Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Direct Insurance Podcast - DIP!

Most insurance conferences are glorified trade shows. Carriers push products, lead vendors sell leads, and agents walk out with nothing they can actually use. The IAD Sales Summit was built to be different, and the agents who attended felt it immediately.

Chris Orestis and Filip Lundstedt join the Direct Insurance Podcast the day after the IAD Sales Summit to break down what made it different, what agents walked away with, and what is coming next for Insurance Advisors Direct.

In this episode:

• Why most insurance conferences are conventions in disguise, and what a real one looks like
• How the IAD Sales Summit delivered actionable ideas agents could implement within 90 days
• Why nobody was staring at their phones, and what that says about the content
• How the conference workbook challenged agents to honestly assess where they really are versus where they think they are
• The 7 Whys process, and why drilling down to the real reason behind a decision changes everything
• Why knowing your numbers and what they point to beats throwing statistics at people
• How IAD plans to go deeper in future events, beyond sales into building a complete business
• Why the goal is to train agents to be complete business people, not just product pushers

About the guests: Chris Orestis is the President of Retirement Genius, an information and resource platform that helps people build a well balanced retirement. Filip Lundstedt is an insurance agency owner and AI implementation expert who helps agents build smarter, more efficient practices using artificial intelligence. Both presented at the IAD Sales Summit.

Connect with us: 

Website: www.iadbrokerage.com 

Phone: 800-381-0977 

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@iadbrokerage 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/InsuranceAdvisorsDirect 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/insurance-advisors-direct-agency 

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@insuranceadvisorsdirect

That wraps up Season 3! 

New episodes return next season, so subscribe and you will not miss the start of Season 4! 

Medicare Advantage is contracting fast. Carriers are pulling out of markets, cutting benefits, and reducing commissions. The agents who built their entire practice around Medicare Advantage with no plan B are about to feel it in their paycheck.

Harley Gordon, attorney and creator of both the CLTC and the new Certified Medicare Supplement Professional designation, joins the Direct Insurance Podcast to break down what agents need to do right now to protect their practice, and why moving from product selling to advice giving is the only sustainable path forward.

In this episode:

• Why Medicare Advantage is undergoing massive changes, and what it means for agent commissions
• The Certified Medicare Supplement Professional designation, and how it elevates an agent's practice
• How to shift from selling Medicare products to conversations about IRMAA, long term care, hospital indemnity, and final expense
• Why agents who stop talking about products and start giving advice get more referrals
• How one agent generates 93% of his revenue from centers of influence referrals
• Why financial advisors, estate planning attorneys, and CPAs will send you business if you speak their language
• How an extended care event disrupts a financial advisor's entire business model, and why that opens the door
• Why production rose 25% when agents completed the CLTC course

About the guest: Harley Gordon is an attorney in Massachusetts and co-founder of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. He created the Certified in Long Term Care (CLTC) professional designation and the new Certified Medicare Supplement Professional designation to help agents build deeper, more profitable practices based on advice rather than product sales.

Connect with us: 

Website: www.iadbrokerage.com 

Phone: 800-381-0977 

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@iadbrokerage 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/InsuranceAdvisorsDirect 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/insurance-advisors-direct-agency 

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@insuranceadvisorsdirect

New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one. 

Most agents try to sell long term care insurance by leading with statistics, risk, and charts. That works on two types of people: those who already know they need it, and those who have watched a family member go through it. For everyone else, especially healthy men with no prior experience, it almost never works. The conversation has to change completely.

Harley Gordon, attorney and creator of the Certified in Long Term Care (CLTC) designation, joins the Direct Insurance Podcast to break down why selling long term care as a product is the wrong approach, and what the conversation that actually closes looks like.

In this episode:

• Why traditional long term care sales fail with the most common type of prospect
• How to shift the conversation from risk based to consequence based
• Why the sale has nothing to do with the client and everything to do with his family
• A live role play of the CLTC conversation that closes without feeling like a sale
• Why a client can say he will never need care and still buy the policy
• How the CLTC designation teaches agents to create a plan instead of sell a product
• Why insurance agents deliver checks when everyone else delivers bills
• How a documented 25% increase in production followed agents completing the CLTC course

About the guest: Harley Gordon is an attorney in Massachusetts and co-founder of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. He created the Certified in Long Term Care (CLTC) professional designation, which has become an industry standard for agents and advisors who want deeper, more effective conversations about extended care planning.

Connect with us: 

Website: www.iadbrokerage.com 

Phone: 800-381-0977 

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@iadbrokerage 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/InsuranceAdvisorsDirect 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/insurance-advisors-direct-agency 

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@insuranceadvisorsdirect

New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one. 

Insurance companies like Aetna, Humana, and United are quietly automating the follow up, the leads, and the plan presentations that agents still do manually. The brokers who do not adopt AI now will not lose their jobs outright. They will simply make significantly less money, because the carriers will no longer need them to originate anything.

