An article I read in Daniel Burrus’s recent TechoTrends newsletter (http://www.burrus.com/eTFN/2010/eTFNa4-10.pdf) made me think about the concept of product/service de-commoditization as it may relate to the typical insurance agency. An age-old sales phrase came to mind: “Sell the sizzle not the steak“.
This quote, from an unknown source, points to the understanding of human nature that successful salespeople develop. Steak is steak. But, how you package that steak is what makes it sell. It’s the sizzle. The sizzle, where the steak metaphor is concerned, may include the atmosphere of the restaurant, the statements regarding aging of the beef, or the other accouterment associated with the dining experience. What constitutes “sizzle” in a typical insurance agency experience?
Sometimes we get too busy to “sell the sizzle” with our agency clients on a daily basis.
For example, our staff members efficiently provide price quotes, but do they make a conscious effort to take a few moments to state that “included in this premium quote are discounts in the amount of % for [fill in the blank]”? During marketing sessions I facilitate, I often reference some of the direct writer commercials I see on television. For example, one particular company’s ad touts the auto-home discount like it’s something totally new to the industry. They’re selling the sizzle, which causes others viewing the ad to wonder “do I have that discount on my insurance policy?”
We need to learn to sell the sizzle, at some level, during every “conversation” our agency has with our clients. Take the few extra moments to remind them of “what’s included” when they do business with “us” – the independent agency; “us” – the [your agency name here] Insurance Agency. These conversations may take place on the phone, via email, as the result of the client visiting our website, or via social media.
Talk about this concept at your next agency / department staff meeting. What sort of services does your agency provide that clients should routinely be reminded of? What are the policy features that your agency has available that translate into benefits to your clients? How can your agency routinely “sell the sizzle” during client conversations?
It does take time to “sell the sizzle”. I’ve a summary comparison proposal forever, and for every quote in years past. With increase in busyness, I’m forced to use it more exclusively. It definitely influences the success ratio of my sales, as summarizes all the “sizzle” points of proposed replacement program.