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Social networking is a new phenomenon created with the advancement of internet technology. Millions of new users visit social networks each year, social networking becomes a force to be reckoned with.

The powerful social networking has changed the way we do many things. The sooner you get acquainted with it, the better you understand how to leverage it to bring your business to the next level.

The utilization of social networking offers unique possibilities for insurance agents to:

(a) Make marketing a 24/7 activity

Extended marketing hours allow you to be more productive and connect you with your insurance prospect whom you may not be able to reach during normal working hours.

(b) Select your markets

Different social networks attract users of certain background. For example, LinkedIn is where professionals share views online. If you are targeting at business owners, there are blog social networks for such community.

Your network is something you build over time and it's extremely valuable. Social network helps you warm up your prospects. Most people prefer to do business with someone they know or trust.

(d) Build Meaningful Relationships

Social network is also a platform for you to build and grow valuable relationship. With increased interaction, you gain people's trust and they would believe that you genuinely want to help and benefit them

(e) Shorten sales process

Before meeting prospects, do some fact-find to understand their situation. Engage them in the solution formulation process. When you meet, they are more ready to commit to a purchase decision.

(f) Establish personal branding

Personal branding is to make people remember something unique about you. One way to achieve this through social network is to give people high quality advice and update. In return they give you trust and respect.

(g) Increased visibility

By contributing useful contents and interacting with people, you will increase your visibility and credibility. When people see the need to solve a problem, they would go for someone whom they are familiar.

(h) Market pulse

Some people find social network a better channel to express their opinions. When chatting with your social networking pals, you keep your finger on the market pulse and know what people want in general.

While networking is the new thing everyone talks about, you need a plan of action for it to work successfully. Your determination and time commitment to build contacts is also required.

Although social networks can drive new sales opportunities into your sales pipeline, a word of caution though, social networking is not about selling, at least at the beginning.

Imagine if a guy breaks into a party and starts selling, how interested are you in what he has to sell? Social network is for you to establish relationship with people, an incubator for you to turn cool contacts to hot contacts.