It might feel hard to attract new Medicare clients when you’re competing with companies that have ads everywhere you look.
Don’t be distracted by the big marketing budgets, you have something more valuable—you. People want advice from someone they trust, not generic marketing. But first you need to connect with Medicare beneficiaries, both in person and online, who would benefit from your help. Check out these five affordable Medicare marketing strategies to level up your lead generation and grow your sales.
1. Develop a Trustworthy Brand
“Building a relationship is about creating trust, and trust is the foundation for all business.”
— Barbara Corcoran
Creating genuine, long-lasting relationships and building trust are essential parts of gaining and retaining clients. Sales growth is built on getting involved in your community, sincerely caring about your clients, and creating and nurturing real relationships. Developing a trustworthy brand in your community and online are key to your Medicare sales strategy. Here are some tips to build trust with prospects:
- Establish yourself as an expert. Your clients want to feel like they’re in good hands. To be a real trusted resource, you need to be an expert in Medicare and Medicare-adjacent plans like Medicaid, Medicare Supplement, veterans benefits and Low-Income Subsidy/Extra Help. Understand plan benefits and your clients’ needs so you can help them find a plan that works for them. Know how to find local services and organizations in your area like food banks, transportation services and housing assistance so you can provide excellent customer service for your clients.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to start out as an expert on the first day. Spend time learning about different programs, reading the latest Medicare news and don’t be afraid to ask other agents for guidance.
- Build your professional reputation: Do interviews with respected publications, radio programs and podcasts. When possible, take a leadership role in your community and join the boards of reputable charity organizations like local food banks, Veterans Service Organizations, cancer charities or senior-focused groups.
- Be compliant. Complying with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and carrier regulations helps protect your clients and reminds them of your professionalism. Make sure you know the latest compliance updates.
- Put your clients’ needs first. Always put what’s best for your clients before the sale. Happy clients will refer you to their friends and families, and trust is built when a client knows you put their needs first.
2. Build Relationships in Your Community
Creating relationships in your community is a great way to build trust and meet new clients. Establish relationships with businesses and organizations in your area, including:
- Chambers of Commerce
- Senior centers
- Recreation centers
- Food banks
- Religious groups
- Large employers (government, private)
- Assisted-living facilities
- Retirement communities
- Primary-care providers
- Specialists (cardiologists, rheumatologists, pulmonologists, etc.)
- Hospitals and acute-care facilities
- Skilled nursing facilities
Remember to build those relationships and provide value to other organizations before you ask for referrals. Remind people that you’re available to help their clients.
Get out into your community. Participate and volunteer at local events, like Farmer’s markets, festivals, parades and community events, or run an event yourself. Give Medicare presentations at senior or community centers to help educate seniors about their healthcare options.
3. Join AgentsMe, a Medicare-agent Directory
According to Statistica, 88% of US adults 65 and older are online. More seniors are using the internet to get healthcare advice, including shopping for plans. For successful healthcare agents, having a strong internet presence is a must. As an agent, being easy to find online is an affordable way to attract Medicare clients.
Joining AgentsMe, a Medicare agent directory, is a great way to enhance your Medicare sales strategy. Here’s why:
- Make it easy for clients to find you. AgentsMe is an online Medicare agent directory that Medicare beneficiaries can use to find licensed Medicare agents in their area. AgentsMe lets consumers search for agents by ratings or insurer type to find one that fits their specific needs. It’s an easy way for Medicare beneficiaries to find a healthcare agent. Boost your online reach and allow clients to come directly to you.
- Enjoy cost-effective Medicare marketing. Joining a Medicare agent directory is one of the most cost-effective strategies for marketing your services. A directory listing offers a low-cost way to reach a targeted audience of Medicare clients. Just like how Zappos allows you to search for the kind of shoe you want, AgentsMe offers a one-stop shop where Medicare beneficiaries can easily find a local agent.
- Enhance your professional profile. Enhance your professional reputation by being listed alongside other trusted agents in the industry. Fill out your full profile, encourage your clients to provide positive reviews to establish yourself as a reliable and professional choice for Medicare clients.
4. Optimize your Social Media and Implement Affordable Medicare Marketing Strategies
Using social media marketing is another affordable way to attract Medicare clients. Here are some tips to get you started:
- Optimize your social media profiles: Join social media platforms that your clients are on, like Facebook and LinkedIn. Use a professional profile picture and fill out your bio with relevant keywords, such as Medicare, health insurance and customer service. Link your professional profiles to your AgentsMe account, in your emails and on your website to ensure they’re available for people to find.
- Share valuable content: Post informative and relevant content that educates your audience about Medicare options and enrollment periods and provide tips for choosing the right plan. Curate relevant information from trusted sources like CMS and other government agencies, reputable news sites and well-known sources like the Commonwealth Fund and the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Infographics, articles and short videos are visually appealing ways to catch people’s attention. Create posts that also show off your personality, including pics of your family, hobbies or volunteer activities. Cute photos of your pets are always welcome on social media.
- Be consistent: Regularly post content to keep your audience engaged. Whether it’s a weekly update or daily tips, consistency helps build your brand and keeps you top of mind for your followers.
- Engage with your audience: Let people know there’s someone behind your social media. Always reply when someone comments on your post. Comment on other people’s posts and cheer them on in their lives.
- Grow your following: Ask your clients, family and friends to like and share your page. Use proper hashtags on your posts to help people find you. Consider spending money on Google or social media ads to help grow your reach.
- Leverage your reviews: Share positive feedback from clients on your Facebook and Google Business Profiles. Testimonials build credibility and help potential clients trust you.
- Promote your events: Let people know about your next grassroots-marketing event or if you’re hosting a seminar. AgentsMe allows you to create and promote events and then share them on social media.
Showing up online, like you show up in your community, can help you connect with existing clients and find new ones.
5. Ask for Referrals
About 92% of consumers trust referrals from people they know over any other source. Your clients could be a gold mine to find new prospects.
But first, you must lay the groundwork. Provide the kind of customer service that your clients will rave about. Once you’ve helped them, let them know you’re always available to help their family and friends. Encourage satisfied clients to leave reviews on your AgentsMe page, your Google Business profile and social media profiles.
Reach out to your existing network. Your neighbors, family, friends, fellow gym goers—you have a huge network right at your fingertips. Remind them of what you do, and ask them to pass along your information to anyone you might be able to help. Make it easy to share your information, hand out business cards and share your info on your socials and in your email signature so they know how to contact you.
Level Up Your Medicare marketing with AgentsMe
Do you want to grow your AEP sales this season? Join AgentsMe, the fastest growing Medicare agent directory, to reach new prospects and improve your lead generation. Claim your profile today to get ahead this AEP.
