2019-07

  Learn the meaning behind the hashtag symbol (#), how to include it in your tweets, and why it's so important for engagement on Twitter, even for insurance agents.   The Agent Survival Guide Team’s 7 Rules for Using Hashtags: Hashtags don’t have spaces between words or punctuation in words. Hashtag phrases are usually CamelCase. The first letter of each word is capitalized to help you read phrases better, i.e. #InsuranceAgents not #insuranceagents. Hashtags can occur anywhere in a tweet — at the beginning, the middle, or the end. Hashtag words that become very popular on Twitter are often Trending Topics (which are highlighted in the sidebar of your Twitter feed). If you tweet with a hashtag on a public account, anyone who does a search for that hashtag can find your tweet. Don’t #spam #with #hashtags. Avoid over-tagging a single tweet. (The recommendation is no more than two to three hashtags per tweet.) Use hashtags only on tweets relevant to the topic. So, don’t add #insurance to a tweet about a bad hair day.   Mentioned in This Episode:   Follow Ritter on Twitter How to Be Successful on Twitter: 9 Surprising Stats to Know   The latest from Agent Survival Guide:   2020 Medicare Advantage & Part D Certification Info 4 Reasons Why Ritter Should Be Your FMO Insurance Agency 5 MORE Real-Life Medicare Sales Scenarios & How to Handle Them   Subscribe & Follow:   Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Podbean Spotify Stitcher   Connect on social:   Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn  

  Learn how to build your credibility (and your audience!) by engaging others on Twitter. We cover retweets, replies, direct messages, and likes —and how to use each one.   Mentioned in this episode:   @RitterIM   The latest from Agent Survival Guide:   2020 AEP: Ready to Sell in 5 Steps 4 Reasons Why Ritter Should Be Your FMO Insurance Agency 5 MORE Real-Life Medicare Sales Scenarios & How to Handle Them   Subscribe & Follow:   Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Podbean Spotify Stitcher   Connect on social:   Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn  

  Ready to connect on Twitter? We've got a few tips to help you start the conversation with your fellow insurance agents, agencies, and industry leaders.   Download our Twitter Guide PDF   Mentioned in this episode:   How to Recruit Insurance Agents to Your Downline @RitterIM – Ritter Insurance Marketing on Twitter Social Media Sparked, Accelerated Egypt's Revolutionary Fire Twitter by the Numbers: Stats, Demographics & Fun Facts   The latest from Agent Survival Guide:   2020 Maximum Broker Commissions: Medicare Advantage & Medicare Part D 4 Ways to Fund Long-Term Care: Hybrid Insurance FAQs about AHIP   Subscribe & Follow:   Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Podbean Spotify Stitcher   Connect on social:   Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn  

  Looking for 2020 Medicare agent certification and product training details? Learn how you can find carrier AHIP, Medicare Advantage certification, Part D certification, and product training details in one convenient place! Read the text version.   Ritter’s Certification Center   Mentioned in this episode:   4 Reasons Why Ritter Should Be Your FMO Insurance Agency FAQs About AHIP Get Medicareful Register with Ritter Sell More Medicare Plans Online with Medicareful What is AHIP and Why Do You Need It?   More episodes you’ll like:   4 Reasons Ritter Should Be Your FMO | ASG009Meet Ritter. We’re a different kind of Field Marketing Organization.   FAQs About AHIP | ASG074You have questions about AHIP, we've got the answers! Get the facts on this exam, from how much it costs and where to take it, to study tips and discounts.   What is AHIP and Why Do You Need It? | ASG001Learn more about AHIP requirements, how to get certified, how much it costs, and ways to find discounts on AHIP courses.   The latest from Agent Survival Guide:   2020 AEP: Ready to Sell in 5 Steps 2020 Maximum Broker Commissions: Medicare Advantage & Medicare Part D How to Recruit Insurance Agents to Your Downline   Subscribe & Follow:   Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Podbean Spotify Stitcher   Connect on social:   Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn  

  Online privacy is a big deal. You want to use social media to market your insurance business. How do you protect yourself and your clients? We've got some best practices and a link to a very informative eBook that’s free to download. Listen to find out more! Download Social Media Marketing for Insurance Agents   Mentioned in this episode:   How to Create a Strong Password The Facebook and Cambridge Analytica scandal, explained with a simple diagram Top Seven Reason Why You Should Not Share Your Passwords   The latest from Agent Survival Guide:   2020 AEP: Ready to Sell in 5 Steps 2020 Medicare Advantage & Part D Certification Info FAQs about AHIP   Subscribe & Follow:   Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Podbean Spotify Stitcher   Connect on social:   Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn  

