Generating Insurance And Annuity Leads Using Squidoo Marketing

Heard of Squidoo? I?ve only been using it a few weeks, but the website has major buzz and justifiably so. The site is an incredible marketing tool. Basically it?s a web page builder? You can build what they call lenses which are simply web pages. Your lense can be about any topic you choose. It could be a professional bio, an article about insurance, maybe you want to review an annuity product or you simply want to show off pictures of your grandkids or pets.

You?re probably saying, great. I can build webpages. Big deal. What you really want to know is how Squidoo can help you get more leads and make you more money. When you setup a Squidoo lens pick search engine key words and phrases people are searching for. You can get a general estimate of keywords people are plugging in on the search engines and how many searches a word or phrase gets every month by using this keyword tool.

Type in annuity here and you?ll see the number of monthly phrases and other related keywords.

These constitute the number of searches performed on Yahoo. Google tends to run 50-100% higher. Plus you have engines like MSN, AskJeeves and the others which provide even more searches.

If ?Annuity? is the key phrase you?d like you would want to attempt to secure www.squidoo.com/annuity. Granted that?s a highly desirable word and (I?ve checked) it?s already taken. But why not secure phrases close to your area? why not grab.

(Note: For some reason unclear to me the Yahoo keyword tool only returns singular words. That doesn?t mean there aren?t plural searches as well? don?t discount plural words and phrases because there doesn?t appear to be searches.)

Google and the other major search engines love Squidoo and tend to rank Squidoo pages very high on their search results. If you get a good ranking and take the time to write useful, original copy with your contact information you will likely pick up leads.

Squidoo is fairly straight-forward and easy to use, but it can take a while to learn. I ended up reading a short very well-written manual to help me navigate the Squidoo system. Check it out: Squidoo Marketing

Squidoo is just another tactic in the neverending quest to obtain leads. It should be a part of a comprehensive annuity lead generating and selling system, not used as the sole method for attracting new business. The best part about Squidoo is that it costs you nothing. It's 100% free to use.

Bill Broich is veteran annuity salesman who helps agents generate annuity leads and close more sales. Visit his website for more information: Annuity

Annuity Marketing Tactics To Sell More Annuities

I mean it, selling annuities is the easiest sale in the insurance industry. It is all a matter of positioning and having a focus. The focus is simple: numbers. Having lots of people to see and tell the annuity story to is the secret. Leads and lots of them is all that it takes.

Insurance agents all have one thing in common, who can I see today? Many agents even have such a fear of not having anyone to talk to that it makes them almost paranoid. The solution is very simple, do more marketing. Remember, it is all about numbers.

Here is how to do it. Decide on a target market such as seniors age 65 and above as an example. Your target market can be almost anything such as any age group, any income and any asset level. Once you have located your target market then place your marketing plan in motion.

The marketing plan can be built around many different approaches so for the sake of simplicity let?s use direct contact (direct mail.) With your selected target market decide on a subject that will be of interest to this group. A sample topic may topics like this:

? Reduce your social security taxable income
? Protect your assets from nursing home expenses
? New rules regarding your IRA and how to reduce taxes
? Avoid probate cost for your heirs
? Etc. Etc. Etc.

Next select a service to do the marketing so the actual work is outsourced. Numerous choices are available and trying several will help you select one which fits your geographical area and personal approach. A simple Google Search will locate several choices but my personal favorites are (America?s Recommended Mailers, Kramer Mailing Services and Russ Jones)

Next do this, mail 5,000 mailers a month for a solid year. Do not stop and do not evaluate the program for the whole year. Be focused and do not quit. The cost will be approximately $1,300 a month and you should expect a return of about 2%.

Take the expected returns of 100 leads and have a professional telemarketer set your appointments (cost should be about $10 and a little spiff to her/him will go a long way, start small and bonus). If averages hold, you can expect approximately 40 quality leads a month or an average of 10 a week. The leads that you are unable to see place in a drip system and have your telemarketer recall every 2 months for a year. Working 10 quality leads a week for the work year will provide you with 1 (one) sale and the drip system will provide ? sale every other month.

The total sales you should make is 52 plus 6 from the drip system for a total of 58 a year. Next calculate your average premium per sale and for this you may use the industry average of $37,000. Multiply the $37,000 times the 58 sales and your total premium will be $2,146,000.

