Success in today’s online market absolutely depends on your entire Web presence, not just your website. Spreading your online presence as wide as possible helps you reach millions of potential clients you may not be able to reach otherwise. Below are four simple ways beginners can increase their web presence without breaking the bank or their back.

1. Create a Website

Websites don’t have to be expensive and elaborate, they just have to be visible to consumers, provide useful information and generate leads by allowing visitors to contact you for free offers or more information.

There are several option available when creating a website. For the more tech savvy agents, you can build your own (Top 10 Do-It-Yourself Website Builders) and for those who’d rather leave it to the experts, you can check out the below links to get started:

• Insurance Web Designs
• Insurance Broker Webmasters
• Free Insurance Agent Websites

Some companies even offer supplemental marketing material to help draw prospects to a website such as Insurance Help Centers, a company that specializes in lead generating website customization.

2. Use SEO to Increase your Website Ranking

SEO, or Search Engine Optimization,  is the process of adding keywords or phrases throughout your website to help search engine spiders properly rank your webpage in a Google search result. In other words, when someone searches for “Financial Advisors” the webpage results will be ordered by relevance of how well the title, description and keywords of the website match the users web search query.

Still confused? Google offers an extremely helpful and easy to follow Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide as well as basic information about a Google Search and how to increase your webpage rankings.

When using the Google AdWords Keyword Tool, agents are able to insert their webpage URL and Google will create a list of keyword ideas for you to use when adding or modifying content to your web pages.

Once you’ve created and optimized your website you want as many people to visit it as possible!

3. Start a Blog

Blogging is a great way to establish yourself as an expert while increasing your online presence at the same time. Also, by commenting on blogs written by others, it’s a great way to gain practice as well as increase your visibility by linking back to your website, blog or other social media profiles.

Setting up a blog is the easy part (Best Blogging Host Software) , it’s figuring out what to write about that can be the challenging (10 Business Blogging Best Practices).

Once you’ve started your own blog, you can drive people to it by promoting it on your website as well as social media profiles. Don’t have a social media profile? Keep reading to learn how to set one up in minutes!

4. Join Social Networking Sites

Social networking is one of the most powerful social media strategies you can implement. These sites are free and allow you to create a personal profile page to post information about you and your business, invite people to join your network, join groups with people interested in the same topic, blast messages and events, and drive people to your website or blog.

Getting Started

First, determine which social media outlet is best for you. Find out what platforms your prospects use most. Don’t be afraid to create a profile at different sites just so you can browse and check out how it works, who uses it and what other people are posting. Also, don’t underestimate your teenager or grandchild’s ability to help you set up a profile – believe me, they’ll have a full profile created with pictures posted in seconds flat!

For step-by-step instruction on how to set up a profile for various social media sites, click the links below:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• MySpace
• LinkedIn

Throughout my experience as a marketer, I’ve gathered several resources that were extremely helpful when getting started in the social media world.

Social Media Beginner Guides

• Facebook for Beginners
• Social Media Marketing Beginners Guide
• How to Effectively Use Twitter to Build Business Relationships

For additional sales and marketing tips exclusive to insurance agents, visit the new TWG Capital Agent Acceleration Center or follow the TWG Capital Blog.

So, in the spirit of list making, I thought I’d compile my own. Here are my Top 10 Favorite Personal Finance Blogs of 2009 (in no particular order).

Here we go:

10. Fine-Tuned Finances
9. Gather Little by Little
8. Free Money Finance
7. Cash Money Life
6. Get Rich Slowly
5. The Simple Dollar
4. Frugal Dad
3. My Life ROI
2. Man vs. Debt
1. Wise Bread

Enjoy these great money saving tips and strategies. And, if you stumble across a crazy list this season, please feel free to share! Email me at Stephanie_Simmons@TWGCapital.com.

Situation:

Agent X has been selling P&C insurance for 5 years building a strong book of business that has annualized commissions of $60,000.

A successful, self motivated entrepreneur, Agent X is looking to double her market share within 2 years.  She realizes that by acquiring another agency, this would be the quickest way to gain clients without incurring marketing expense.  After evaluating her financial situation, Agent X determines she is ready to purchase an agency. She learns through a colleague that an agency is available for sale within her desired location and price range.

The agency’s annual commissions are $67,000 making it a perfect fit for doubling her market share. The owner of the agency wants to sell the agency for 1.5 times the commissions resulting in a $100,500 price tag.

Problem:

Agent X does not want to go out-of-pocket to acquire the agency. Because of her low credit score and high debt-to-income ratio, she researches many different financing options. Because this is her first time acquiring an agency, she is looking for a company that is also able to educate her about the acquisition process.

After seeing a video featured on CNBC about TWG Capital – a leading financial provider exclusively for the insurance industry since 2000 – she contacts them for a free consultation.

Solution:

Agent X is only willing to use a third of her book of business as collateral in order to get a loan to buy the agency. After providing Agent X a free valuation on that portion, TWG Capital qualifies her for a loan that will net $16,750 at closing – which does not cover the total needed capital of $100,500.

Because Agent X is acquiring an agency with annualized commissions of $67,000, she is able to use the book of business of the agency she’s purchasing as collateral for the loan.  After TWG Capital completed the underwriting and due diligence process, the loan to Agent X increased an extra $83,750, creating a combined loan amount of $100,500 – enough to cover the cost of the agency.