Filip Lundstedt joins the Direct Insurance Podcast to break down how to avoid AI burnout, what to prioritize first, and where the AI insurance agency is headed over the next few years.

In this episode:

• How to avoid AI burnout and overwhelm using the cycle of action
• Why finishing one thing completely before starting the next is the key to staying productive
• How to prioritize appointment setting and follow up over fancy AI sales bots
• Why AI can compress a 45 minute education call down to 15 minutes
• The future of the AI insurance agency, and where the industry is headed
• Why brokers who ignore AI will not lose their jobs but will make far less money
• How Aetna, Humana, and United are building models that reduce the need for independent agents
• Why starting today with free tools and simple steps is all it takes to get ahead

About the guest: Filip Lundstedt is an insurance agency owner and AI implementation expert who helps agents build smarter, more efficient practices using artificial intelligence. He presented at the IAD Sales Summit and shares practical, actionable AI strategies built specifically for the insurance industry.

Connect with us: 

Website: www.iadbrokerage.com 

Phone: 800-381-0977 

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@iadbrokerage 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/InsuranceAdvisorsDirect 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/insurance-advisors-direct-agency 

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@insuranceadvisorsdirect

New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one. 

Most insurance agents give up after one voicemail and wonder why their leads are not converting. The reality is that it now takes 12 to 18 follow ups to get someone on the phone, and the agents who automate that process are the ones keeping 94% of their clients every year.

Filip Lundstedt joins the Direct Insurance Podcast to break down how AI transforms follow up, client retention, and content creation for insurance agents, and why the ground truth statement is still the foundation of everything.

In this episode:

• Why one voicemail is not follow up, and what it actually takes to get a client on the phone
• How to automate SMS, email, and ringless voicemail follow up sequences using AI
• Why client retention matters more than lead generation, and how AI protects your book of business
• How one agent maintains a 94% retention rate using automated 52 week nurture sequences
• How to produce 90 pieces of content in a week and schedule them for the next 90 days
• Why AI can turn one podcast into 17 to 20 clips ready to post on TikTok and YouTube
• How AI helps agents earn five star reviews and improve search visibility
• Why the ground truth statement is the foundation that makes all of it work

About the guest: Filip Lundstedt is an insurance agency owner and AI implementation expert who helps agents build smarter, more efficient practices using artificial intelligence. He presented at the IAD Sales Summit and shares practical, actionable AI strategies built specifically for the insurance industry.

Connect with us: 

Website: www.iadbrokerage.com 

Phone: 800-381-0977 

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@iadbrokerage 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/InsuranceAdvisorsDirect

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/insurance-advisors-direct-agency 

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@insuranceadvisorsdirect

New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one. 

Most insurance agents are chasing every client they can find, buying generic AI prompts that have nothing to do with their business, and wondering why nothing is working. The fix starts with two things: knowing exactly who your ideal client is, and building an AI system around that person.

Filip Lundstedt joins the Direct Insurance Podcast to break down the ideal client avatar, the ground truth statement, and how to build an AI staff that works as a team to handle compliance, upselling, and client onboarding, so the only thing left for you to do is close.

In this episode:

• What an ideal client avatar actually is, and why most agents get it wrong
• Why chasing every client costs you time and money you cannot get back
• The ground truth statement, and why it is the single most important thing you can build
• Why ChatGPT and Claude are different tools, and why you need both
• How to build an AI staff with specific roles, including sales, compliance, and upsell agents
• Why compliance built into your AI protects you from costly Medicare marketing mistakes
• How to compress a 30 minute appointment down to 15 minutes using AI
• Why $40 to $60 a month on AI can change your entire practice

About the guest: Filip Lundstedt is an insurance agency owner and AI implementation expert who helps agents build smarter, more efficient practices using artificial intelligence. He presented at the IAD Sales Summit and shares practical, actionable AI strategies built specifically for the insurance industry.

Connect with us: 

Website: www.iadbrokerage.com 

Phone: 800-381-0977 

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@iadbrokerage 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/InsuranceAdvisorsDirect 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/insurance-advisors-direct-agency 

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@insuranceadvisorsdirect

New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one. 

Most insurance agents are either avoiding AI entirely or spending thousands on generic done-for-you systems that know nothing about Medicare, health insurance, or long term care. Both mistakes cost them time and money they cannot get back.

Filip Lundstedt joins the Direct Insurance Podcast fresh off the IAD Sales Summit to break down what AI actually means for insurance agents today, what to avoid, and the simple steps any agent can take right now to start using it the right way.

