used 123456789 when it asked for Driver's License & Credit Card info.

I welcome your thoughts and will publish them in an upcoming FYI Express.

If you wish to remain anonymous in print, just say so.

I have yet to betray a confidence.

Eddie K. Emmett
FYI Express
http://www.fyigeorgiaviews.com/