Benefits and Results:

Agent X acquired the agency within 10 days of contacting TWG Capital. Not only was she able to double her market share within 2 years, but she was also able to increase profitability by cross-selling to the newly acquired policy holders. With these new renewals, she is able to comfortably make the debt service payments on her new commercial loan and deduct the interest on her taxes.

Due to the significant increase in her book of business, Agent X was able to leverage herself with her carriers to increase the commission percentage earned and receive additional production bonuses as well.

In summary, Agent X was able to acquire an agency with no out-of-pocket expense and the seller was able to receive a lump sum cash payment in exchange for the business.

Interested in a loan for working capital or to purchase an agency? Click here for a free valuation or email me at Stephanie_Simmons@TWGCapital.com.

Gary knew his clients were holding off on their insurance decisions until they were more certain about the outcome of the recent Health Reform. So instead of sitting and waiting around for things to get better, Gary took matters into his own hands. He started to focus on a new venture called The Benefit Toolbar which Gary explained as a unique revenue generating program for non-profit and profit organizations.

I was a little caught off guard at first when he told me how he’s been able to outlast the downturn. There were no selling tips or strategies, no motivational speeches about working harder and longer to visit more clients, he simply told his referrals he’d give them a call once the economy settles down – and they appreciated his respect for their concerns.

I love using Gary’s story as an example when talking to agents about the different ways they can use the money we give them after purchasing a portion of their renewal commissions. For agents looking to get a taste of something new without completely exiting the industry – this is a great way to maintain their business but still have the money to invest in an entrepreneurship opportunity.

Although I love sharing Gary’s story, it’s best told by him.

Check it out at: http://www.twgcapital.com/GaryTreadwellQA.aspx and let me know what you think! Email me at Stephanie_Simmons@TWGCapital.com.

However, choosing an institution to purchase a book of business may be difficult, due to the unfamiliarity and uniqueness of the service. Once the agent knows what to look for, they can quickly evaluate the competition and determine the most secure and reliable boutique firm that fits their needs.

Below are tips to help find a trustworthy and reputable company to purchase a book of business:

1. Look for boutique firms that allow the agent to continue cross-selling and servicing clients. The agent does not want the firm to essentially become their competitor. The ideal situation is as follows: After the agent sells the commissions, the purchaser receives the redirected renewals, while the agent continues to manage the relationship with their clients and has the freedom to cross-sell other products to them.

2. Ensure the company is in good financial standing before doing business. A company with a history of at least 8 to ten years provides the experience and ability to offer a fair market value for your commission stream.

3. Avoid firms that charge fees for application or book valuation. This puts the agent at risk to pay the company even if the offer is unfavorable and the agent decides not to sell.

4. Choose companies that are able to purchase multi-lines or many different products. This provides a variety of options in order to achieve the greatest amount of capital. Multi-line agents are in an advantageous position because each type of product generates a different factor. They are able to "mix-and-match" certain lines, depending on the products the boutique firms purchase. This allows the agents to customize their portfolio when selling. For example, a firm may pay more for long term care than life policies, due to the persistency of the book.

5. Talk to past clients. Ask around to see who has used the company before or ask the company to provide a few names of clients that can be contacted.

You’ve worked hard to build up a commission stream and deserve to recognize it as a valuable asset. Choosing the right firm to purchase a part of your book or your whole book can be a tough decision. You should feel confident in the boutique firm you are choosing. A good indicator is the account manager with whom you speak.

The account manager you select should be dedicated and direct, guiding you through the process. Once you’ve found the right company, you’ll have a partner for life, providing you with guidance and assistance even after the deal has closed.

What qualities and characteristics do you look for in a company when engaging in business? Email me at Stephanie_Simmons@TWGCapital.com

Not only will agents see an increase in demand for Disability plans, but supplemental products as well. Despite its best intentions, government-run healthcare inevitably restricts access and reduces choice of healthcare options. For those looking to preserve access, quality and choice of care, they will need to purchase supplemental coverage in order to maintain independence. Regardless of the outcome of the current debate, people will start shopping for options now in order to prepare for possible future legislation.

James Wallace, founder of TWG Capital – a leading financial provider focused exclusively on the insurance industry since 2000 – urges Disability agents to ramp up their marketing, staff and products in order to stay competitive in the opportunistic years to come.

“There is such a great opportunity to create and market new bundles of products to the different segments of the Baby Boomer generation,” Wallace says. “With such a wide range of Boomers, Disability and supplemental products insurance providers need to be creative in their development of next generation plans to meet the needs of each segment. The amount of competition to emerge in the market is significant.”

With an increase in new entrants and replacement products as well as the current focus on health insurance and adequate coverage, existing Disability agents need to know where their policies fit in the playing field. Are your clients professional or trade? Own occupation or any occupation? Are the coverages total or partial, temporary or permanent? Knowing the type of customer you are serving will help determine the variety of products you need to offer in order to preserve your policies.

Agents need capital in order to improve their current efforts of serving and retaining clients as well as competing for new business. “Creative financing is key during a credit crunch in order to gain an advantage over competitors,” Wallace says. By selling an older or lower producing block of business, agents can obtain immediate capital needed to fund these efforts without incurring additional debt or risk.

To learn more about obtaining working capital to improve your agency, call 877.894.2785 or visit www.TWGCapital.com.

To request a free, no-obligation offer on your book of business to go www.TWGCapital.com/BuyMyBook.