In this episode:

• Why AI is a propellant for brokers, not a replacement for who you are
• The difference between workflows and AI, and why most agents confuse them
• Why free AI tools produce generic results that hurt more than they help
• The done-for-you AI trap that costs agents $500 a month or more
• Why speaking to your AI produces better results than typing
• The ground truth statement, and why it is the foundation of everything
• How to start with just three AI tools and actually see results
• Why generic prompts bought online will never work for insurance agents

About the guest: Filip Lundstedt is an insurance agency owner and AI implementation expert who helps agents build smarter, more efficient practices using artificial intelligence. He presented at the IAD Sales Summit and shares practical, actionable AI strategies built specifically for the insurance industry.

Connect with us: 

Website: www.iadbrokerage.com 

Phone: 800-381-0977 

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@iadbrokerage 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/InsuranceAdvisorsDirect 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/insurance-advisors-direct-agency 

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@insuranceadvisorsdirect

New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one. 

Most agents and families do not realize that settling a life insurance policy pays out an average of 9 times more than surrendering it for cash value. That difference can be the gap between affording care and going without it.

Chris Orestis, President of Retirement Genius, joins the Direct Insurance Podcast to break down how the life settlement process actually works, how agents can add it to their practice with a single question, and why billions of dollars in settlements happen every year while most people have never heard of it.

In this episode:

• Why life settlements pay out 9X more than cash surrender value on average
• How hedge funds and investment banks buy life insurance policies as assets
• The one question every agent can ask to open the door to a life settlement
• How the full process works, from policy review to lump sum payout
• Why the process costs the policy owner nothing out of pocket
• The Big Five private pay solutions for long term care, and how life settlements fit in
• How agents get compensated, and why they do not need to be experts to offer this
• VA aid and attendance benefits and reverse mortgages as additional funding options

About the guest: Chris Orestis is the President of Retirement Genius, an information and resource platform that helps people build a well balanced retirement through financial, health, long term care, and lifestyle planning.

Connect with us: 

Website: www.iadbrokerage.com 

Phone: 800-381-0977 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@iadbrokerage

Facebook: www.facebook.com/InsuranceAdvisorsDirect

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/insurance-advisors-direct-agency 

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@insuranceadvisorsdirect

New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one. 

Most families walk into an assisted living facility with no long term care insurance, assume Medicare will cover it, and leave with no answers. What they often do not realize is that a life insurance policy they already own could help pay for that care.

Chris Orestis, President of Retirement Genius, joins the Direct Insurance Podcast to break down the Big Five private pay solutions for long term care, including the life settlement option that most families and agents have never considered.

In this episode:

• The Big Five private pay solutions every agent and family needs to know
• Why Medicare does not pay for long term care, and what actually does
• How a life insurance policy can be sold while you are still alive to fund care
• Why life settlements often pay out more the older and sicker the policy owner is
• The difference between surrendering a policy and settling it for its market value
• Who qualifies for a life settlement, and what the process looks like start to finish
• Why 90% of term life policies are never claimed, and what that means for seniors

About the guest: Chris Orestis is the President of Retirement Genius, an information and resource platform that helps people build a well balanced retirement through financial, health, long term care, and lifestyle planning.

Connect with us: 

Website: www.iadbrokerage.com 

Phone: 800-381-0977 

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@iadbrokerage

 Facebook: www.facebook.com/InsuranceAdvisorsDirect 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/insurance-advisors-direct-agency 

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@insuranceadvisorsdirect

New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one. 

Social Security is facing insolvency by 2032, Medicare trust funds are running low, and roughly 70% of Americans over 65 will need long term care with no plan to pay for it. So what happens next, and what should agents, advisors, and families be doing about it right now?

Chris Orestis, President of Retirement Genius, joins the Direct Insurance Podcast to break down the longevity crisis facing America and the planning gaps most people do not see coming until it is too late.

In this episode:

• Why retirement is no longer a straight line, and what that means for your money
• The Social Security and Medicare insolvency timeline, and what a 20% benefit cut would actually look like
• Why 70% of people over 65 will need long term care, and why most have no plan to pay for it
• What Medicare actually covers versus what most people assume
• The private pay solutions agents and advisors should be talking about now
• How a well planned retirement can be wiped out overnight when care costs hit

About the guest: Chris Orestis is the President of Retirement Genius, an information and resource platform that helps people build a well balanced retirement through financial, health, long term care, and lifestyle planning.

Connect with us: 

Website: www.iadbrokerage.com 

Phone: 800-381-0977 

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@iadbrokerage 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/InsuranceAdvisorsDirect 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/insurance-advisors-direct-agency 

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@insuranceadvisorsdirect

New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one. 

