The COVID-19 pandemic has long since been over, but it left behind an indelible mark on the way the world does business. Some businesses have resumed in-office operations full time, but far more businesses are run remotely or on a hybrid schedule in 2024. Having experienced the reduced overhead costs, increased worker satisfaction, and no hits to your bottom line, you yourself may be looking for further success tips for your virtual insurance agency.
Make Your Company Easy to Reach
The essentials of customer care are perhaps most important when you need your clients to trust your agency to work on their behalf remotely. Make sure your staff answer phone calls promptly during operating hours and respond to messages and emails within one business day. When done properly, excellent customer care will make it irrelevant that your structure is now hybrid or remote, which must be your continued goal.
Remain Physically Present
You will find that some or all of your clients will want to meet with you and your staff in person instead of (or in addition to) regular virtual meetings. You can rent coworking space, lease a small private office, or agree to travel to clients at their workplaces.
We would advise against operating a strictly virtual office with no wiggle room. Remaining available for in-person appointments as needed will help your clients feel confident that you will be working hard on their behalf whether virtually or not.
Avoid meeting in public spaces like cafes and restaurants. Your clients deserve your full attention and, perhaps more importantly, privacy.
Increase Your Online Outreach
To connect with your clients, acknowledge that they are online as much as your team is. Maintain an agency newsletter and blog and share every article across your agency’s social media platforms. Ideally, you will be able to hire a skilled writer who can use SEO strategies to boost your visibility online; the resulting increase in traffic to your site will be well worth the minor increase in your advertising budget.
Invest in Robust Technology
When the bulk of your interactions with your clients happen virtually, your hardware and software that supports this dynamic must be powerful, reliable, and professional. This is not the place to pinch pennies by opting for free tools or outdated hardware. The money you’re saving on office space should be more than sufficient to cover any upgrades or new subscriptions you require.
Additionally, this is the time to increase your website’s functionality to give your clients access to a portal through which they can purchase additional products, request assistance, and manage their accounts. Let them fill out carrier claims online and make it easy for them to find your agency’s complete directory, including emergency contact information.
The Takeaway
A hybridized or fully remote agency may be the way forward for your company if you are struggling to keep up with overhead costs, want to have access to a larger hiring pool, or desire the freedom to operate your business while traveling. To discuss acquiring a virtual insurance agency, please contact Springtree Group today.