What is SEO and How does it Work?

What is SEO and How does it Work?

What is SEO and How does it Work?
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SEO stands for “Search Engine Optimization”. Defined by moz.com, SEO is the practice of increasing the quantity and quality of traffic to your website through organic search engine results. With the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, it has become increasingly more important to have an internet presence in any type of sales industry. Insurance agents have been hurt pretty badly, especially in the Medicare industry, due to the matter of which sales appointments have been handled by most states. Up until pretty recently, in-home appointments were unable to be conducted and carried penalties of losing your license should the agent be reported to the department of insurance.

Agents have had to adapt to a new way of life by utilizing online technologies, like online enrollment software and Zoom, to be able to have sales appointments and make sales remotely. So, how does SEO work, and how does it factor in bringing in new leads? I am sure most people have had to utilize search engines such as Google or Bing to find out an answer to a question. Well, what happens when the question is “Medicare agent near me?” The search engine you are using sends out what they call “crawlers” which go out and gather information about all of the content that can be found via the internet. They bring back the information in the form of 1’s and 0’s, (known as machine language) to the search engine to create an index. The index is then put through an algorithm, which is a proprietary computation for solving a problem or accomplishing some end result, that tries to match that data with your search query.

You may be wondering how Pinnacle Financial Services can help you navigate the nuances of SEO and help you gain leads organically. We offer a personalized URL that can be tied directly to you and allow you to enroll clients without ever lifting a finger. The cost of this tool is exactly $0.00 for all of our contracted and ready-to-sell agents. This is just one of the many online tools we offer here at Pinnacle to increase our online visibility in this ever-changing sales climate. The Annual Enrollment Period has technically begun so don’t hesitate and reach out to us right away!

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

1 (800) 772-6881 x7731 | sales@pfsinsurance.com

Rob Valincius

Rob Valincius

National Director of Agent Training

x7701 | rvalincius@pfsinsurance.com

Contact a Pinnacle Representative if you have any questions.

1 (800) 772-6881
support@pfsinsurance.com

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Contact a Pinnacle Financial Service representative today for assistance.

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What is SEO and How does it Work?

The Dos and Don’ts of Digital Marketing

The Dos and Don’ts of Digital Marketing
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Google. Social Media. SEO (Search Engine Optimization). These are just a few of the terms that fall within the “digital marketing” umbrella. What is digital marketing? Investopedia defines digital marketing as “The use of the internet, mobile devices, social media, search engines, and other channels to reach consumers.” The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way salespeople have had to operate their business. Most companies have also adopted technology to allow more sales via the virtual atmosphere as well.

For those of you that have recently begun your marketing transition, especially if you are participating in the Medicare AEP (Annual Election Period) this year, there are some common do’s and don’ts to be cognizant of. Here are a few:

  • Invest in a website: It would shock you to find out that a lot of your competitors, especially in the Medicare sales field, do not have any web presence whatsoever. For years, these agents would go to their in-person sales appointments without ever needing any sort of searchable web persona. These times have come to pass. In today’s day and age, it is very cost-efficient to have a website built for you or for you to even develop it yourself. Find out here how Pinnacle Financial Services can help you create a Medicare compliant website for less than $20!
  • Don’t neglect social media: Social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google Business can be an essential marketing tool for your business. The major benefit of these tools is that they are all free to create and have large potential audiences for you to market to.
  • Do post relevant content: It is important to use your digital marketing to promote relevant information pertaining to your industry. In Medicare? Talk about the upcoming Medicare AEP. Selling life insurance? Post an article on why someone under 30 may need life insurance for their family. Blogs are a great way to post relevant content that is written by you while also utilizing keywords for SEO purposes.
  • Don’t give up: Digital marketing can be daunting for someone who has had to change their entire marketing strategy in a matter of months. The only way to get better is to continue to post content. Don’t be afraid to hire someone to help you if you can take that route. This type of marketing can be a gradual increase and take time to show results. Hang in there!