Marketing Moves Every Agent Needs to Make Now In this week’s Direct Insurance Podcast: Uncensored, Jason & Andy reveal: 

✔ How to turn your book of business into a prospect goldmine 

✔ Social media and community marketing ideas that actually work 

✔ How referral partners can fill your pipeline fast 

✔ Why now is the time to prepare before the changes hit

What if just 100 clients could bring you $150,000 in annual income? In this week’s Direct Insurance Podcast: Uncensored, Jason & Andy break down: 

✔ How agents can easily enroll 100 clients this fall 

✔ Why USA Health Plans pay 3–4x ACA commissions 

✔ The power of building a level-income book you can rely on 

✔ How to stop wasting time on non-commissionable work

In this week’s Direct Insurance Podcast: Uncensored, Jason & Andy break down: 

✔ Why HSAs are the most tax-favored savings vehicle in America 

✔ How they beat ACA plans with broader networks & unlimited benefits 

✔ Why agents earn 3–4x the commission on these plans 

✔ How HSAs can transform your book of business

In this week’s Direct Insurance Podcast: Uncensored, Jason & Andy break down: 

✔ Why agents must add ACA alternatives now 

✔ Affordable vs. comprehensive options for your clients 

✔ How the USA Health Plans platform makes selling easier than ever 

✔ Why the EBA Sigma PPO plan is a game-changer for unlimited benefits & broad networks

In this week’s Direct Insurance Podcast: Uncensored, Jason & Andy break down:
• Why ACA changes could cut customer bases by up to 50%
• The importance of mastering alternative solutions beyond ACA
• How to prepare your clients now so you aren’t overwhelmed in the fall
• Why marketing and AI tools are critical to staying ahead

In this episode, Jason and Andy (“The Insurance Buddies”) break down the major regulatory changes coming to the under-65 health insurance (ACA) market and why these disruptions are actually the opportunity of a lifetime for agents.

What you’ll learn:
• The shortened open enrollment period and how it impacts your ACA book
• New rules for Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) and subsidy documentation
• Why some carriers are leaving the market (and how to pivot)
• The expected 20–50% drop in ACA enrollments — and how agents can turn it into growth
• Proven strategies to prepare now so you aren’t crushed in November

We break down what an FMO really does and why agents looking to grow need to understand the power of the right partnership.

Join us for our first episode of the second season as we dive into the latest insights from the 2024 Medicarians Conference in Vegas. Our hosts, the Insurance Buddies, Jason McLellan, Andy Duster, Will Smallwood, and Richard Buffkin, share their thoughts on the new CMS regulations, the growing interest in ACA, and the emerging role of AI in the insurance industry.

Welcome back to the Direct Insurance Podcast - or DIP! for short! A podcast for independent insurance agents; brought to you by Insurance Advisors Direct, a full-service FMO.  Today we sat down with 3 of our carrier rep partners; Kyle Ingraham from Health Alliance Plan - or HAP, Robin Kane-Mostyn from McLaren Medicare, and Rob Roberts from Priority Health! With all 3 of these carrier reps having once been independent agents themselves, we sat down to talk about the 5 Habits of TOP Successful Agents. 

What does it take to become an independent agent in today's world? And more importantly - what does it take to become a SUCCESSFUL AGENT in today's world? From mindset, to marketing; Kyle, Rob, & Robin tell us the facts about developing & maintaining an entrepreneurial balance in the insurance industry. We talk about how to find resources for training, education, marketing, and business development. They also give their top tips on how to become successful in the industry, including a habit or two to avoid doing!

Carrier Reps play an important role in the industry - because they help facilitate the growth of the agent, while also being the agent's advocate. As well as being the direct line of communication between the agent's client and the insurance carrier - meaning that they're constantly keeping their ears to the ground in terms of what agents and their members want from their plan!

Share this episode with a small business owner that you think would find this information helpful; even if they're not an insurance agent! But until then - Let's D.I.P. into insurance!

Welcome back to the Direct Insurance Podcast - or DIP! for short! A podcast for independent insurance agents; brought to you by Insurance Advisors Direct, a full-service FMO.  Today we sat down with Nick Mancuso from Retirable! Retirable describes the business as "... an experienced team of financial advisors and technologists, passionate about building a way to help you get more from your golden years — and we won't stop until everyone can confidently expect a better retirement." -Retirable.com 

Today we sat down with Nick to talk about the current state of the Financial market in 2023; and how recession impacts investment accounts. Some would say that the market is on a downward trend - but is it? Nick explains that what we're seeing in today's market is played up by media, and exaggerated. Although there have been market declines in the last year, 2023 has seen some interesting investment numbers due to the increase in Annuity investments. Index accounts are seeing the greatest returns of any investment account-types. Due to the cyclical nature of the market, index investments get all of the market growth, without any market decline. Annual resets allow for index accounts to grow with market increases; making index accounts like annuities and IULs to become more and more popular in today's financial world.

Is this the best way to help clients save for retirement?

Share this episode with a small business owner that you think would find this information helpful; even if they're not an insurance agent! But until then - Let's D.I.P. into insurance

Welcome back to the Direct Insurance Podcast - or DIP! for short! A podcast for independent insurance agents; brought to you by Insurance Advisors Direct, a full-service FMO.  Today we sat down with Donald Kirkendall from Kirkendall/AffordableOne Insurance! Don walks us through the importance of life insurance in today's world, and why it's MORE important for younger generations to think about life insurance now than ever before.

