When you think of text messaging, you probably picture texts between friends and family. But text messages don’t only play a role in communication between loved ones; it is one of the main communication channels between businesses and customers.

The insurance industry is fast adapting to text messaging to stay in contact with customers. To introduce text messages as part of your agency’s marketing reach, you must know how and when to use this technology.

Understanding Compliance and Consent

First, you must know the laws and regulations governing text messaging. Your agency must adhere to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, a primary telemarketing law passed in 1991. This law now includes measures against unsolicited text messages and calls. Your agency must also comply with the CAN-SPAM Act and the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association guidelines.

These regulations mean you must get consent before sending clients text message marketing. The same applies to text messages about existing policies and claims. Save the documentation in each client file so you can refer to it should you get audited.

Crafting Effective Messages

Sending text messages to customers does not mean hastily slapping words together and sending them to thousands of numbers hoping to get new leads. Every message you send must have a clear message and objective. And they must include a CTA (call-to-action). If you want to sign up new customers, tailor a suitable CTA. If you want to inform existing customers of overall policy changes, create a CTA that suits the message.

Also, when you’ve gathered the permissions to send text communication, first segment your contact list. You set up several lists based on demographics, existing business, and future needs. When you’re ready to send text messages, kick off each messaging campaign with an attention-grabbing headline. Something like ‘available today only’ or ‘upgrade before midnight’ usually works well.

Keep your messages within the 160-character limit and highlight the value of acting on the CTA. Leave the jargon for the policy documents and only use friendly, understandable terms.

Messages to prospects can include offers for free quotes or a free event promotion. For existing customers, you can craft time-sensitive discounts for upgrades or cross-sells. You can also use text messages to send renewal reminders, claim updates, and birthday messages.

Text messaging is all about personalization. Use first names where possible and include existing information about policies and engagement.

Leveraging Automation

You do not have to send text messages to thousands of people manually. Don’t even attempt it, because it will take forever. Use an automation tool to get those messages out as fast as possible.

Typically, insurance agency management systems include an SMS feature. For instance, the JenesisNow system has an integrated SMS option that you can use to send appointment reminders and information about policy renewals and claims updates.

With JenesisNow, you can save the SMS communications in a centralized client folder (for each client). The system provides one platform where your agents can access all the client data they need, including SMS messages.

Measuring Success

Measuring the success of your text message campaigns is as crucial as getting permission to send messages in the first place. With a proper tracking tool, you can track the open rates and response rates of all text messages you send. You can even use it to measure customer satisfaction.

If you continuously monitor these metrics, you will get the feedback you need to adjust your strategies for optimal success. Making changes according to feedback is the only way to implement data-based decisions. And doing that will make your customers feel heard and appreciated, which is excellent for your customer satisfaction rate.

Using the Power of Texting in Your Agency

In 2024, you cannot ignore the power of text messaging in your insurance agency. Your insurance agents will no longer despair at unopened emails because text messages have a 98% open rate. Texts are essentially a direct line to customers and prospects because people would read a text before they open an email. Plus, people always have their phones with them, because they can use them for anything from communicating to banking to working.

Moreover, adding a text-to-quote option to your text messages encourages customers to ask for quotes without nagging them. It is a low-friction way to get more potential leads and sales because it is a more personalized approach to insurance sales.

Text messaging can speed up the claims process, keeping your customers happy. It is also an affordable marketing option. You can integrate text messaging platforms with CRM systems, including JenesisNow, which means you will never miss a message or lose any communication with a customer.

Always add an opt-in and opt-out option to your messages, keep them short and to the point, and always offer value. Doing this will help you strengthen existing customer relationships, draw more clients, and drive success in your agency.

The insurance industry is like a living organism. It is constantly growing, evolving, and adapting to different circumstances. When insurance agencies do not keep up with these changes, they ‘die’ because their growth stalls. Agencies that go with the flow, so to speak, continue to evolve with the times. This allows them to grow stronger and beat the competition.

One of the most important components of a successful modern insurance agency is software. We are at the point where AI and other technologies have completely changed how people experience and buy insurance. Therefore, if you want your agency to be the go-to for modern consumers, you must invest in modern insurance software in 2024.

Key Features of Modern Insurance Software

First of all, you need a cloud-based software solution. Most people want the flexibility to work from home, and the cloud makes your central CRM system accessible to all employees.

You also need a software system with built-in data security features, so your agency always complies with industry regulations. Non-compliance has been the death knell of many an insurance agency, and you do not want to follow the same route.

Moreover, your chosen software must integrate seamlessly with your existing customer service and business tools. You can even buy software that integrates with social media for easy marketing.

Some of the best insurance software options on the market today also offer advanced analytics, which give you insights into metrics such as expiring policies and upsell opportunities and help you make better business decisions.

Essential Software Types for Insurance Agencies

When choosing a software solution, pick something with the essentials you need and the extras you want. For example, the JenesisNow system is an advanced web-based agency management system that will help you increase your agency’s efficiency, market your products to a target audience, and improve customer service. These are must-haves and nice-to-haves.

Furthermore, JenesisNow offers all the CRM tools you need to keep your agency functioning at top levels. It also comes with customer access to a client portal. This means customers can access all their information and documents without waiting. Another benefit is that your agents can focus on marketing and selling and do not have to focus on email requests for documents and information.

Another must-have that Jenesis offers is insurance rating and quoting software. This means you have your own built-in insurance comparative rater, and the system integrates with several insurance rating platforms.

Something that is highly essential for insurance agencies is claims management software. JenesisNow offers one platform and overview for your agents to track claims and outcomes. Jenesis also provides an overview of each agent’s monthly or quarterly targets, which can help track commissions due and streamline financial management.

Last but certainly not least, with JenesisNow, you can automate your marketing process, including promotional emails.

Choosing the Right Software for Your Agency

Before you settle on a software system for your agency, you must determine what it needs the most. Do you want to simplify the buying process? Do you want to reach more leads with your marketing campaigns? Do you want to increase the number of communication channels between your agency and your customers? These are crucial questions to answer before you shell out money for a software solution.

Moreover, choose scalable software so the system can easily handle sudden volume increases. And, if you experience hiccups with the system when you try to add more data, you must have a solid customer support system to help you.

And, do not underestimate user-friendliness. If you choose a system that is too complicated for your agents to use, they may ignore it. If a new software solution requires extensive training, it may not be the best solution for your agency. Instead, look for something easy to use and understand and that all employees can use from day one.

The best way to determine whether a system will work for your agency is to read reviews from current users. You will soon discover the main issues (if any) and what users complain about the most. This is also why you should do extensive research before choosing insurance software.

Invest in the Right Software Solution Today

The most important thing to remember when choosing insurance software is to choose something that fits your agency’s existing processes. The software should speed up your workflow, not slow it down with unnecessary training and onboarding.

You should also be able to connect your existing tools and programs without a struggle. Your agents should be able to track their sales progress and targets using the system. And the software should make your marketing process a breeze.

Technology is the way forward for many businesses, including insurance agencies. The only way to achieve sustainable growth and efficiency in your agency is by investing in the latest technology. JenesisNow offers you growth, efficiency, and much more.

 

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