Social Media #5

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 I went from dreading community events to having agents beg me for my system.

Twenty-five years ago, I was that agent awkwardly standing behind a booth hoping someone would talk to me.

Now I teach agents how to become the person everyone wants to chat with at the chamber mixer. The transformation isn't just in your results - it's in how you show up.

Back then, I'd set up my table with brochures and pray someone would wander over.

Sweaty palms. Fake smile.

The whole uncomfortable dance.

Most agents are still doing this...

→ Showing up without a plan
→ Hoping for the best
→ Wondering why community events feel like torture

But here's what changed everything for me:

Community marketing isn't about selling insurance at events. It's about becoming a genuine part of the community fabric.

When you have a real system, everything shifts.

You stop being the insurance guy trying to hand out business cards. You become the person who sponsors the little league team, teaches Insurance 101 at the high school, and actually knows people's names at the grocery store.

That's when the magic happens.

After 25+ years of perfecting this approach, I built Agents in the Community to give other agents what I wish I'd had starting out. A real process for planning, executing, and evaluating community marketing efforts.

Because there's nothing worse than dreading the events that should be growing your business.

Like this if you've ever felt awkward at a networking event & share if you know an agent who needs to see this.

What's your biggest challenge with community marketing? 

 The best agents I know all do this one thing.

In my 25 years working with successful agencies, the ones that really thrive have something in common. They don't just sell insurance in their community - they invest in it strategically.

But here's what I noticed...

None of them learned this approach from any training program.

They figured it out the hard way. Through expensive trial and error.

Car show sponsorships that actually generate leads. School programs that build genuine relationships with families. Community events that create lasting connections, not just brand awareness.

Meanwhile most agents are just throwing money at random community activities and hoping something sticks.

The successful ones?

They have a system.

They know which events align with their target market. They track ROI on every community dollar spent. They plan 12 months ahead instead of scrambling last minute.

After working with hundreds of agencies over the years, I realized this strategic approach to community marketing should be taught... not discovered by accident.

That's exactly why I created Agents in the Community.

Because there's a better way than winging it.

What's been your experience with community events? Worth the investment or just writing checks? 

 From community marketing chaos to a system that actually makes sense.

Remember when you used to sponsor events and cross your fingers hoping something would come from it?

Most agents still do that.

Car shows. Festivals. Little League sponsorships. Just hoping something sticks.

I've been in insurance for over 25 years, worked with hundreds of agencies. Same story everywhere - agents throwing money at community events with zero way to track what's actually working.

Here's what changed everything for the agencies I worked with:

→ Start treating community marketing like any other business investment
→ Track which events actually generate leads (not just "brand awareness")
→ Plan your community calendar around your business goals

Simple stuff.

But most agents never do it.

The ones who do? They stop gambling with their marketing budget and start building a predictable system.

Community marketing becomes their most reliable lead source instead of their biggest expense question mark.

I've seen agents go from spending $10k a year on random sponsorships to investing half that amount strategically... and doubling their community-generated leads.

The difference isn't spending more.

It's having a process.

What's been your biggest community marketing win or lesson learned?

Like and share if you think more agents need to hear this 👍 

 Agents who plan their community marketing investments see 3x better results.

I've tracked dozens of agents over the years - the ones with systems, budgets, and calendars for their community involvement consistently outperform those who just show up and hope.

The difference isn't talent, it's process.

Most agents I know spend money on sponsorships without measuring results. They show up to events without a clear plan for meaningful conversations.

That's expensive hope.

Here's what separates the successful ones:

→ They budget for community events upfront
→ Track which events actually generate leads
→ Follow up systematically after every interaction
→ Choose events that align with their target market

Sounds simple?

It is. But simple doesn't mean easy.

The agents who thrive have turned community marketing into a repeatable system. They know their numbers, track their ROI, and make decisions based on data rather than gut feelings.

Random community involvement feels good but rarely moves the needle.

Strategic community marketing builds real relationships and grows your business.

Your community deserves your best effort... and so does your agency.

What's your approach to community marketing? Like and share if you believe systems beat hope every time 📈 

 The best community marketing happens when nobody knows you're marketing.

Agents keep asking me about ROI on community events, and I tell them they're asking the wrong question. The most profitable community investments I've seen don't look like marketing at all.

Here's what I mean...

The agent sponsoring Little League? He's not tracking leads.

The one teaching Insurance 101 in high schools isn't collecting contact info.

Agency volunteers at the food bank? No branded shirts in sight.

Yet these agents get more referrals than anyone running flashy booth displays.

Why?

People buy from people they trust. Trust gets built when you show up without an agenda.

After 25 years in this business, I've watched agents throw serious money at car shows and festivals. Then wonder why nothing happens.

They're thinking transactions.
Should be thinking relationships.

Real community marketing is a long game. You invest in people first, business follows naturally.

That's exactly why I built Agents in the Community - to help agents create genuine connections that actually matter.

What's your take on community events? Like and share if you believe relationships beat transactions every time.