The cost of living has gone up...but so has the cost of DYING! Young people have less risk of passing away unexpectedly, therefore their monthly premiums will be much lower than for those who are in their later years of life. Many young people believe that life insurance is too costly, so they put it off - thinking they won't need it until they get older...but then the unthinkable happens.

Don explains for us all the different situations that young people in the Millennial (ages 25-42) and Gen Z (ages 7-24) can possibly be in; when it comes to needing life insurance. Situations ranging from being a single parent with children from multiple fathers, a child with family health risks, and a child who lost their mother during childbirth. It's these stories that make us realize that tomorrow is never promised. Don also shares with us a few tips on how you can start generating life insurance leads in these age brackets, and how to speak to these groups on the importance of these products for their family's sake.

Share this episode with a small business owner that you think would find this information helpful; even if they're not an insurance agent! But until then - Let's D.I.P. into insurance!

Welcome back to the Direct Insurance Podcast - or DIP! for short! A podcast for independent insurance agents; brought to you by Insurance Advisors Direct, a full-service FMO.  Today we sat BACK down with Robert Intelisano, aka The Insurance Doctor! Rob walks us through some really important things that can help you sell more annuities! We talk about the features and benefits of annuities that help educate the client, while still making the most sense to them!

Robert is the Founder and President of Intelisano & Associates. Since 1999 he has worked with thousands of individuals, families, and businesses helping them to obtain the best and most cost-effective insurance protection for their specific needs.
 
Taking a holistic approach with every case, Rob does not promote products until he understands his client’s short and long-term goals and needs. Only then does Rob and his team of independent professional advisors design the best solution, and always with the goal of providing you with protection and peace of mind at the right premium.

Rob has earned the following designations:
• Earned Chartered Life Underwriter CLU in 1995
• Earned Certified Senior Advisor CSA in 2003

Rob shares some of the most important lessons he's learned since starting in the industry, including the importance of having a good mentor, and being honest and transparent with your clients.

Share this episode with a small business owner that you think would find this information helpful; even if they're not an insurance agent! But until then - Let's D.I.P. into insurance

Welcome back to the Direct Insurance Podcast - or DIP! for short! A podcast for independent insurance agents; brought to you by Insurance Advisors Direct, a full-service FMO.  Today we sat down with Chris Schiefer; a life insurance specialist and IAD's partner from TruChoice Financial! Chris has been working in the insurance industry for almost 20 years and has been helping agents and brokers alike grow their book of business by educating them about different insurance products that can help them retain and grow generational wealth for their clients.

There are numerous ways that today's consumers can save for retirement. But how many ways are people saving for life after death? Today Chris helps us outline the benefits and caveats of different insurance, and non-insurance options for today's consumers to help them grow or maintain wealth. These options can also help generate generational wealth for the client's family. 

But how do we know which is best?

Share this episode with a small business owner that you think would find this information helpful; even if they're not an insurance agent! But until then - Let's D.I.P. into insurance

Welcome back to the Direct Insurance Podcast - or DIP! for short! A podcast for independent insurance agents; brought to you by Insurance Advisors Direct, a full-service FMO.  Today we sat down with Robert Intelisano, aka The Insurance Doctor! Rob walks us through some really important things that both you and your clients need to know about annuities; including some basic definitions and tax deferrals.

Robert is the Founder and President of Intelisano & Associates. Since 1999 he has worked with thousands of individuals, families, and businesses helping them to obtain the best and most cost-effective insurance protection for their specific needs.
 
Taking a holistic approach with every case, Rob does not promote products until he understands his client’s short and long-term goals and needs. Only then does Rob and his team of independent professional advisors design the best solution, and always with the goal of providing you with protection and peace of mind at the right premium.

Rob has earned the following designations:
• Earned Chartered Life Underwriter CLU in 1995
• Earned Certified Senior Advisor CSA in 2003

Rob shares some of the most important lessons he's learned since starting in the industry, including the importance of having a good mentor, and being honest and transparent with your clients.

Share this episode with a small business owner that you think would find this information helpful; even if they're not an insurance agent! But until then - Let's D.I.P. into insurance

Welcome back to the Direct Insurance Podcast - or DIP! for short! A podcast for independent insurance agents; brought to you by Insurance Advisors Direct, a full-service FMO.  Today we sat down with Chris DeMars; an annuity specialist and IAD's partner from TruChoice Financial! Chris has been working in the insurance industry for almost 20 years and has been helping agents and brokers alike grow their book of business by educating them about different annuity, securities, & traditional savings options that consumers can use to save for retirement.