  Stay compliant with the CMS Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines — even while on social media. We outline the best practices for insurance agents to follow while using social media. Download the Social Media Compliance Guide PDF >   ASG Social Media Compliance Guidelines:   DO NOT treat a follow, like, or comment as a permission to contact (PTC). If someone contacts you through social media, ask them to get in touch with you via email or by phone so you can keep a record.   DO answer questions on social media. While a comment isn’t a PTC, it is compliant to respond to a question or comment on a public social media forum. However, you can’t address them beyond the scope of the question or statement.   DO NOT buy (or use) social media leads or referrals. Never buy social media contacts as a form of lead generation. Even if you’re given a free list of social media profiles, you cannot initiate contact. Instead, ask your friends and current clients to share your information with potential leads (who must contact you first before you can talk to them). Word of mouth is your business’ best friend.   DO keep things generic. No carriers, logos, or specific product information. Promote your services only. It’s OK if you want to tell your clients that you specialize in Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, or PDP, but not which carriers you represent. It’s OK if you want to share information that your clients can obtain in the public domain (such as how much Part B premiums are), but not information that is specific to a product or a plan.   Use Common Sense – Just because someone else is doing it, doesn’t make it compliant. Monkey-see monkey-do isn’t safe when it comes to CMS compliance. Make sure you thoroughly review the CMS guidelines for yourself and ask your FMO or other trusted colleagues educated questions when you see something you’re not sure about. It’s better to be safe than sorry in these instances, which is why we prefer to stick to a PR approach.   Mentioned in this episode:   CMS 2019 Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines Social Media Marketing for Insurance Agents Do’s and Don’ts of Medicare Compliance ǀ ASG005  What’s New in the 2019 Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines? ǀ ASG083   More episodes you’ll like:   Do’s and Don’ts of Medicare Compliance | ASG005 Medicare compliance starts with CMS and the Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines. We break down what’s allowed – and what’s not – in this can’t-miss episode.  What’s New in the 2019 Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines? | ASG083 Stay compliant with the new CMS Medicare guidelines. We unpack the biggest changes to the 2019 MCMG that you need to know about. Are Your Medicare Marketing Materials Compliant? | ASG121 Are you following the rules for marketing Medicare plans? We're sharing the answers to frequently asked compliance questions to help you ensure you stay on good terms with CMS.   The latest from Agent Survival Guide:   4 Perks of Being a Part-Time Insurance Agent How Medicareful Helps You Sell Ancillary Products How to Pitch Medicare Medicare Savings Accounts (MSAs)   Subscribe & Follow:   Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Podbean Spotify Stitcher   Connect on social:   Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn  

  Not sure where to start on social media? The Agent Survival Guide team has you covered! Learn more about why this tool is so essential to your insurance business marketing strategy.   Mentioned in this episode:   Social Media Fact Sheet   The latest from Agent Survival Guide:   2020 AEP: Ready to Sell in 5 Steps 2020 Maximum Broker Commissions: Medicare Advantage & Medicare Part D 2020 Medicare Advantage & Part D Certification Info FAQs about AHIP   Subscribe & Follow:   Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Podbean Spotify Stitcher   Connect on social:   Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn  

  Prepare for AEP with help from the Agent Survival Guide team! Use these steps as you get ready for the 2020 Annual Enrollment Period. Read the text version. Learn more about Ritter’s Annual Summits   Ritter Insurance Marketing info mentioned in this episode:   Carrier Pages Certification Center Contracting Licensing Email Licensing Fax: 888-509-7058 Official Website Sales Team   More episodes you’ll like:   2020 AHIP Certification UPDATE | ASG News Update: 2020 AHIP certification is LIVE! Need to know where to find carrier-specific Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plan certification requirements? We cover everything you need to know about AHIP!   The Survivor’s AEP Checklist | ASG002 Get ready for Annual Enrollment with the Agent Survival Guide AEP Checklist!   What is AHIP and Why Do You Need It? | ASG001 Learn more about AHIP requirements, how to get certified, and ways to find discounts on AHIP courses.   The latest from Agent Survival Guide:   2020 Maximum Broker Commissions: Medicare Advantage & Medicare Part D 4 Perks of Partnering with an FMO How to Get Your Medicare Enrollment Kits on Time FAQs about AHIP   Subscribe & Follow:   Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Podbean Spotify Stitcher   Connect on social:   Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn