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A History of Blood – Vol. 4, Chapter 22

Working on my promotion to Assistant Manager of Link Management, working on an online banking campaign.

Career Changers

About a month ago, I started working with Link Management, a promotional marketing firm based in Tampa, Florida. I decided to start working with them after interviewing with two pretty cool gentleman: Remy Mavinga (pictured above) and Adam McSweeney. Remy and Adam are both pretty cool, and I generally have the luxury of working pretty closely with the former.

Our team has been growing pretty quickly. Hopefully, I’ll start doing interviews soon and really start taking my business to the next level.

A reframe of mind

The biggest shift I’ll have to make is first changing the way I present what I do and why, with a greater focus on the timeframes in which everything is done.

The reality of the situation is that I’m a recruiter first and foremost. Yes, I am a Veteran, an Insurance Agent, and a Priest, but all those things are just aspects of my individual character, irrespective of what I actually do.

Arguments over content

Between my team and I, there have been a few arguments over content over the last few days. In my experience, social media is an insanely powerful tool for recruiting, as it gives more insight into our lifestyle. That being said, since I spend so much time in the field and the office, I think there should still be a balance between the following.

1. Product Knowledge
2. Sales Training
3. Careers and Recruiting
4. Social Events

There will be more “sample” content that illustrates what it’s like working with me, with the examples being split between examples specific to the insurance industry, and some specific to our other campaigns. I’ve realized that part of reason there have been arguments is from the fact that I have multiple businesses, meaning there isn’t any one thing I do where everyone in my life directly benefits. Someone might tell me they don’t like my content based upon what they do for a living, not fully understanding that the purpose of my social media is illustrating what I do for a living.

Overall, I’ve done a very poor job at managing my different relationships, which I argue is a side effect of moving to Florida and starting a business roughly around the same time.

Life Insurance vs. Promotional Marketing

The last time I brought up life insurance to a friend they asked specifically about IULs, but since I don’t have much experience with them, I have to spend a bit more time studying product knowledge, balancing personal relationships, my insurance business, and working with promotional marketing firms and explaining how it all ties together.

Life Insurance, as a product or service in my business model, is sold through nominations, referrals, and appointments, meaning I only sell it to people who have the approval of a third party, people whom were referred to by a third party, or people whom have otherwise scheduled an appointment. Essentially, I avoid strangers and cold calling, whenever possible.

The most common beneficiary for life insurance and retirement accounts is overwhelmingly the spouse. The legal, financial, and personal ties often make them a person’s highest priority. Children, Parents, Siblings, Friends, and Charities are common alternatives, and it’s important to preserve or promote these relationships when building an insurance business.

I’m not a huge fan of talking about my personal life so it’s unlikely I’ll talk about my family or friends, but I’ll still stress the importance of those relationships in everything I do.

Promotional Campaigns are a bit different. Unlike working in the Insurance Business, these campaigns don’t require a license prior to selling. These products are sold mostly through impulse and excitement, serving as a way to build a personal relationship, while still having the relationship revolve around a business transaction.

What I’ve learned is that promotional campaigns work best when they combine an energetic personality, in-depth product knowledge, and the appropriate amount of professionalism. The current challenge is getting used to using tracking sheets (something I should have been doing for years), making sure I keep digital and physical copies of everything, and having a consistent online presence that aligns with what I’m doing in person.

In the past, I’ve used social media for bookings and events but lately I’ve been slacking. Part of it has been my personal life but part of it has been an overall lack of direction.

My goal is to start a business that makes $250,000 a year before I turn 40. That gives me a few years to make it happen. For the most part, the strategy is really simple: become a regional consultant working with multiple different promotional marketing firms, and become a Marketing Director in the Insurance Business.

All that means is that I have A LOT of recruiting to do. Naturally, I’ll have to do some sales in order to increase my recruiting budget, but the idea is mostly to focus on increasing the headcount of my organization.