Stress....

[RALFFERS 0]

Although I'm working & love where I work, I have never been unsder this much financial stress in my life...scratch that - I have never been under this much stress, period!

Bills, bank overdraft fees, a credit card...ARGH!!

I still work in insurance sales - BUT - selling for Aflac should be much, much easier; even in this crappy economy. In a nutshell, it's free for business owners, of any size company to provide additional benefits to their employees, on top of that they get a freaking substantial tax break year to year in payroll taxes....I mean what more could you want??? Nonetheless, cold calling doesn't work well (that's to be expected, obviously) they don't even let you say anything. As far as networking or warm marketing - that's like pulling teeth too. People have been successful before me, & there will be others long after I'm retired...I don't know what the problem is. I've put everything on hold for now....going out, driving out to the DZ (gas btw now costs $3.70 per gallon for unleaded, &$4.30+ for premium grade.) Hell, I don't even have time to go to the gym because I'm always working.

I just wanna go away...

Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself -

"from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of

[Nightingale 0]

The Aflac guy who comes around my work brought a whole box of little stuffed ducks wearing Aflac t-shirts and gave them to the front desk receptionist. When he called a week later to make an appointment to talk to people, he said "I'm the one who brought the ducks!" and because he was now familiar, got to make his appointment, and more people talked to him because "hey, the duck guy is here!" Dunno if that will work for you...

[cocheese 0]

Dude, 5 years in the insurance biz after 5 years of college almost killed me. We've been through this before. You know what to do.

[airdvr 210]

I got out the first of the year. I feel your pain.

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[RALFFERS 0]

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The Aflac guy who comes around my work brought a whole box of little stuffed ducks wearing Aflac t-shirts and gave them to the front desk receptionist. When he called a week later to make an appointment to talk to people, he said "I'm the one who brought the ducks!" and because he was now familiar, got to make his appointment, and more people talked to him because "hey, the duck guy is here!" Dunno if that will work for you...

I do the duck thing as well. My manager also suggested bringing lunch for the employees; works well for him. But again, I have to be able to meet with the business owner before I get to see the employees. The hardest part of my job is not having people see the value of what aflac does once I have them in front of me, it's getting that 1st appoint with Mr./Mrs. business owner.

Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself -

"from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of

[RALFFERS 0]

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Dude, 5 years in the insurance biz after 5 years of college almost killed me. We've been through this before. You know what to do.

Yes Jeff, I know... But try to understand where I'm coming from dude. With or without a college degree, I wont be hired anywhere because I'm viewed as a liability because of my disability. 1) they may think I'm more prone to fall & break something, therefore entitled to collect from workers-comp. 2) if they fire me they're afraid I'll scream discrimination & sue. Solution...don't hire me. I'd hate to say it, but "equal opportunity employer" is a nice littlle slogan that don't mean much.

I have hopes of pursuing skydiving, as well as other things; I'm not going to achieve any of my dreams & aspirations by working at McDonald's. I'm worth more than that, damn it.

So, it's either, survive in sales or eat a bullet....cuz I'm sure as hell never going to allow myself to be homeless!

Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself -

"from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of

[LisaH 0]

Breathe. One thing at a time.

Be yourself!
MooOOooOoo

[simplyputsi 0]

You might change your approach. Sure free stuff gets peoples attention. But, instead of cold calls, go directly to the business. When you get there, after making some small talk, say hey who is your insurance with? Their answer will either get you in the door or not.
From there it's all up to you to close it. If someone says we don't have insurance, then bam make the appointment. Follow up follow up follow up.

And ummmmmm Bank overdrafts are kind of inexcusable, you should know if you have money to spend or not. Sorry for that tough love.

But yeah breathe, breathe, breathe. Most things take a lot of work.

Skymama's #2 stalker -

[cocheese 0]

Why do people think they have to be hired by someone else? I don't get it. Who programmed you into thinking you have to work for someone else?

Take a risk and try to be your own boss. Provide a service or product to someone for a profit. Then go hire starving insurance agents to sell your stuff.

[RALFFERS 0]

Quote

You might change your approach. Sure free stuff gets peoples attention. But, instead of cold calls, go directly to the business. When you get there, after making some small talk, say hey who is your insurance with? Their answer will either get you in the door or not.
From there it's all up to you to close it. If someone says we don't have insurance, then bam make the appointment. Follow up follow up follow up.

And ummmmmm Bank overdrafts are kind of inexcusable, you should know if you have money to spend or not. Sorry for that tough love.