The cost of raising a child in the year 1990 has since more than tripled in today's world. While the cost of living; has shot up significantly in the last 3 years. What will the financial climate look like in the next 30 years, and how will we all have enough money to survive after the employer paychecks have stopped rolling in? What do we do if every day is a Saturday in retirement? There are numerous reasons as to why we all have to save for retirement, and there's just as many ways to save for that stage of life. 

But some options are better than others. There are so many risks associated with more traditional forms of retirement savings options, including withdrawal risk, longevity risk, tax risks, etc. Teach your clients how to save for a more financially sustainable future by planning for retirement using insurance products, as opposed to their bank.

How many times have we had to bail out the banks? How many times have we had to bail out the insurance company? 

Share this episode with a small business owner that you think would find this information helpful; even if they're not an insurance agent! But until then - Let's D.I.P. into insurance

Welcome back to the Direct Insurance Podcast - or DIP! for short! A podcast for independent insurance agents; brought to you by Insurance Advisors Direct, a full-service FMO.  Today we sat down with Ken Peterson from Benistar, where we talked about 10 ways that you can be a better communicator. Communication is extremely important in a sales environment, and how your client feels in a conversation with you will have a lot to do with whether they will close the sale...or go somewhere else!

In today's digital age, more and more people are craving that face-to-face interaction, as opposed to looking at a computer screen. Although you may still be conducting some meetings via Zoom or other similar platforms due to restrictions of physical distance; it's important to know how to be a good communicator in these situations. Consumers in today's world want to feel like they are truly being heard. And if you are proposing to be able to solve their problems with what you sell, you should be ready to actively listen in order to provide the emotional connection with a client that will make them feel heard. When your clients feel as though you're a great communicator, they'll want to refer you to their friends and family!

Share this episode with a small business owner that you think would find this information helpful; even if they're not an insurance agent! But until then - Let's D.I.P. into insurance

Welcome back to the Direct Insurance Podcast - or DIP! for short! A podcast for independent insurance agents; brought to you by Insurance Advisors Direct, a full-service FMO.  Today we sat down with Shirley Lanier - Shirley has been in the industry for roughly a decade and started out her business in the D-SNP market of Medicare. Shirley explains to us the benefits of D-SNP Medicare products, as well as the differences that the PACE programs make to seniors; but that you can't have both!

The Medicare system can be extremely confusing, and if you're not careful or ask the right questions to your clients, you can end up a creek without a paddle! We talk about the barriers to D-SNP products, the limitations but also the benefits of the program for those people who are dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. With such a large gap in today's wages amongst the working class - most seniors (especially in low-income areas around southeast Michigan) have more limited options for care, or even financial resources in order to stay healthy! What else do you want to know about D-SNP vs. the PACE Program?

Share this episode with a small business owner that you think would find this information helpful; even if they're not an insurance agent! But until then - Let's D.I.P. into insurance!

Welcome back to the Direct Insurance Podcast - or DIP! for short! A podcast for independent insurance agents; brought to you by Insurance Advisors Direct, a full-service FMO. In today's episode, we sat down with Joanne Giardini, owner of Giardini Medicare. Joanne has been a Medicare expert for roughly 2 decades and uses TikTok as a means of generating high quality leads for her and her agency! How many leads you ask? How about 300 people who are ready to enroll in Medicare by the end of 2023?! WOW!!!

Joanne explains how she got started in producing TikTok content and how it has become part of her weekly routine. She explains the time and dedication that she puts into the platform, and how it has helped her grow the business in a way that no one - not even her son - ever imagined! Joanne also talks about how she films videos ahead of time, so that she can have videos ready to post while she's relaxing on vacation. (But as a Medicare agent, are you ever really, TRULY ever able to relax or take vacation? Hmm...)

Share this episode with a small business owner that you think would find this information helpful; even if they're not an insurance agent! But until then - Let's D.I.P. into insurance!

Welcome back to the Direct Insurance Podcast - or DIP! for short! A podcast for independent insurance agents; brought to you by Insurance Advisors Direct, a full-service FMO. Today, we had 3 very special guests in the DIP studio; Dan Tripp, Ruben Rodriguez, and Andrea Hicks. Each of these agents shared some of their client horror stories, ranging from "hindsight is 2020" to "maybe I should bring bug spray with me to every appointment...."

When you work with the general public, there are NUMEROUS things that can go terribly awry! There are so many people that don't understand the importance of working with not only a knowledgeable agent, but also the importance of simply HAVING the insurance policy for their needs - and how their needs could cripple them financially without proper coverage. Learn from these mistakes so you can help take your business to the next level - and have a laugh or two along the way!

Share this episode with a small business owner that you think would find this information helpful; even if they're not an insurance agent! But until then - Let's D.I.P. into insurance!

Welcome back to the Direct Insurance Podcast - or DIP! for short! A podcast for independent insurance agents; brought to you by Insurance Advisors Direct, a full-service FMO. In today's episode, we sat down with Dan Greer, aka Dan "The Man" Insurance Etc.! Dan has been in the insurance industry for a decade and has a lot to share about the insurance industry - mainly about the importance of client retention!