Pinnacle Financial Services is a national FMO (Field Marketing Organization) that specializes in the senior market. We are committed to helping you grow your business and be a partner in your success. We offer exclusive lead programs, top-notch technology, and the best back-office team in the industry. Don’t hesitate and contact our team today!

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

1 (800) 772-6881 x7731 | sales@pfsinsurance.com

Rob Valincius

Rob Valincius

National Director of Agent Training

x7701 | rvalincius@pfsinsurance.com

Contact a Pinnacle Representative if you have any questions.

1 (800) 772-6881
support@pfsinsurance.com

Contact Us

Contact a Pinnacle Financial Service representative today for assistance.

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Google Business 101

Google Business 101

Google Business 101
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Let me paint a picture for you: You wake up one day and decide that you want to make a lasagna from scratch. The only issue is that you have no idea what you need or how to cook it. You pick up your smartphone or go to your computer, and you Google “Lasagna Recipes.” Well, I can tell you with certainty, your clientele is doing the same thing when they are looking for an insurance agent. This is why it is incredibly important to have a Google Business profile.

So, what is Google Business? It is a free and easy-to-use tool for businesses and organizations to manage their online presence across Google, which includes Search and Maps. This allows you to basically create a free business profile on one of the largest marketing platforms in the world. You are able to put your hours of operation, service areas, contact information, and the different product lines you offer. These are only a few things you can do with your profile. This all plays a part in getting your business out to potential clients via the internet, which is also can have a direct impact on your SEO (Search Engine Optimization). With COVID-19 (Coronavirus) still running rampant across the United States, it is incredibly important to have a digital footprint more than ever.

Pinnacle Financial Services is committed to helping you grow your business during these unprecedented times. As an “FMO (Field Marketing Organization)” or “NMO (National Marketing Organization)”, it is important for us to partner with you in every aspect of the business. Whether it is dedicated training from our national agent trainer (myself), personalized sales and marketing plans with our sales team, or some of the best technology in the business (Connect4Medicare), we have you covered. Our team of dedicated professionals will stop at nothing to help grow your book of business and take your sales to the next level.

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

1 (800) 772-6881 x7731 | sales@pfsinsurance.com

Rob Valincius

Rob Valincius

National Director of Agent Training

x7701 | rvalincius@pfsinsurance.com

Contact a Pinnacle Representative if you have any questions.

1 (800) 772-6881
support@pfsinsurance.com

Contact Us

Contact a Pinnacle Financial Service representative today for assistance.

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2021 Medicare Updates

2021 Medicare Updates

2021 Medicare Updates
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Every year, CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services) makes updates and changes to their rules, regulations, and commissions. Over the past few years, there have been some major changes that have changed how Medicare agents solicit to potential clients. One of the more notable changes was back in 2018 when CMS removed the 48-hour requirement for Scopes of Appointment. For those new into the industry, Scopes of Appointment (SOA) would be required 2 days before you were able to meet with a client about any Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans (MAPD) or stand-alone Prescription Drug Plans (PDP).

This year, we’ve identified some of the changes that will benefit all Medicare agents. Here are a few:

1. Commission Increase: The trend since 2009 has been a steady increase in commissions for all agents. For those of you who sell in PA, CT, DE, CA, and NJ, you will be able to make more than anyone else in the country. For Medicare Advantage, for the whole country, the increase is over 5% for both new and renewal rates. Prescription Drug Plans had close to a 4% increase for the whole country. Here is a breakdown of what this year looks like:

Medicare Advantage PDP
Plan Year National Rate PA, CT, & DC CA & NJ National Rate
2021 $539 $270 $607 $304 $672 $336 $81 $41

2. Referrals: CMS removed the regulations that limited when a marketing representative could solicit referrals and what types of gifts could be provided in exchange for those referrals. This is an incredible change and allows for more flexibility when trying to get more future business from your current book. Keep in mind that nominal value (usually $15) and FWA (Fraud, Waste, and Abuse) laws still apply.

