Insurance agents, have you ever thought you would like to build your own insurance agency? And if you just had the tools and knowledge you could do it.  Now you do!

In this episode of The Broker Link, Regional Medicare Sales Director, David Ireland explains what it takes to start an agency, recruit agents, and grow it into a successful business.  

How many years do you need as an agent?  Do you need start-up money to start an agency? What will be different?  He answers all these questions and more in this episode.

If you are considering it or want to learn more about The Brokerage Inc., an FMO (Field Marketing Organization) with nearly 50 years in the industry, visit us at www.thebrokerageinc.com.

Are you thinking about expanding your insurance business?  Have you considered becoming a Registered Social Security Analyst or RSSA?  Insurance agents are overlooking this lead generation strategy.   

In this episode of The Broker Link, we talk with Thomas Drapala, Registered Social Security Analyst's Director of Strategic Partnerships.  He dives into how agents can help their clients make the best decisions for their retirement while growing their businesses.

Drapala goes over what you get in return by going through the program and becoming a Registered Social Security Analyst.

It includes:

• Education
• Training
• Technology
• Marketing
• Back Office Support

For being a Brokerage Inc. agent, you will get a special discount when you sign up for the program.  Go to www.rssa.com/thebrokerage for all the details on how you can become an analyst.

Have you been thinking about getting into selling Medicare?  Or maybe you are a health and life insurance agent wanting to expand your portfolio.   This is a great time to get into Medicare sales and we want to help you get started.

In this episode of The Broker Link Podcast, we go back to the basics of how to get started in Medicare sales.  One of The Brokerage Inc.'s Regional Sales Directors, David Ireland walks us through the process of selling Medicare.

You will also learn:

• How to get certified
• How do you get paid
• The best marketing strategies
• Where to start selling
• And a lot more.

If you want to learn more about The Brokerage Inc. as an FMO partner, visit us at www.thebrokerageinc.com

It's that time of year again when people hit the roads to take to the skies for their annual vacation.  It's also a great time of year for agents to see if their clients need travel insurance.  Adding travel insurance to your portfolio is a great way to increase your cross-selling opportunities.

In this replay of our travel insurance episode, Ronda Logan, the Director of Business Development with IMG walks agents through the different products they offer including the iTravel insured program, short-term policies, the Patriot travel program, International Student programs, and more.

If you want to hear more of Ronda's discussion on IMG travel insurance, visit The Brokerage Inc. YouTube channel.

And to get contracted with The Brokerage Inc., go to www.thebrokerageinc.com. 

In the market for an FMO? Now is the time to start doing your research.   An FMO or Field Marketing Organization is an insurance marketing organization that is a third party between the agent and the insurance carrier.  The insurance carriers rely on these entities to support the agent at no charge to the independent broker.  

In this episode of The Broker Link, Gillan breaks down the differences between an FMO, IMO, and GA.  He will also share what to look for when choosing the right partner.    Some things to look for include: 

•   Available carriers
•   Contract structure
•   Training
•   Service and Support 
•  Technology
•  Company history and reputation
•  And a lot more.

There are also some other previous episodes that can help you learn more about choosing an FMO.  

• How to Choose the Right Insurance Marketing Organization 
• Leaving a Legacy: The Brokerage Inc. Story

If you want to learn more about what The Brokerage Inc. has to offer, visit our website www.thebrokerageinc.com.

In business and life, you can learn a lot from the people who have experienced it before you.  At The Brokerage Inc., we have the honor and pleasure to have Cheryl Hopkin as our CEO.  Cheryl and her husband Ross started this company in the 1970s and over time it continues to be one of the premier FMOs (Field Marketing Organizations) in the country.  

At a recent employee summit, Cheryl spoke with Ivonne Acuna about her history, what it takes to be a business owner and how she feels about all of her partners.  

Enjoy this conversation with our owner, co-founder and CEO.

If you would like to know more about The Brokerage Inc., visit our website www.thebrokerageinc.com.

If you don't fully understand the new CMS Final Rule pertaining to FMOs you are not alone.  It's still a little unclear.  In this episode of The Broker Link, The Brokerage Inc. President Emeritus, Mike Smith talks with John Greene, Sr. Vice President of Government Affairs of NABIP (National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals).

This discussion occurred at an event with insurance agents and agency owners.  You will hear questions from agents on what matters to them.  Please excuse any audio issues we had.  It's a great discussion on the insurance industry as it pertains to the CMS Final Rule.

If you still have questions about the CMS Final Rule for FMOs,  visit our website  www.thebrokerageinc.com.

Agents, do you ever talk with your clients about Social Security?  If not you should start discussing their benefits and options when to take it.  

In this episode of The Broker Link, Mike Smith, a newly appointed Registered Social Security Analyst (RSSA) discusses what agents should know about Social Security.  He will also talk about the process of becoming an analyst.

If you want to learn more about RSSA, you can visit their website www.rssa.com.  Or you can  reach out to Mike or our office at The Brokerage Inc., www.thebrokerageinc.com.

Do you have any plans to help clients with Long Term Care?  It's a growing problem that could get even worse in the coming years.

In this episode of The Broker Link, we sit down with Mike Smith, President Emeritus at The Brokerage Inc. to discuss this growing problem and how you can help with the solution.

If you want to learn more about Long Term Care or any of the products at The Brokerage Inc., visit www.thebrokerageinc.com.

As we continue our series on SEP Success, today we take a look at how to bundle some of your products.

Health expert, Michelle McLaren explains the power of strategic bundling and how it can help you thrive in the off-season.

Michelle tells us how to:

• Learn client-focused solutions
• Bundle packages
• Key practices for success in insurance sales 
• Explain a client's qualifications  
• Help clients dealing with Medicaid Unwinding  
• Talk about deductibles
• And a lot more!

And if you would like to start this series from the beginning, check out this podcast, SEP Success: ACA 101