Licensed to Talk Insurance

Episode 27 - Rebranding Your Insurance Agency: Strategies, Tips, and When to Take the Leap

Rebranding your agency is a significant decision that can breathe new life into your business, but it's not one to take lightly. In this episode, Amanda and Kelsey dive into the three key phases of rebranding—planning, execution, and launch—sharing actionable tips and real-world examples along the way. Learn how to evaluate whether a rebrand is the right move, strategies for ensuring client buy-in, and how to maintain brand goodwill while introducing fresh changes. Whether you're considering a full overhaul or a simple refresh, this discussion offers invaluable insights to help your agency stand out in a crowded marketplace. Tune in for practical advice and inspiration for your next branding journey!

Episode 26 - Maximizing Agent Success: How Trust and Expertise Drive Underwriting Wins

In this episode of Licensed to Talk Insurance, hosts Amanda Yaniz and Kelsey Concklin-Ramsey are joined by Dan Huffstetter, Executive Vice President at Chicagoland SIA. Dan shares valuable insights for independent insurance agents on building trust with underwriters, enhancing submissions, and understanding their clients' businesses. The conversation covers Dan's experiences as an underwriter and how agents can differentiate themselves through well-crafted submissions and strong relationships. They also highlight the importance of continuous learning, emphasizing available training resources like Chicagoland SIA's Business Insurance Advantage and Commercial Lines Bootcamp.
The episode provides actionable advice on navigating underwriting relationships, improving submission quality, and prospecting effectively.

Episode 25 - From Onboarding to Perpetuation: Comprehensive Support for Agency Success

In this episode, Kelsey sits down with Jenny McNulty to discuss the comprehensive range of support services available to new and established insurance agencies. They explore the hands-on guidance provided for new agency onboarding, covering essential steps like securing carrier codes and developing sound business strategies. Kelsey deep dives into the different ways she assists members with their digital strategy while Jenny highlights the long-term mentorship offered to agencies, including assistance with employee contracts, producer agreements, buy-sell agreements, and perpetuation planning. Whether you're just starting or planning for the future, this episode offers valuable insights into the ongoing support available to help agencies succeed at every stage.
Tune in to learn all the ways Chicagoland SIA assists your agency’s growth, evolution, and long-term success!

Episode 24: Charting the Course - Mapping the Customer Journey

In this episode of Licensed to Talk Insurance, Amanda Yaniz and Kelsey Concklin-Ramsey delve into the intricacies of mapping the customer journey. They explore the significance of understanding every touchpoint in the path from prospect to policyholder. Listen in to learn how mapping this journey can unveil opportunities to enhance client experiences, improve agency processes, and ultimately increase customer satisfaction and loyalty

Episode 23 - Essential Reporting for Insurance Agency Growth

In Episode 23 of "Licensed to Talk Insurance," hosts Amanda Yaniz and Kelsey Concklin-Ramsey welcome back Christine Lee, an agency growth coach at Chicagoland SIA. This episode dives deep into the critical reports that insurance agency owners should be reviewing regularly to ensure growth and profitability. Christine shares her insights on the importance of daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports, focusing on key performance indicators (KPIs) that drive agency success.
Join us as Christine discusses the essential daily reports that keep processes and procedures in check, the weekly metrics that fuel producer competition, and the monthly and quarterly reports that provide a comprehensive view of the agency's health. Whether it's tracking renewals, managing claims, or monitoring prospecting pipelines, Christine offers practical tips and best practices to help agency owners stay on top of their reporting game.
Tune in for an informative conversation packed with actionable strategies for independent insurance agents looking to optimize their reporting processes and drive growth in their agencies.

Building Your Perfect Tech Stack: Essential Steps for Independent Insurance Agents

In this insightful episode of License to Talk Insurance, your hosts Amanda and Kelsey dive into the essential steps for developing a tech stack tailored to independent insurance agencies. They discuss the critical components of a tech stack, from agency management systems to customer relationship management (CRM) tools, and website essentials.
Amanda and Kelsey provide practical advice on identifying key pain points technology can alleviate, finding and vetting the right vendors, and ensuring your tech solutions are scalable and compliant with industry standards.
They also share tips on avoiding common red flags when choosing tech vendors and highlight the importance of cost transparency and ease of use. Whether you're a new agency owner or looking to optimize your existing tech stack, this episode offers valuable insights to help you streamline your operations and enhance your client interactions.
Tune in to learn how to make informed decisions and build a tech stack that will grow with your agency, saving you time and money while boosting efficiency and client satisfaction.

