I have never thrown religion into my commentaries. So, I apologize in advance to anyone that might take offense… I trust that you won’t.  But, it struck me that some unique events are happening around this Christmas holiday season. We have been through some trying times. Yes, I know that our war against the corona virus is not over. But, we now have hope as the vaccine is being given to many and millions of new doses are on the way.  I believe that we can all see a light at the end of the tunnel, and we will be able to get back to a “normal life” in the new year.  Is the vaccine our Christmas gift?  I find it interesting that it comes right before Christmas.  What else?

There is a rare planetary alignment, not seen in 800 years, where Jupiter and Saturn will get closer than they have since March 4th, 1226. It sort of reminds me of the biblical star that shone over the manger.  We will be able to see this rare event between December 16th and Christmas Day.  The best time to see this is about one hour after sunset.  And, it will be visible from any place on earth. So, Christmas, the vaccine and this rare planetary event.  I view all of this as a sign of hope and better things to come.  So, whether this is all coincidence or not, it gives me great hope and something to believe in. 

My Holiday wish for you is peace of mind, good health and the best Holiday season that you have had… even though it will be different. Take a moment to look at  the sky and “shoot for the moon” as we enter this new year.  Merry Christmas.

It’s been quite a year… right?  Who could have ever predicted this?  Covid-19, low interest rates and a new way of shopping by the consumer.  But, as they say, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Vaccines will soon be out, and hopefully the majority of Americans will be vaccinated by summer if not earlier. 

But, there has been a lot of road kill.  Insurance companies and some IMO’s are laying off people.  Some insurers are backing down with their pricing.  And, even though we will tame and overcome this virus, the consumer has developed new shopping patterns and that includes our business. 

In the past, many of us would say that “the people I deal with won’t shop for life and annuities online.”  Boy, that is a good one.  Or, how about this one… ”My website doesn’t get me any business.”  Or, “I will not change, If I can’t do it the way I have done it for years, then I will just retire.”  And, my friends, that is what happened to many.  So, what are your plans for 2021?

I am very fortunate, lucky, born under the right star or just could be clean living. The Ohlson Group is having its best year.  Now, let me be very serious.  No, not luck but the best staff in the business lead by my two partner/sons, Nick and Joe Ohlson.  We started working and investing money int he digital annuity lead space well before the virus.  We hired consultants, spent our money, stubbed our toes, and now we have success in providing the most cost effective leads for our agents across the country.  But, because of my time in the business, I know that we must get better or fall behind.  And, that is what we are doing.  It is time to get ready for the greatest opportunities that our industry has ever had.

Okay… look at your website.  Would your prospect be impressed?  How are you getting your prospects?  Cost effective?  Have enough?  Can you get in front of them?  Do you know how to do an effective presentation on ZOOM?  Interested in having a mentor?  And what about a quarterly bonus to pay for your leads?  

​Guys and girls, time to move. Let us build or re-do your website, write the content drip on all of your clients and prospects and have real dialogue with quality marketing guys and girls at The Ohlson Group.  The time to move is now, and we would like you on our team. Call today or schedule a phone meeting. Time marches on… do you?

The buying patterns of consumers were changing long before the pandemic.  COVID-19 has sped up the movement.  First off, what does this buzz word “Omni-Channel Marketing” really mean. Looking up some definitions, I found this one to be most appropriate for the financial services industry:  “The multi-channel sales approach provides the consumer with an integrated shopping experience.  The customer can be shopping on-line from his/her desktop, on a mobile device, via smart phone, telephone or face to face and the experience should be seamless.“ The term multi-channel is an operational term where consumers can complete the transaction in a seamless manner. An example would be completing an application, changing address, beneficiaries etc. The omni-channel is a sales cycle. Let’s explore…

I view omni-channel as a customer experience. They are able to investigate, compare and start to make decisions even prior to speaking to the advisor.  But, we need to provide the information they want and not just what we want to show them. We need to “walk a mile in their shoes” and really immerse ourselves in the consumers thought process.  We’ve all heard the phrase that “content is king,” and that is really true in this type of marketing approach.  The content we provide the consumer must be helpful and not just hype.  And, it needs to be delivered on a regular and timely basis.  The content needs to provide the consumer with potential solutions to the concerns that are keeping them up at night.  How do we deliver?  Let’s look.

This content needs to be accessible via desktop, laptops, personal devices such as a tablet and also via mobile phone.  Your CRM can provide you with a wealth of information that will allow you to target messages and offers to those that are more likely to be interested.  And, we need to “get personal” and provide info that is timely and helpful.  We have been very successful in providing consumer leads via this process… and we are still experimenting with other approaches.  We write the content and provide the advisor with a top notch website with great content. Now, we don’t have all the answers- far from it.  But we continue to work on new options.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this new world is providing the advisor with new opportunities in the acquisition of new clients.  You just have to get started, and baby steps are fine.  No, do not stop what you are doing but please know that the change is happening.  There will not be a time, in my opinion, when most consumers choose to finish their sales process with a quality financial professional. So, start the year and experiment.  Talk to one of our marketing consultants and they will provide you with real life success stories.  Then, if you haven’t already, you will find out why agents continue to refer to us as… a different experience.

Until next time… good selling!