With all the media coverage and hysteria surrounding the outbreak of swine flu, a group of savvy insurance agents capitalized on the BUZZ, using e-mail marketing to create timely, relevant messages to catch the attention of targeted prospects. Although the idea was simple and easy to execute, the result was a staggering response rate, and more importantly, NEW BUSINESS.

All agencies, big and small, can learn a lesson from this.

1. All consumers-from the 20-year-old college student looking for an auto policy to the highly specialized technology company in need of E&O-are constantly bombarded with advertisements for cheaper insurance. That includes YOUR existing customers.
2. Consumers have become skeptical and less interested in traditional marketing mediums (i.e. yellowpages and newspapers).
3. With only a second or two to catch their attention, timely and relevant marketing is the most effective and efficient way to reach the modern consumer.
4. The Internet and the personal computer are the medium of choice for consumers. The explosion in forums like MySpace and Facebook support this point. This month's Insurance Journal talks about the importance of social media to independent agents. This is not just about reaching teenagers and college students. The fastest growing demographic for Internet users is individuals 50 and up.
5. Email is the number one way to communicate with the modern consumer.

How do you tie this information together to make money?

Like anything in life, nothing worthwhile is easy. This strategy requires FOCUS. The best e-Agents know how to blend RELEVANT TOPICS with the RIGHT CONTENT, and they know when and where to use this information to their advantage. By combining the right mix of proactive and reactive marketing, these agents create a predictable lead flow of high-quality targeted prospects.

Let's be honest. Most people are not interested in opening an envelope that says "YOU CAN SAVE MONEY ON INSURANCE working with local people." EVERYONE is saying the EXACT same thing, to the point where no one cares. However, if you sent an email that says "Protect your family from swine flu and other harmful viruses," you are going to get their attention. It makes sense. This will create an opportunity for you to differentiate yourself.

The Problem:
Most independent agents don't have time to create timely and relevant marketing campaigns that involve strategies like premium search, Virtual Insurance Offices, landing pages, multimedia presentations, blogging, email marketing, etc. For most agents, the mere thought of it creates a huge headache. The GAG response is typically, "Our agency is 100% based on referrals."

The Million Dollar Question:
How are the Internet and the use of personal computers affecting brand loyalty and the ease of obtaining competitor quotes? Is this trend going to increase or decrease? Fortunately, for agents who recognize the shift in consumer behavior, there is an alternative to shrinking books of business and decreasing profits. Astonish Results has created a complete turn-key marketing system that is allowing agencies to grow their business in any economic environment. If you are one of those agents who believe that HOPE IS NOT A STRATEGY, contact Astonish Results today.

Stop the bleeding. Discover how the top e-Agents in the country are thriving with Astonish Results.