Hiring for your independent insurance agency may seem like a priority, but when you first start, the only employee you need is you! Being able to wear many hats and run your agency by yourself is one of the toughest parts of being independent. However, in the name of efficiency and keeping down operating costs, the best thing you can do is be the boss, the producer, the office administrator, and the person who runs out for coffee.
The good news is that you should be more than capable of running an agency by yourself and handling all the clients and accounts, at least for the first six months or so. Once you start to exceed about $70,000 a month in revenue, you’ll want to start looking for talented employees to join your team.
While it’s not essential to hire staff right away, we do recommend that you outsource a few essential items: taxes, accounting, and marketing. These are essential to your business success and growth, but it is much more cost-effective and efficient to outsource rather than to hire.
Essential staff for your independent insurance agency
When you have the support of AAI to help you succeed, you’ll grow bigger, faster, more efficiently, so let’s look ahead to the day when you need to hire more staff because that day will come. Maybe sooner than you anticipate and it's good to be prepared. These are the first two positions you’ll need to fill.
Insurance Agent (Producer)
As your agency expands, you’ll need to start hiring more producers to help you manage your clients and bring in new business. Find people that understand your goals and can be an extension of your brand. They should also be great salespeople and understand the industry and the type of insurance that you sell.
Office Administrator
It’s a good idea to hire an office administrator or receptionist to take on the general office work. The office administrator takes care of filing, faxing, answering phone calls with general inquiries, taking messages, and welcoming clients when they arrive.
Find someone who is not only capable but will also represent your agency and your brand well. They will often be the first person clients interact with, so they need to have the personality and the qualities that you think will add value to your agency and reputation.
By joining Affordable American Insurance, you get a roadmap to success. Before you know it, you’ll be ready to hire more staff and grow your agency. We are here for you every step of the way. Contact us to find out more.