Understanding Perception Checking: Enhancing Communication in Insurance

In this episode of "Licensed to Talk Insurance," hosts Amanda Yaniz and Kelsey Concklin Ramsey dive into the often-overlooked skill of perception checking. Join Amanda, the Director of Marketing, and Kelsey, the Director of Digital Strategy at Chicagoland SIA, as they explore the nuances of effective communication within the insurance industry. They discuss the importance of self-awareness, body language, and adapting to various communication styles, including generational and cultural differences. Through relatable anecdotes and practical tips, Amanda and Kelsey illustrate how mastering perception checking can prevent misunderstandings and foster stronger relationships with clients and colleagues. Tune in to learn how to enhance your communication skills and better serve your clients in this insightful and engaging episode.

Navigating Trends and Educating Clients: Insights for Personal Lines Insurance

In the 20th episode of "Licensed to Talk Insurance," hosts Amanda Yaniz and Kelsey Concklin Ramsey are joined by special guest Tammy Nelson, Personal Lines Manager at Chicagoland SIA. With over 30 years of industry experience, Tammy shares invaluable insights into the underwriting factors shaping personal lines insurance policies today. From the impact of credit scores to evolving trends in roof coverage, Tammy delves into the nuances agents need to navigate for optimal client outcomes.
Throughout the episode, the trio explores significant trends, including the rise of telematics in personal auto policies and the growing importance of educating clients on coverage adequacy. They discuss strategies for agents to adapt to industry changes, emphasizing the role of education in empowering clients to make informed decisions about their insurance needs. From the benefits of long-term carrier loyalty to the critical importance of adequate liability limits, Tammy, Amanda, and Kelsey underscore the mission of insurance agents as trusted advisors in safeguarding their clients' financial well-being.
As the conversation unfolds, listeners gain valuable insights into how agents can enhance client relationships, tailor coverage options, and stay ahead of emerging industry trends. With a focus on education and client empowerment, this episode equips independent insurance agents with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving insurance landscape. Join the conversation and stay tuned for more expert insights in the world of insurance on "Licensed to Talk Insurance."

Episode 19: All that Data; Data-Driven Marketing for Insurance Agents

n this episode of "Licensed to Talk Insurance," hosts Kelsey Ramsey and Amanda Yaniz delve deep into the realm of data and analytics, providing invaluable insights for independent insurance agents looking to make informed marketing decisions. From leveraging tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and CRM systems to analyzing email marketing strategies and social media analytics, this episode offers practical tips and strategies to maximize marketing effectiveness.
Listeners will learn how to interpret data to determine optimal posting times, refine email marketing campaigns, identify high-performing content, and even cross-sell policies using insights from their agency management systems. Packed with actionable advice and real-world examples, this episode is a must-listen for insurance professionals seeking to harness the power of data-driven marketing to grow their businesses.
Whether you're a seasoned agent or just starting out, join Kelsey and Amanda as they guide you through the process of decoding data and unlocking marketing success in the insurance industry.

Unleashing ChatGPT: A Practical Guide for Insurance Agents

In this episode of "Licensed to Talk Insurance," hosts Amanda Yaniz and Kelsey Concklin Ramsey delve into the world of generative AI and its implications for independent insurance agents. Focusing on ChatGPT they explore its functionalities and discuss how it can assist agents in various aspects of their marketing endeavors. From summarizing articles to assisting with social media posts and hashtags, ChatGPT is a valuable resource - particularly for agents with limited resources. However, they caution against overreliance and emphasize the importance of maintaining human-to-human connections.  they also point out the limitations of ChatGPT's knowledge of Insurance and that the AI easily confuses coverages with similar names. With practical insights this episode provides a comprehensive guide for agents looking to leverage AI effectively in their business strategies while retaining their unique value proposition.