2010 ACT Webinar Series ACT's Webinar "Introduction to the Social Web - A New Way to Connect"
View the recorded version of this highly successful webinar which outlines how agents can use the Social Web to build new relationships, explains the basics of the tools and provides agent examples as to how they are leveraging the tools in their agencies. See also the PowerPoint which includes additional information about social networking and some great links to explore for additional information and agency examples.
Click here to view webinar.
Click here for the PowerPoint (Best to "save" document to desktop to view it.) ACT's Webinar "Creating a Social Web Strategy & Policy for Your Agency" (Recorded)
Learn the issues two agents and a carrier executive tackled in formulating the appropriate social media policies for their organizations. Participating are Cindy Adams (Holmes Murphy), Angelyn Treutel (Treutel Insurance Agency), Katie Herbst (Westfield Insurance), Rick Morgan (ACT Social Web WG Chair & Consultant) and Jeff Yates (ACT Executive Director). (Note the visual portion of the Webinar comes on at about one and a half minutes into the recording.)
Click here to view webinar recording.
Click here to view PDF of webinar slides. ACT's Webinar "Agency E&O Considerations when Social Networking"
This webinar explores the major agency E&O risks involved with social networking and provides specific guidance on how agencies can manage those risks. Presenters were Sabrena Sally (Westport Insurance/Swiss Re), Colleen Murphy (Goldberg Segalla), David Hulcher (IIABA) and Rick Morgan (ACT Social Web Work Group Chair).
Click here for the PowerPoint (Best to "save" document to desktop to view it.)
Click here for Webinar recording. (We apologize for some audio drop-outs that occur about 35 minutes into the recording.)
Successful Agency Techniques to Build, Integrate and Manage your Blog, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Click for the recorded webinar featuring Ryan Hanley, Chris Jordan & Rick Morgan. This webinar demonstrates how to build content and manage a blog, create an effective Facebook Fan page, leverage a Twitter account, and incorporate video into your branding and communication strategy. Find out how to get followers and fans and how all of these tools can be integrated into a comprehensive and successful social networking strategy that will help you grow your business. ACT Articles, Tools & Recordings on Effective Websites & Social Networking The Best Web Marketing Strategy You've Never Heard
How to get the most out of “local search”
Matt Marko discusses the benefits agents can derive from using free online "local search" tools and directories. He then outlines the steps agents can take to fully utilize them.
Don't Get Caught in the Web!
Managing Agency Website E&O Exposures
Sabrena Sally identifies major agency website E&O exposures and provides several tips, along with sample website disclaimers, to help agents manage those risks. Creating a Social Web Policy for Your Independent Agency
This new ACT resource will assist you in developing the social web policy for your employees' permissible use of social media for business purposes, so that you protect your agency and maintain the productivity of your employees. The report contains a checklist of key steps to take in developing and implementing such a policy, samples of the policies being employed by some prominent companies, examples of possible provisions to include, and suggestions for a social web code of conduct for your employees.
Click here for PDF version of report.
Click here for the Word version of the report. (Best to "save" document to desktop to view it.)
We have also included the social media policies that two independent agencies are using today as an additional resource for agencies to use in customizing the policies appropriate for their firms.
Click here for Agency #1 Social Web Policy. (Best to "save" document to desktop to view it.)
Click here for Agency #2 Social Web Policy. (Best to "save" document to desktop to view it.)
Consumer Shopping for Auto Insurance Grows Online
Ron Berg reviews the latest comScore study of online shopping and purchasing for auto insurance and points to a number of strategies that independent agents can employ to duplicate the speed and convenience that the direct carriers provide, while adding the personal advice and service that agents uniquely can offer. Social Networking’s Value to Insurance Agents and Brokers - Making the Case
Rick Morgan makes the compelling case that the Social Web represents a lasting societal transformation and evolution in marketing that independent agents and brokers should capitalize upon and cites several specific agencies and how they are capitalizing on these new tools to build trust and profitable relationships with prospective as well as existing clients. Five Steps to Find Your Inner Social Networker
Katie Herbst provides agents with five easy steps to get started with social networking and to expand their networking and relationship building skills to a whole new market. ACT Presentation Video & PowerPoint--Chris Jordan, Atlanta Insurance Live (An agency creates a strong online presence on the Social Web using Video & Other Tools; ACT Meeting, Feb 5, 2010)
Click here for video of presentation
Click here for PowerPoint of presentation (Includes links to videos shown in the presentation; best to "save" document to desktop to view it) Build a Web presence worthy of 2010
Matt Marko provides some practical and cost effective tips that every independent agent can implement to build a stronger Web site and Internet presence.
[Internet Marketing] Tools for the Successful Agent of the Future
This article provides independent agencies with practical guidance on how they can benefit from social networking cost effectively to extend their marketing reach and improve client contact and service. Angelyn Treutel outlines the sites and free online tools her agency uses; how she budgets her time spent on social web marketing; and how she ties in her social networking with her website to create an integrated Internet presence and brand. Introduction to Web 2.0 as a Practical Agency Marketing Tool
Irwin Siegel Agency (ISA), a managing general agency, has created an excellent primer on how independent agents can use Web 2.0 to enhance their marketing efforts and it has authorized ACT to make it available to the industry on its Web site. The eBook "Web 2.0: Practical Marketing for Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers" was primarily authored by Kristin Rielly, ISA's New Media Developer, who also serves on ACT's Web 2.0 Work Group and is featured in the webinar below "Three Agencies Demonstrate Their Successes with Social Media." Not only does the eBook define the various Web 2.0 media, it contains some excellent tips on how agencies can maximize the effectiveness of their Web site(s), email marketing, social media networking, and blogging. Readers will find links throughout the eBook and an informative glossary. Agency E&O Considerations When Using Social Media
A lot has been written about how agencies can use social networking tools to enhance their online marketing and market reach. This article explores how the use of social media can impact the E&O risks agencies face and recommends specific steps agencies can take to mitigate those risks, so that the agency can get the full benefit out of these new tools. Podcast on the opportunities of the social web for agents and associations
Recorded at the ACORD LOMA Conference on May 17, 2009, this brief panel discusssion reviews the work of ACT's Web 2.0 Work Group to-date and how agents and associations can benefit from using the social web. The session is moderated by Rick Morgan (Rick Morgan Consulting) and features Liz Kittell (IIA of Nebraska), Kitty Ambers (AIMS Society), and Cindy Adams (Holmes Murphy). Three Agencies Demonstrate Their Successes with Social Networking
View this 20 minute Webinar in which Nibby Priest (Vaughn Insurance Agency), Angelyn Treutel (Treutel Insurance Agency), and Kristin Rielly(Irwin Siegel Agency) show how they are using social networking tools to create new contacts and prospects and build their agency's search engine positioning. View the webinar at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/731366472 (A small portion of the Intro got missed in the recording (first minute) but the three agent demos are complete. Click and hold the blue progress bar to easily advance to desired location of the recording.) Web 2.0: Empowering a Cultural Transformation
Many independent agency owners are wary of the hype around online social media, but they should think about them as today’s business-building tools. Younger producers will want to take advantage of them to grow their books. This ACT article outlines some new social meida tools and how they are changing our world.
Is There A Blog in Your Future?
Branding consultant Rick Morgan makes the case that independent agents should create blogs—a simple, low cost, effective way to create a professional online presence. A blog simply builds a conversation between you and your customers and prospects. This ACT article explains blogs and provides a practical how-to overview. Additional Social Networking Articles
ACT's Web 2.0 work group has been sharing a number of additional resources on social networking tools and how businesses are effectively using them. Rick Morgan, who chairs the ACT Web 2.0 work group and consults with ACT, has tagged the numerous social networking articles ACT's work group has been sharing. Go to http://delicious.com/Rickjmiv and click on the ACT tag on the right hand side of his site.
Ten Things Agents Should Know about SEO
Like an inviting, easy-to-spot storefront on Main Street, independent insurance agents and brokers must be visible online. Unlike popular belief, most agencies don’t need a big budget to optimize their sites for search engines. This ACT article explains search engine optimization (SEO) and provides a how-to overview. Designing an Effective Independent Agent Web Site
The Web is fast becoming a major influencer for nearly all sales of personal auto and individual life and health products, with other lines not far behind. Agencies that want to position themselves competitively by creating and managing a modern Web site, will benefit from the recommendations and agency Web site examples provided in this article. Positioning Your Agency Successfully on Internet Search Engines
It is critical for independent agencies to build an effective brand on the Internet that is easily found by prospects and customers.
Most of us are looking first on the Web for the information we need and we are using search engines to find it. Click on the latest ACT article to learn how consumer buying habits are changing and on how agencies can improve their position on search engines.
Click here to download full story in Word.
Click here to download full story in a PDF
Reaching out to Clients 24/7
This article highlights the opportunity agents have to improve their agency brand as well as their service by providing customers with 24/7 access using the agency’s web site as well as after hours telephone service. The article discusses the areas where 24/7 has provided an early payback for agents.
The Right Way to Find New Insurance Prospects & Sales on the Internet
Gary Savelli is one of the most successful independent agents selling insurance on the Internet. He shares with us the tips he has learned both from his own experience, as well as from those of other agents he has helped to sell on the Web. He also discusses the importance of agents establishing a brand on the Web and learning how to position themselves on search engines. Word PDF | 
