Page 9 - May2017

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What Members Need to Know

Trusted Choice, TrustedChoice.com and Agency Nation

By Dave Hulcher

Like a good neighbor…”, “You’re in good hands…”, members have the potential to get up to $750 (50% of
“You can save 15% in 15 minutes” - Each year exclusive invoice amount) for advertising collateral material and
and direct carriers spend billions in advertising and up to $500 for a digital upgrade (websites, social media,
branding initiatives vying for a bigger share of the over or mobile app) using a web developer or vendor. Contact
$550B property/ casualty marketplace. It’s been almost 15 Trusted.Choice@iiaba.net for more information on the
years since the Big “I” national association endeavored national reimbursement program and the application.
to combat the marketing efforts of exclusive and direct
carriers by creating the Trusted Choice consumer brand • TrustedChoice.com: A turn-key solution for members
with the goal of capturing a greater share of the personal interested in generating more online customers. Having
lines marketplace. Today, nearly 75 carriers partner with a digital presence can be daunting TrustedChoice.com
Trusted Choice to promote the brand and every member has figured out the recipe for member agent search
is able to take advantage of the resources Trusted Choice optimization generating opportunities for both personal and
offers, including Trustedchoice.com and Agency Nation. commercial referrals. Call (855)-372-0070 to learn more.
This article will highlight some of the latest valuable
resources from Trusted Choice from which all members • Sales and Marketing Training: Trusted Choice has
can benefit. created training called “The Power of 30 Seconds” to
improve the inbound sales skills of agency staff. Other
• Digital Review of Websites/Social Media: Ever wonder training includes “Advertising 101” which provides step-
how your website stacks up? For no cost the Trusted by-step instruction for creating an advertising plan. It’s all
Choice team will perform a thorough review of your available by logging into www.trustedchoice.com/agents.
agency’s website, looking at key factors that influence
visibility and usability. From search engine optimization • Agency Nation: Looking for information on how to
(SEO) and blogs, to broken links and website analytics improve your agency’s digital marketing efforts?
tools, the review will surely be eye-opening for your Trustedchoice.com has created www.agencynation.com
agency. Contact Madeleine.Stern@iiaba.net or which has articles, videos, and podcasts to help member
Demarcus.Johnson@iiaba.net. agents connect with new customers and grow their
businesses. There is both free and subscription services to
• Advertising materials: To promote your agency, marketing and sales education.
members have access to a library of professionally
produced and consumer-tested marketing and advertising • Trusted Choice Disaster Relief Fund: The fund was
materials. established to assist agency staff and members of the
community who have suffered losses due to natural and
These are completely customizable and include print ads, man-made disasters. It provides a vehicle for cash grants to
direct mail templates, postcards, and television, radio and help families get back on their feet.
website ads. Be sure to check out the “Why Use a Trusted
Choice Agent?” taggable video which is a great addition to Go to www.iiaofil.org/TrustedChoice/DisasterReliefFund
any agents website. It is now also available in Spanish as for details.
well. Visit www.trustedchoice.com/agents.
Take some time to review these resources available to your
• Graphic Design Services: Bringing big company agency and be sure to share this article with staff. From the
resources to small town agents, Trusted Choice announced free marketing resources available from Trusted Choice,
that members now have access to a full-time graphic to the online referrals of TrustedChoice.com and Agency
designer on staff that stands ready to customize marketing Nation’s content to help you grow the agency efficiently
materials for your agency. Reach out directly to Madeleine through digital marketing – I guarantee you will find value.
Stern at Madeleine.Stern@iiaba.net to learn more.
Dave Hulcher, is Executive Director of the Kansas
• Marketing Reimbursement Program (Co-op): As an Association of Insurance Agents. He can be reached at
incentive for members to incorporate the Trusted Choice (800)229-7048.
logo, the Big “I” will reimburse a portion of the expense to
co-brand advertising and marketing materials and
in creating/updating a digital presence. Specifically,

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