Changing Careers...

[Crow22]

Most of you know that I'm a high school football coach. I've been coaching for 10 years and its all I know and its all I ever wanted to do. But lately, with the big "D" in my recent adventures, I've decided to change careers. I had a guy offer me a job last year and I turned him down. He runs a branch of a large insurance agency. He wanted me to join his agency and become an insurance salesman. I've now decided that I am going to give it a shot. The money is just way too much to turn down.

If anybody out there that reads this knows the insurance business, pm me. I want to know what to expect, ups / downs, pros /cons, etc...

Thanks.

Oh, and I'll get to play more POKER!!!!!

[cLIVESTRADDLE]

Very familiar with the insurance career it is a slow to grow type business - You will be asked first and foremost to contact people that you know in your social circle to sell them first. After that you will be doing a TON of cold calling and solicitation - depending on the company - you will have leads etc.

It also is very important to know what type of insurance you are going to be covering - corporate - life - term - etc.

With the advent of the internet (thank you Mr. Gore) - very very few people want the face to face encounter that you found in my generation. Also the opportunity for profit has been made "razor thin" in this regards because the consumer can check so many sources now.

Of course this cuts both ways - you of course are going to get what you pay for. The real money is made by those that own agencies and have salesmen work under them - Of course demographically you have two major population areas:

1) Baby Boomers - most of these are already covered by past sales but are entering that age of retirement funding - if you are targeting this audience in this aspect - you will need licensing in securities and fund management.

2) Gen X+ - Over the next 5-10 years this will be a solid growing demographic as they move up in salaries and age - I have noticed a TON of players in this age group and interesting a number of families are "growing" lately

You are about the right age and experience for both of these groups - the major thing is to have at least a good guarantee base for a duration not less than 1-2 years - of course pure commission pays the most but it would not be a good idea unless you have a HUGE network of clients.

Probably one of the toughest choices in the commission based selling arenas - you will need a MINIMUM of one year worth expenses to survive.

[Crow22]

Originally Posted by cLIVESTRADDLE

Very familiar with the insurance career it is a slow to grow type business - You will be asked first and foremost to contact people that you know in your social circle to sell them first. After that you will be doing a TON of cold calling and solicitation - depending on the company - you will have leads etc.

It also is very important to know what type of insurance you are going to be covering - corporate - life - term - etc.

With the advent of the internet (thank you Mr. Gore) - very very few people want the face to face encounter that you found in my generation. Also the opportunity for profit has been made "razor thin" in this regards because the consumer can check so many sources now.

Of course this cuts both ways - you of course are going to get what you pay for. The real money is made by those that own agencies and have salesmen work under them - Of course demographically you have two major population areas:

1) Baby Boomers - most of these are already covered by past sales but are entering that age of retirement funding - if you are targeting this audience in this aspect - you will need licensing in securities and fund management.

2) Gen X+ - Over the next 5-10 years this will be a solid growing demographic as they move up in salaries and age - I have noticed a TON of players in this age group and interesting a number of families are "growing" lately

You are about the right age and experience for both of these groups - the major thing is to have at least a good guarantee base for a duration not less than 1-2 years - of course pure commission pays the most but it would not be a good idea unless you have a HUGE network of clients.

Probably one of the toughest choices in the commission based selling arenas - you will need a MINIMUM of one year worth expenses to survive.

Thanks for the info. However, the company I am going to work for has the 2nd largest client list in Texas.

[flop]

wanna insure a cash game ?

[HoustonCT]

good luck man, nothing wrong with trying something new.

And any job which frees up poker time, helllllllllllll yes.

[pokerpatyes]

Is it AFLAC?

Patty