3. Notable changes to marketing events: Advertisements and invitations, in any form of media, that would be utilized to invite a potential client to a marketing (informal/formal) or educational event must include a specific statement. The statement is: “For accommodation of persons with special needs at meetings call <Phone Number and TTY number>.”

4. Educational events: Meals can now be provided to potential clients. In the past, you could only offer light snacks and refreshments. Keep in mind, nominal value still applies ($15) so you would need to factor that into the event planning.

It is extremely important for us here at Pinnacle Financial Services to make sure all our agents are aware of changes that may affect them. Much like the technology industry, Medicare is an ever-evolving mechanism that changes all the time. We would like to be your partner along this journey and help navigate you through any of the challenges you may encounter. We offer top-notch technology (like our proprietary Connect4Medicare platform), personalized sales and marketing training, and back-office support that is the best in the business. Pinnacle Financial Services is not just a typical FMO and will help you have the best AEP (Annual Election Period) possible!

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

1 (800) 772-6881 x7731 | sales@pfsinsurance.com

Rob Valincius

Rob Valincius

National Director of Agent Training

x7701 | rvalincius@pfsinsurance.com

Contact a Pinnacle Representative if you have any questions.

1 (800) 772-6881
support@pfsinsurance.com

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2021 AHIP Tips

2021 AHIP Tips

2021 AHIP Tips
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For those of you who are new to the Medicare market, selling Medicare requires you to take yearly carrier-specific certifications as well as AHIP. AHIP stands for America’s Health Insurance Plans and is a yearly training that is required and universally accepted by 99% of Medicare carriers. The training typically goes live in late June, June 22nd this year, and typically runs a $175 price tag. Although some material is recycled every year, there are always rule changes that alter the material that agents need to know. Here are some tips that I’ve learned as I’ve taken this training over the years.

Tip One

Never take AHIP day 1.

There are a few reasons behind this, but the main reason is you save money by doing the test through a carrier portal. There is typically a $50 discount when you do this. From a technology standpoint, there are always bugs and issues on the first day as they are flooded by agents. Also, carriers like Aetna will offer to pay for your AHIP through their front-runner program if you write a certain amount of business but must be taken through their certification’s portal.

Tip Two

Take your time.

AHIP is comprised of a multitude of modules. There are 5 in total. Each module has a test at the end that is 20 questions (up from 10 in previous years). The 6th module is the actual test that is 50 questions. The test must be passed with a 90% or above which only leaves you 5 questions that you can get incorrect. There is a time limit of 2 hours and they allow you to take it up to 3 times before you need to pay and take the curriculum over again. The test throws a bunch of different concepts at you like cost plans and PFFS plans that you may have never heard of before. Make sure you carefully read each question and answer accordingly.

Tip Three

Not all questions are from source materials.

There are questions on the test, which can range from 10-25% depending on the test you get, that you will not be able to find answers to. In this case, you can utilize Google search and rely on fellow agents to find the appropriate answers.

Tip Four

Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Training

Fraud, Waste, Abuse (FWA) is required to be completed after the AHIP test before you get your AHIP certification completed. This was incorporated about 2 years ago and has 3 modules that must be completed. There are no major tests on these, but each module has its own test that must be passed to move along.

Pinnacle Financial Services is here to guide you through any issues that you may have during the “certification season.” We have years of experience in the office that can prove invaluable when you need help in any aspect of your business. We offer the best technology at no cost, dedicated support staff for anything you may need, and a personalized sales team to make ensure you always have sales activity! AEP (Annual Election Period) is right around the corner and we want to be a partner in your success. What are you waiting for?

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

1 (800) 772-6881 x7731 | sales@pfsinsurance.com

Rob Valincius

Rob Valincius

Director of Agent Training

x7701 | rvalincius@pfsinsurance.com

Contact a Pinnacle Representative if you have any questions.

1 (800) 772-6881
support@pfsinsurance.com

Contact Us

Contact a Pinnacle Financial Service representative today for assistance.

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