Multiply the premium ($2,146,000) times the average commission of 7% (varies and should be higher) and your gross income will be $152,220. Now subtract your cost of leads (12 months times $1,300 = $15,600) from the gross income and that will leave you a net income after sales cost of $136,620. You also need to average in the cost of the telemarketer and that will depend on your personal situation but a good rule of thumb should be $500 or so a month.

An annual income of $136,620 will place you in the top .6% of income earners in the United States. And it is all done with a simple process based on numbers. One important type is this; throw away the leads that you cannot reach and those who want to be contacted later. By throwing away the leads will set you free, truly.

There it is, simple, easy and totally manageable. Oh, one other thing, it is very profitable.

Bill Broich is a 30 year annuity salesman who helps agents generate annuity leads. Visit his website to learn more - Annuity.com

Annuity Rescue - How to Save Yourself a Bundle

Is Your Annuity Really Working For You? Annuity expenses have a significant impact on your potential returns! Tax-deferred investing

• An income stream in retirement.
• Insuring your principal in case of death.
• Unlimited contributions.

For all these reasons and more, annuities offer a world of promise for investors in search of growth and/or income investing opportunities. Unfortunately, annuity purchasers don't always spend enough time understanding the real costs of the annuities they purchase. Do you know whether your annuity is low cost or high cost? Or the effect these costs may have over time? First, it's important to understand that every annuity carries an administration charge known as M&E (mortality and expense). There are also costs associated with the mutual fund investments found within the annuity. In addition, most insurance companies charge a surrender penalty of 5% to 10% if an investor wants out of the contract before a designated period of time is up. The bottom line: annuity expenses can have a substantial impact on your potential returns. In fact, your investing success and the resulting stream of income at retirement are greatly affected by the administration fees of your annuity - similar to the mortgage rate of your home loan.

To see what a difference lower fees can make on the potential growth of your annuity policy, visit one of our favorite tools: the Ameritas Annuity Cost Comparison Calculator at the Ameritas Direct website.

http://www.ameritasdirect.com/services/lowfees.htm To compare costs accurately, enter your current annuity expenses, an investment amount and time horizon, and other expense assumptions you'd like to consider. Keep in mind that all variable products have some investment risk, including possible loss of principal.

Also, investment returns will fluctuate over time due to market activity and an underlying portfolio's objectives - so that investor shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Also, if you're considering switching annuities, be aware that there may be penalties and surrender charges which can be substantial. It's your money. Ensure that your annuity is working for you and your retirement nest egg, not for the insurance or fund company.

Article reprinted with permission of Ameritas Life Insurance Company

Steve Hood

LifePlan Advisors, Inc.
A Registered Investment Advisory Firm

For help or answers to your questions call 541 549-1154

http://www.allweatherinvestors.com

"Your Guide to Lifetime Financial Security and Independence"

26 years of helping our clients and friends meet their retirement goals

How Do You Get Cash For Annuity Payment In a Lump Sum of Money?

Rather than wait to receive money monthly you can get cash for annuity payment today from what is known in the industry as a note buyer. Many people who find themselves in need of an immediate source of cash choose to sell their annuities either in their entirety or just a portion of the payments.

Annuities can refer to a variety of different financial arrangements but basically they all work out to a steady, monthly payment for a set number of years. In a structured settlement, which refers a financial plan for injury victims, the insurance company sets up an annuity whereby the victim receives x number of dollars, tax-free, for x number of years. You can also personally invest in an annuity, which works sort of like life insurance. You pay a certain dollar amount every year for a certain number of years, and in return when you reach that point you start getting x number of dollars a month for a specified amount of time.

Regardless of the type you currently have, you can receive cash for annuity payments if you have a need for a large sum of money in the short term. It certainly is much easier than applying for a loan at the bank or with another creditor, and it can usually be executed with 10-14 days with an experienced note buyer. Many people choose to do just this to free up funds for a new investment opportunity, a big purchase or some other financial need.

How do you know the total amount of cash for annuities you will receive?

There is no way to determine the exact amount you will receive for your annuity before you speak to a note buyer. This is because there are a lot of factors involved that must be considered in order to arrive at a quote. What is the balance, how much time is left, what are the inflationary concerns, how financially stable is the payor?

