World-class athletes know that quality coaching can be game-changing. Coaching isn’t just for sports, however. Disability insurance agents can also benefit from one-on-one coaching. If you need a little help achieving your sales goals, or if you know someone else who does, this is an opportunity you don’t want to overlook.
Independent Agents and Advisors Can Still Use a Team
In the world of athletics, there are team sports and individual sports. As an independent sale agent and financial advisor, you may feel like you’re playing an individual sport.
However, this doesn’t mean that you always have to be on your own. Consider Simone Biles. She won three gold medals and one silver medal at the 2024 Olympics. She was also part of the U.S. women’s gymnastics team, and she’s had the support of top-caliber coaches throughout her career.
Everyone can benefit from someone to cheer them on from time to time. Likewise, everyone can benefit from some quality coaching. This is especially true if your new to the disability insurance space, or even if you’re experienced with life insurance, but only sell income protection every once in a while.
What Is Sales Coaching?
Call it coaching or call it mentoring – the basic idea is the same. A sales coach or mentor is an experienced agent who can provide guidance and insights – as well as a few tricks of the trade – to help you achieve your full sales potential. You’re still calling the shots (and earning the commissions), but the coach is there to support you when and how you need it.
DIS sales coaches provide as little or as much help as you’d like – we’re happy co-sell with you so you can observe. We’re also happy to stand by, just in case difficult questions arise while you’re selling.
How Could Coaching Help You?
If you’ve ever wondered how top-performing agents got there, coaching could be exactly what you need. Even if you’re doing well on your own, you may be able to level up your game by applying an outside perspective.
The beauty of coaching is that it can adapt to your individual needs. Here are some ideas of what you could learn:
1. How to identify target markets.
Focusing on the wrong markets can lead to wasted time and frustration. No matter how good your sales pitch is, if your audience already has coverage or can’t afford coverage, you’re not going to get very far. A mentor can help you identify markets that are worth your time and effort.
2. How to overcome common barriers to sales.
While every agent would love a 100% success rate, that simply isn’t realistic. Some sales will fall through, often through no fault of your own. However, if you’re losing a lot of sales – and especially if you’re losing them to the same objections – a change in your strategy could be all that’s needed to improve your sales rate. A mentor can help you uncover the barriers that are holding you back and figure out how to overcome them.
3. How to leverage your personal strengths and overcome weaknesses.
If you’ve ever prepped for a job interview, you’ve probably spent some time thinking about your strengths and weaknesses – but do you really have a clear idea of where you excel and where you falter? It can be hard for anyone to conduct an honest assessment of themselves. However, having an accurate view of yourself is critical if you’re going to lean into your strengths and compensate for your weaknesses, and that’s the key to finding success.
A mentor can help by providing an outside perspective. In addition to conducting an assessment, a mentor can ask fact-finding questions to zero in on what really matters.
4. How to sell with confidence.
It can seem counterintuitive, but a mentor can be the key to succeeding on your own. Yes, the mentor will help guide you at first. However, the whole point is that you’ll be learning how to sell DI on your own. You’ll gain the skills, insights and confidence you need to feel confident answering disability insurance questions, so eventually, you no longer need a mentor.
Are You Ready to Reach Your Full Potential?
DIS provides FREE co-selling and coaching support through each of our offices throughout the nation. That’s right – our services are available at no cost to you with no commission split! If you want to up your game and increase your closing ratios, contact us. And, if you know any new agents, tell them about this service.