But yeah breathe, breathe, breathe. Most things take a lot of work.

see, that's the thing too- even if a business has insurance I can still work with them. Because Aflac specializes in supplimental benefits we don't change anything a company has in place - we just add to it so that the employees have even more options. Because in truth, yes, health insurance pays for your medical bills & whatnot, but who provides cash so you can still pay your bills while your not working? :note: workers comp only pays out if you have an accident on the job.

really, there's no reason why I shouldn't be closing 3-5 accounts per month.

Anybody out there own a business?

Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself -

"from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of

[bfilarsky 0]

Ugh, I feel your pain. I'm doing cold calling sales for home alarm systems. Great part about the job? It pays pretty damn well for the number of hours I work. Shitty part about the job? Always wondering if I'll make the sales I need to, and getting rejected at the door literally 50 times for every sale. Good luck with it, I'm still trying to figure this crap out!

[poe62 0]

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With or without a college degree, I wont be hired anywhere because I'm viewed as a liability because of my disability. 1) they may think I'm more prone to fall & break something, therefore entitled to collect from workers-comp. 2) if they fire me they're afraid I'll scream discrimination & sue. Solution...don't hire me. I'd hate to say it, but "equal opportunity employer" is a nice littlle slogan that don't mean much.

Forgive me since I don't know what kind of disability you have, but there ARE reasonable companies out there if you look. There are more than a few people where I work with disabilities. My friend in the cube down the row is missing his leg. He does fine. Take the time and research places if you are not happy where you are working. Good luck. I know how bad it feels when things are bad.

~Nikki
http://www.facebook.com/poe62

Irgity Dirgity

• Quote

[sunshine 2]

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but there ARE reasonable companies out there if you look. There are more than a few people where I work with disabilities.

same here at my job.

___________________________________________
meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[RALFFERS 0]

As far as marketing material _ I have this attachment, amongst other things. Do you guys think it would be a worthwhile effort to fax it out to a whole bunch of companies?

Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself -

"from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of

[Muenkel 0]

I think the fax route would take up entirely too much of your time with very little benefit. A person who receives that is most likely not going to take the time to read it. It's extremely wordy and most probably would end up in the trash.

The difficult part with sales is making the contacts. We all know that cold calling sucks but it's necessary. Do not let the cold calling discourage you. Put each call behind you after the call is made (I'm referring to the negative responses and how they make you feel.). Don't carry that negative feeling over to the next call. When calling, if you get voicemail (98% of the time), leave a brief but informative message. Follow up is key, but don't slam them everyday. Try a week later. If you do speak with someone and they give you the usual "It's not in our budget right now", feel free to ask them when is the best time for me to follow up. Ask permission to follow up. Use your personality at all times. Be friendly, funny, a breath of fresh air in that person's mundane job. Be real! Speak with them as if you've known them for a long time, not as a stranger. Love your product. Be enthused about your product. Have confidence in your product. You would be surprised what you convey over the phone.

It's all a numbers game. The more calls you make, the better your chances for a hit.

If all else fails, sleep with them.

Don't follow my grammer example up above in your written correspondences.

Don't let the burn out hit. Take breaks when necessary.

Most important, take care of yourself.

Best of luck Ralf.

_________________________________________
Chris

[airtwardo 7]

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2822145#2822145

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[RALFFERS 0]

Jim - why must you do this too me?....

Yes, selling insurance in this economy sucks donkey balls - BUT - selling for Aflac S H O U L D' be easier... Read my OP,or take a peak at the Word attachment.

Screw it! - now that I know I could flat pack I'm moving to a year-round DZ to become somebodies packing bitch.

Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself -

"from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of

[airtwardo 7]

Quote

Jim - why must you do this too me?....

Yes, selling insurance in this economy sucks donkey balls - BUT - selling for Aflac S H O U L D' be easier... Read my OP,or take a peak at the Word attachment.

Screw it! - now that I know I could flat pack I'm moving to a year-round DZ to become somebodies packing bitch.

Let's see...

~you like skydiving, you're in sales...you just need to plant that one little career seed and get started...

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[RALFFERS 0]

Quote

Quote

Jim - why must you do this too me?....

Yes, selling insurance in this economy sucks donkey balls - BUT - selling for Aflac S H O U L D' be easier... Read my OP,or take a peak at the Word attachment.

Screw it! - now that I know I could flat pack I'm moving to a year-round DZ to become somebodies packing bitch.

Let's see...

~you like skydiving, you're in sales...you just need to plant that one little career seed and get started...

You('d) should not be surprised what has run through my mind.

Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself -

"from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of