These are a few of the questions a buyer offering cash for annuity payment will ask in order to determine how much your annuity is worth. Also, keep in mind that you do not have to sell the entire annuity. Rather, you can sell just a portion of it and retain the rest. You can also often split the monthly payments, so you receive some and the buyer receives some.

That's why it's so important to find a reputable, experienced note buyer to purchase your annuity from you. He or she will be able to present all of the available options to you so you can make an informed decision. And remember, money today is always worth more than money tomorrow, so you really can't go wrong with a cash for annuity arrangement.

Jamie has been working in the finance industry for many years and is a contributing editor to http://www.selling-your-note.com. Learn more about cash for annuities and get a free, no obligation quote from professional note buyers on our site.

Is it Possible To Sell Annuity Settlements For A Lump Sum of Cash?

You can sell annuity payments for a lump sum of cash rather than wait for your monthly payments if you are in need of a significant amount of capital for an investment, large purchase or other purpose. Whether you have a structured settlement from a lawsuit or your annuity is just a personal investment, there are experienced, professional note buyers who will purchase all or just part of your annuities.

The idea of a tax-free steady source of monthly income is appealing for many people, as it allows them to pay various bills and it is is something that comes in month after month, usually for many years. Some individuals invest in annuities on their own or through work, and annuities are quite common when it comes to structured settlements in injury cases.

But many people find themselves in a position where they need or want an immediate source of cash and they'd like to sell annuity settlement. There are many reasons for this. They might have come across a huge investment opportunity. They might be looking to retire. They might want to make a big purchase. Perhaps they just don't want to wait for a small check each and every month, or don't want to assume the risk of the payor defaulting for one reason or another.

Whatever your own personal reason may be, you can quickly and easily sell annuities without any headaches or hassles. You can usually do this within 10-14 days, especially with an experienced, reputable note buyer. He or she will let you know what your options are so you can make an informed decision. Some individuals choose to sell annuity settlement in its entirety which would yield the largest amount of cash. Others sell just a portion of their annuities, retaining some of their monthly payments.

How much will you get when you sell your annuities?

There are many factors that your note buyer will take into account when evaluating your annuity. Some of these include: balance and time remaining, regularity of payments to date, inflationary concerns, financial stability of payor and other details. Remember, it has to make sense for them financially otherwise it's not worth buying.

The best way to get top dollar when you sell annuity settlement is to keep careful notes of all transactions, and retain a copy of all paperwork from when the annuity was first set up. The more you are able to provide to the note buyer the better off you'll be. Don't forget that you have options, so you don't have to sell the entire annuity. There are several ways to structure it so you get a lump sum and continue to receive some of the payments each month.

If you do decide to sell annuities, make sure you find an experienced note buyer who can offer you a competitive rate for your annuity settlement. Discuss all of your available options and decide what's best for you.

Jamie has been working in the finance industry for many years and is a contributing editor to http://www.selling-your-note.com. Learn how you can sell annuities and other debt instruments on our site as well as get a free, no obligation quote from a professional note buyer.

History Provides Tons of Annuity Sales Leads

Annuities have been with us for a very long time. Actually they date to the revolutionary times when Benjamin Franklin used annuities to help the Cities of Philadelphia and Boston provide funds for their citizenry. The last of these annuities lasted until 1991 when the City of Boston finally cashed it in.

Benjamin Franklin did not invent annuities although he was a great supporter of their benefits. Actually one of the first users of annuities was the Presbyterian Church. The Presbyterian Church used annuities to provide for old age ministers and their families way back in 1720. They expanded their use for widows and orphans and became a backbone of financial security for people of that time.

You might say that annuities are as old as our country and are a major part of the economic growth of America. It is true!

It was not until the tax Reform Act of 1913 that annuities were actually included in our tax code. All the years prior to then annuities were just part of the growing up of America. In 1913 tax rules and regulations of annuities were adopted. It was decided that annuities were so important to the continued growth of the American Economy that tax advantages were granted and are in place to this day.

Babe Ruth used annuities to avoid the risk of the stock market and thus was not hurt by the stock market crash of 1929. The Babe used annuities to provide a lifetime income for his wife and also for himself prior to his death.

