Are you looking for general advice on how to get started with social media for your insurance agency? We decided to ask those who have started from scratch – the social media specialists at agencies currently – who work day in and day out to become insurance social networking pros, how they did it.
We asked, “What would be the one piece of advice you would give an agency just starting out with their social media marketing?”
And here are their responses:
“Don’t jump into every network at once! Once you’re comfortable with 2 or 3 then take on another.”
– Amanda Spittell, eCommerce Account Executive, Berry Insurance
“BE PATIENT! Rome wasn’t built in day!”
– Shelby Allen, Insurance Agent/Marketer, Garry Insurance Center
“Don’t overdo it…”
– Dave Brower, Social Media Consultant, Bogle Insurance Agency
“Agency involvement is huge, but can be a challenge. Explain to them how to invite people and share the company social media pages and you will be amazed how quickly your following can grow!”
– Amber Infalt, Digital Marketing Representative, Northbrook Insurance Associates
“It takes months/years to build…but get your staff involved and excited about participating in it!”
– Christi Gartner, Marketing & Social Media Manager, Remland Insurance Services
“Be patient, genuine and show your personality. Coming from a small community I know our followers can sniff strictly sales BS a mile away. Social media is meant to be social and community supportive so start interacting with other well established SM businesses and share local goings on.”
– Katharine Stapleton-Santee, Customer Relations & Social Media Marketing, Mansfield Insurance Agency
The key messages seen through the advice of these social media managers can be summed up in three main points:
1) Be Genuine. Content is important on social media sites, and your fans and followers want to see information that is relevant, exciting, and engaging.
2) It’s not a sprint, but rather a marathon. Building a community around your agency’s social media presence is about being consistent over time. Similar to other inbound marketing activities, you have to be in it for the long haul.
3) Getting agency employees involved is a must. The culture change that must happen at many agencies isn’t just relatable to sales activities. Having staff participate by sharing ideas and utilizing their own social networks can help boost results and traction.