Client retention can be the make or break in your insurance business, especially as a Medicare agent. From referrals, renewals, medicare scams, and unintentional plan switches; it's important to stay up-to-date with your clients, check in with them periodically, and just let them know you're still here to help them. Dan "The Man" explains of a few instances where he could have done more to retain a few clients; and what he learned from those experiences. While also sharing some ways that he keeps in contact with past clients, but without paying for a large CRM system!

Share this episode with a small business owner that you think would find this information helpful; even if they're not an insurance agent! But until then - Let's D.I.P. into insurance!

Welcome back to the Direct Insurance Podcast - or DIP! for short! A podcast for independent insurance agents; brought to you by Insurance Advisors Direct, a full-service FMO. For today's episode we sat back down with Tyffany Chalifour-Molic (aka the Boujee Budget Mom on tiktok!) to discuss the time and effort that goes into content marketing on social media. Social media is a WONDERFUL tool to small businesses - including independent insurance agents! Having social media accounts are free to the user as well as audience members, so why not take advantage?

But social media is also a game; run by our favorite fickle mistress - the ALGORITHM! Producing content that works WITH social media algorithms as opposed to against them will help you and your brand get the exposure that you're looking for when you're attracting an audience of consumers to your personal brand. But content creation is VERY tedious and time consuming, so you have to be realistic with yourself when you're a business owner and want to grow your brand online. What are you actually capable of producing in terms of content? What should you be doing in order to be seen by new audiences? Tune in to find out!

Share this episode with a small business owner that you think would find this information helpful; even if they're not an insurance agent! But until then - Let's D.I.P. into insurance!

Welcome back to the Direct Insurance Podcast, or DIP for short! In today's episode, we sat down with Kayla Salamon! Kayla is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in Marketing, Communications, and a Certificate of Public Relations. Kayla works as a soial media campaign manager for a global marketing agency that services many large brands that you know and love! She is also a large consumer of social media as well as a content creator/travel influencer on Instagram! (Follow her! @kaylasalamon)

Kayla shares with us her expertise in how to structure content, in how it should align with your business goals, be created with your audience in mind, work with the social media algorithm, and how posts can go viral. We talk about the business funnel and the purpose of using social media as a means of spreading brand awareness, in order to generate leads that align with your original business strategy. Social media is a wonderful free tool, and you can have it work to your advantage to make more money in your business; if you structure your content for higher reach and engagement.

Share this episode with a small business owner that you think would find this information helpful; even if they're not an insurance agent! But until then - Let's D.I.P. into insurance!

Welcome back to the Direct Insurance Podcast, or DIP for short! In today's episode, we sat down with Lisa Winn of the Winn Agency, and Dan Greer, aka Dan "The Man" Insurance Etc.! We talked about the struggles Lisa was having with agencies that promised one thing...and did another. It's unfortunately too prevalent in today's world that entities are offering social media marketing services to insurance agents, (or other small business owners) but these services are often not what they seem...

Dan "The Man" Insurance Etc. has been a client of IAD's sister-brand Marketing Advisors Direct for 6 months, and shares how his experience in working with MAD has differed - and even EXCEEDED expectations in comparison to what other agencies or entities are offering as far as their social media marketing services. Dan explains his joy in working with MAD and the value it has given to his insurance business.

Agents today are getting ripped off with social media marketing services that don't understand the industry; including Medicare marketing compliance, CMS guidelines, posting strategies, OR EVEN SIMPLY USING HASHTAGS!!!!! Our Host and Social Media Strategist Kelsey Korte does a deep dive on the questions that agents should be asking any social media marketing service, in order to determine whether the service is going to bring you results, or leave you feeling burned!

Share this episode with a small business owner that you think would find this information helpful; even if they're not an insurance agent! But until then - Let's D.I.P. into insurance!

Welcome back to the Direct Insurance Podcast, or DIP for short! In today's episode we're sitting down again with Gabrielle Curry to talk about social media! Social Media is an amazing marketing tool for businesses of all sizes, but if you're an independent agent trying to grow your business in today's world, you should have a presence on social media in order to generate leads.

In this episode we talk about the different social media platforms that are generally used by a majority of audiences in today's world. We also discuss the reasons why agents should be utilizing social media to market themselves and their businesses, along with social media marketing techniques that can help you boost your social channels. We also go over target audiences and how to develop content that truly speaks to your target audience.

Share this episode with a small business owner that you think would find this information helpful; even if they're not an insurance agent! But until then - Let's D.I.P. into insurance!

Welcome back to the Direct Insurance Podcast, or DIP for short! Today we're sitting down with the Boujee Budget Mom from TikTok; Tyffany Chalifour-Molic! Tyffany is an entrepreneur and content creator; starting with her mindset coaching business, Tyffany uses TikTok to spread brand awareness about her business!