I use this history to help my prospects feel comfortable about their decision to buy an annuity. I always say this..

?Annuities are the most boring products in the universe, safe secure and boring.? Their answer is always, that is what I want? boring. They do want boring because there is no risk involved with annuities; they are safe, secure and insured.

How are they insured and who actually guarantees them? I can?t think of a more regulated industry than the insurance industry, maybe atomic energy or some weird thing like that. As far as our industry is concerned, it is heavily regulated. If you do business as an insurance company in any state the safety of the insurance company?s products are guaranteed by three levels.

? The safety and solvency of the insurance company and it is monitored by the insurance commissioner?s department. Solvency is a must to continue business and it is the responsibility of each state to monitor the insurance company

? Every insurance company in each state guarantees each others solvency. Sort of a weaving of joint assets.

? The state guarantee fund in each state guarantees each annuity and life insurance policy. This fund is monitored and managed by the department of insurance. Many states have different levels of guarantees so it is smart to know what your state does guarantee.

I love to tell my annuity sales leads all about annuities and their long and splendid history so enter twinned with the history of America. Some points to remember:

? Annuities were not affected by the stock market crash of 1929 or any other year.

? Each annuity is guaranteed never to lose money.

? In modern history (1913) no one has ever lost a penny in an annuity because of insurance company insolvency

? Franklin, Ruth?..annuities are boring, just the way we like them

Sell our legacy and share the wonderful story of annuities with your clients.

Bill Broich is a 30 year annuity salesman who helps agents ramp up their annuity sales leads efforts. Visit his website to learn more. Annuity.com

Annuity Owner Mistakes

Okay, so I can tell you I have sat in front of countless numbers of people who have made mistakes when purchasing and owning annuities. And I have visited people who wish they never got involved in an annuity. And I have seen people who say that their annuity is their worst nightmare...So what is it that makes the annuity such a bad thing for some people and such a great vehicle for others??? Well I am about to tell you...and it all goes back to the annuity owners biggest MISTAKE. Yes, not mistakes but mistake.
Let me explain to you. Most annuity and insurance agents out there have what is called their "best product." IT is the product that can supposedly solve every investment need for any investor. And they make it sound so good that when someone is shopping for annuities, they ask the salesperson, "what is the best annuity?" and this is the biggest mistake. For all you know, the best annuity to the salesperson may be the one that pays the best commission to him. This question gets more people in trouble than any other question in the investment world..."What is the best ____________ (annuity, stock, mutual fund, etc)? Like I say all the time, there is no best investment because everyone's needs are different. Each investment has it's own benefits which have to be matched to an investor's needs.
So in essence, the biggest mistake is searching for the "best" investmtent. So how do you avoid the annuity owner's biggest mistake? By asking a better question? The best question is "What is the best investment FOR ME?" That question is totally different. You see, to further elaborate, the biggest mistake involves not doing your homework. When you don't do your homework and you look for the "best" investment, you will probably end up with something that you don't want. By doing your homework, you can figure out what you DO want and what you DON'T want. And when a salesperson presents something to you, you can quickly see if it fits your needs or not. If it does not, then the salesperson probably didn't do his job.
One tool to assist you in this search is the book, "Annuities: The Shocking Truths Revealed" Yes, you guessed it; it is not free. But it is valuable. It not only tells you what annuities can and cannot do, it gives you the right questions to ask your agent. It helps you avoid all of the annuity owner mistakes that are made. This is because it tells you everything the agnets, banks, and insurance companies don't. And it revolves around the premise of doing your homework so an annuity doesn't become your worst nightmare.
The bottom line is, always ask, "what is the best annuity for me?" And if the salesperson starts shooting out answers without asking you about your situation, then run...run and find another person. And before they ask you about your situation, it's a good idea to know your own situation. The more you can help a GOOD salesperson, the more they can help you. And remember, there is no "best investment." There is only a best investment for each person relative to their situation and their needs. And please remember...
Ignorance is not bliss...
Tony Bahu is a licensed annuity agent well versed with equity index annuity,
index annuities, equity indexed annuities, index annuity and indexed annuities and has authored 'Annuities: The Shocking Truths Revealed', which reveals the secrets that the banks and insurance companies don't want you to know.
For more information on his document, visit the site below right now!
http://www.AnnuityMD.com