I would love to say that the dust has settled and we all have the all clear from COVID-19.  Yes, we are seeing great improvements in many states, and the young do not appear to get as sick and their death rates are very low.  States are opening up very cautiously.  But, all that our clients and prospects have to do is turn on the TV or get on Facebook and they can get scared to death.  They also are witnessing a very volatile equity market.  They are also trying to figure out how the upcoming election will affect their portfolios, income and taxes.  Bottom line, they need a review of their current situation, appraise the risk and either stay put or make some changes.  

We need to reach out and talk… and visit with them one way or another.  And, it will not be the same as it was in January.  Changes are here, will stay for a while and we have to… deal with it.  Let’s explore what we can do.

First off, make the phone call to clients, get a feel for what they are thinking, review their situation, make suggestions if applicable and make a presentation. The first presentation may be using ZOOM or something comparable.  Use the easiest tool for them to navigate.  Also, I would send them some info in advance just in case technology gets in the way of your review and recommendations. Now, here comes another step that will need some preparation from you. Please read on…

You know, as a member of the Safe Money Places Agent Network (safemoneyplaces.com), we want to keep everyone safe.  Below are some tips I've gathered from the agents successfully navigating today's market.
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• I would suggest, if they feel comfortable, a face to face meeting.  
• This would, of course, be dependent on the spread of virus and state laws in your locale.  
• I would, in a letter prior to making this request, inform your clients or prospects the safety measures that you employ.  
• I would suggest a letter, prior to going to their home, advising them that you would want to social distance.  
• If the weather is still warm, go for a patio, screened porch or deck.  
• Let them know that you will be wearing a mask and that you will bring a new mask for them.  Let them know that you will also be bringing hand sanitizers.  
• I would also go as far to say that you will, with the wipes you bring, clean up after yourself.  Ask them to use their own pens.  
• I would also wrap their proposals and recommendations in plastic and clean the plastic prior to handing to them.  
• Also, let them know that you will also wear new plastic gloves.  
• This, of course, could also be done in your office is everyone feels comfortable.
  
• The most important thing is to make them feel safe.

Guys and Girls, this is a new normal for now.  Things will loosen up after a vaccine.  But, their portfolios and your income can’t wait.  If you can do all of this virtually… congrats.  We have many advisors and agents doing just that.  We have many doing the “hybrid” approach.  Bottom line, we have what they need, they have a need and we also have a responsibility to our clients.  

We are here to help you.  Give us a call at 1-877-844-0900 to find out how many of our agents are still making great progress.  No, this isn’t perfect but the world has changed.  And, virtually selling will not go away.  I guess we have to… “deal with it.”  

I don’t know about you, but usually if I bring an umbrella with me, it doesn’t rain.  But if I leave it in the car, I get soaked. I guess that is why I always have one in my bag.  It gives me that sense of security and safety.  I know that the weather, like the financial markets, can change at any time without warning.  So, I believe in the old saying… “better safe than sorry.”  Well, that is what we offer up in our business isn’t it? 

We, through annuities and life insurance, make sure that whatever cloud burst that might appear in the financial markets, our clients are safe and secure with our products.  An income that we can’t outlive, protection of principal and previous gains, and a very good chance at outpacing other “Safe Money Products.”  Ah yes, the annuity, a product that has been around for ages and yet so still misunderstood by many.  That is where you and The Ohlson Group come into play.  We have the white papers, the explanation of annuities and what they can do. The best part? They can be placed on your website! Give us a call at 1-877-844-0900 and we will explain.

Let’s take a minute and speak of the “BIG” umbrella… life insurance.  A piece of paper and a drop of ink and we create an instant estate that has benefits paid to the beneficiary tax free with solid growth of cash value.  You are, as has been said, selling pennies on the dollar.  The product allows one to recover lost legacies with the death benefit. And, with most policies today, these can be purchased without an exam. 

Now, let me toot the Safemoneyplaces.com site and the Safe Money Network's horn. We have white papers to explain all the different types of coverage and how they work.  Yes, we can place these on your site and send content each and every month to your clients and prospects.  And, if you are a member of the network, we will build and maintain your site.

Annuity business is up, life sales are up, the amount of money that we pay in quarterly agent bonuses are up and we are producing webinars to assist you in many ways. There is so much more to talk about. If you're not doing business with The Ohlson Group today, give us a call at 1-877-844-0900 and find out why agents from coast to coast continue to refer to us as… a different experience.  

Americans are buying annuities and life insurance.  Financial pros are finding ways to use technology to make virtual presentations.  But, hold on for this one... agents and advisors are using the telephone.  Can you believe it?  Yes, they are picking up the phone, calling existing clients, and also calling prospects where conversations were cut short due to COVID-19.  And, it is working.  You see, agents are checking in to see how their clients are doing.  They are also asking them about their fears and goals.  They are also taking the opportunity to speak with them about volatility.  You know... big market meltdowns and big recoveries.  They are asking their opinions about their risk tolerance and more.

I read a lot, and it is easy to see that one of the biggest concerns of pre and current retirees is a guaranteed income.  Of course, they are concerned about their health.  As they should be.  But, they are ready to get on with their lives in a careful way.  Boomers, and I am one of them, are not ready to give up on life.  No, we are not being foolish.  We follow the rules, but are now getting on with our lives.  And, believe me (and if you are around my age you know what I am talking about) we want to have a great rest of our lives, have an income that we can't outlive, are ready to take some risk off the table and would love to leave a legacy to our kids. 

In my humble opinion, this is no time for some new hot concept or idea.  This is a time to get back to basics.  Pick up the phone and have a conversation.  Ask them where it hurts and see if you can alleviate or reduce financial pain.  I love Safe Money type products and so do your clients and prospects. 

So, what are you going to do now?  Are you going to wait around and hope for "the good old days?”  What if these ARE "the good old days?"  We are here to help, have the tools and the skills to help you ramp up your game. Give us a call at 1-877-844-0900