With over 100k followers on TikTok, Tyffany explains how she's developed a personal brand for her business and how she's used TikTok to to do it. In today's episode, we go over what goes into developing a personal brand for independent insurance agents, and how to utilize your personal brand on social media in order to attract those high quality insurance leads that are closer to closing every time!

Share this episode with a small business owner that you think would find this information helpful; even if they're not an insurance agent! But until then - Let's D.I.P. into insurance!

Welcome back to the Direct Insurance Podcast, or DIP for short! Today we sat down with John Janesak of Covenant Financial! John talked with us today about the 5 FREE ways that he generates HIGH QUALITY insurance leads in today's world.

When you're an insurance agent or small business owner, it can be hard to generate leads in today's market. The competition is TOUGH and it can be hard to succumb to the pressures of traditional, EXPENSIVE forms of lead generation. If you caught episode 4 of the DIP podcast, we talked with Joe Brown about how expensive some of these lead generation strategies have become over the years. So it's made it harder to get a good ROI in the year 2023. But John tells us about the networking, community events, referrals, and more ways that he's been able to grow a profitable business, and having a career that provides for his family.

Share this episode with a small business owner that you think would find this information helpful, even if they're not an independent insurance agent! But for now - Let's D.I.P. into insurance!
#DIPintoInsurance

Welcome back to the Direct Insurance Podcast, or DIP for short! Today we're sitting down with Joe Brown. Joe has been an independent agent for nearly 30 years, and has tried a bit of everything when it comes to the marketing and lead generation tactics for independent agents.

Joe explains how lead generation and marketing for agents has shifted and changed over the years; the benefits, the caveats, and everything in-between. We go over everything from lead lists for direct-mail, cold-calling, generating referrals, sponsorships, networking, organic web SEO & social media, and MORE!

Share this episode with a small business owner that you think would find this information helpful; even if they're not an insurance agent! But until then - Let's D.I.P. into insurance!

Welcome back to the Direct Insurance Podcast, or DIP for short! Today we sat down with Gabrielle Curry, an independent agent and talked about using the SMART method to develop & sustain business goals in the insurance industry.

When you're a small business owner, it can be easy to lose sight of your business and financial goals if you don't have a roadmap to get there. Gabrielle explains how at her agency, she and her fellow agents set production goals based on experience level, benchmarking last years' results, & time of year. She breaks down how her long term goals are made up of multiple short term goals that help her stay on track. She explains how her short term goals help outline and motivate her to meet more people & have more personable interactions in order to meet her financial goals, and what activities go into developing the success within those goals.

Share this episode with a small business owner that you think would find this information helpful, even if they're not an independent insurance agent! But for now - Let's D.I.P. into insurance!

Welcome to the DIP! or Direct Insurance Podcast! Today's episode is how FMO's (Field Marketing Organizations) help independent insurance agents in their businesses. An FMO is the third-party intermediary between the independent agent, and the insurance carrier. They are licensed to sell, market, and distribute insurance products. Although, an FMO is mostly responsible for providing insurance agents and brokers with training, resources, product information, back office support, and assisting with marketing services.

In short - FMO's help independent agents and brokers make more money in their businesses!

Today, we sit down with Ryan Morefield of Senior Advisors to talk about how he has benefitted in his business as an insurance agent; while being partnered with an FMO.

Welcome to the Direct Insurance Podcast, otherwise known as DIP! Today we're sitting down to talk to Insurance Advisor's Direct's CEO & President, Jason McClellan.  Jason has been in the insurance industry and worked as an independent agent for over 20 years. After seeing opportunity for both marketing AND training resources that were currently available to Independent agents, Insurance Advisors Direct was born! 

Join us as we walk through the process of understanding who makes a great insurance agent. We go over information like getting your insurance license, certifications and exams, business information and helpful resources to help you grow your business as an independent agent.

Share this podcast episode with anyone you know who has been thinking about getting started in insurance - now, lets' DIP into Insurance!

Hello, and welcome to the Direct Insurance Podcast - or D.I.P! The D.I.P Podcast is brought to you by Insurance Advisors Direct; Southeast Michigan's Full Service FMO. 

This Podcast will cover topics such as lead generation, marketing, digital marketing strategies, and more for the independent broker! Here at Insurance Advisors Direct, we have one mission; Simplifying Your Success! We focus on the success of our industry partners through our 7 Core Pillars:

• Product Offering
• Training & Education
• Lead Generation
• Sales Tools
• Marketing Services
• Technology
• Administrative Services

If you are an independent insurance broker in the health, senior health, life, or annuities markets, we highly suggest you D.I.P into Insurance with us!

Thinking of becoming our industry partner? Visit our website!
www.iadbrokerage.com 

Or Call Toll Free!
(800) 381-0977

Now, let's D.I.P into insurance!