1. Capitalizing on Social Media
Hello everyone and welcome to our ten minute training on how to capitalize on Social Media.

2. Agenda What is Social Media? Why do I need it?
How do I utilize it to my benefit?
So today we are going to review what exactly social media is, why you may need it for your business, and how you can use it to build your business.

3. But First…. Social Media is new to everyone, including CMS!
Before you create or post anything, check with compliance to ensure you meet compliance guidelines!
I must start with a disclaimer, social media is new to everyone-not just us as agents. And therefore there are various rules and regulations that carriers expect agents to abide by when using social media. Please check with compliance prior to posting. In general, generic content without plan information or Carrier logos or info is ok but it is always best practice to compliance first.

4. What is Social Media?
Dictionary Definition: Websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking.
In reality: Platform that consumers are using for buying decisions, relationships and interacting
Social media can be overwhelming and confusing. What is it even? Social media is defined as websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking. But really what social media is - is the way that many people are building new relationships, finding new businesses and making buying decisions. As you can see from the image here, there are many different types of social media and there are even more than I have listed here. Can you identify each of these icons?

5. What Social Media Do I Need?
That being said, there are only a few social media platforms that would benefit you most as a Licensed Medicare Agent. I should begin by saying I am sure that you can find a way to use any other types of social media, but these are going to be the most frequently used platforms for consumers.
So lets take a look at each. First is going to be Facebook. If you want to do social media, it is likely you already have a personal Facebook page so that makes creating a Facebook page for your business the easiest way to get your toes in the water with social media. To create a business page on Facebook, simply log into your personal account and click on pages. Once you are in pages, you can “create a page”. From here you can update your business page status, photos, and other content such as your website.
Twitter is going to be your next most frequently used platform. Twitter is easy because there are only a few ways you can utilize it. To create a twitter page, you simply go to and create whats called a twitter “handle” which is a another word for your profile name. From here add a photo and you are all set to tweet! Another great thing about Facebook and twitter is once you create a post you can copy and paste it to the other platform or “share” them-two birds with one stone!
Now there are two locally focused sites that you may want to use if you have an office location (brick and mortar) that people can visit or you write other lines of business. Google plus and Yelp both allow you to add photos, give consumers directions to your locations and write reviews about your business. Setting these up is simple, to create a Google plus account you must first have a gmail account,, From there set up a profile with photos and content about your business . If you have a website don’t forget to link it! The biggest difference between these two avenues and the first two we reviewed is these do not require updating status/ or constantly sharing photos

6. Setting Up Social Media
Must have a Gmail account
To create a Gmail account, simply go to Google & click “mail”
Click the Google+ icon in Gmail
Create your page
Add Photos, Website an Business Info
You are all set!
Go to biz.yelp.com
Click create new listing
Create a business log in
Add your business content, website, photos
Allow hours for page to go live
There are a few things to keep in mind when you are utilizing any form of social media. People love fresh information! So you will get the best response when you post new and exciting items or topics! Remember this is a platform for promoting your business so interact with others the way you would in the office or at an appointment,. Nothing posted here should be too personal. For example we don’t recommend posting political, religious or personal views. Ideas for posts could be updates to Open enrollment dates, posting a photo of your most recent flyer or advertisement or maybe even some client testimonials!
Don’t post too often. If you have a facebook or social media already you know why this is important. If you post too often people become annoyed by your posts and will no longer follow you or block you. Studies have shown the best time to update your status to increase engagement is Thursday or Friday. Most recently it has been found that the best time of day to post is between 1pm-3pm. In general, posting between 9am-7pm will be the best time to post your info if youd like a broader range.
Use your social media to find your current clients. Share relevant information and most importantly to network and engage with your community!

7. Posting on Social Media
MUST BE CURRENT!
Too many posts can be counter productive
Interact with other users
Follow Carriers
Re-tweet important info
Use as Networking Tool
BEST TIME TO POST:
Thursday or Friday
Between 1pm-3pm
Most people engaging between 9am-7pm
There are a few things to keep in mind when you are utilizing any form of social media. People love fresh information! So you will get the best response when you post new and exciting items or topics! Remember this is a platform for promoting your business so interact with others the way you would in the office or at an appointment,. Nothing posted here should be too personal. For example we don’t recommend posting political, religious or personal views. Ideas for posts could be updates to Open enrollment dates, posting a photo of your most recent flyer or advertisement or maybe even some client testimonials!
Don’t post too often. If you have a facebook or social media already you know why this is important. If you post too often people become annoyed by your posts and will no longer follow you or block you. Studies have shown the best time to update your status to increase engagement is Thursday or Friday. Most recently it has been found that the best time of day to post is between 1pm-3pm. In general, posting between 9am-7pm will be the best time to post your info if youd like a broader range.
Use your social media to find your current clients. Share relevant information and most importantly to network and engage with your community!

8. Posting on Social Media, Compliantly
There are a few things to keep in mind when you are utilizing any form of social media. People love fresh information! So you will get the best response when you post new and exciting items or topics! Remember this is a platform for promoting your business so interact with others the way you would in the office or at an appointment,. Nothing posted here should be too personal. For example we don’t recommend posting political, religious or personal views. Ideas for posts could be updates to Open enrollment dates, posting a photo of your most recent flyer or advertisement or maybe even some client testimonials!
Don’t post too often. If you have a facebook or social media already you know why this is important. If you post too often people become annoyed by your posts and will no longer follow you or block you. Studies have shown the best time to update your status to increase engagement is Thursday or Friday. Most recently it has been found that the best time of day to post is between 1pm-3pm. In general, posting between 9am-7pm will be the best time to post your info if youd like a broader range.
Use your social media to find your current clients. Share relevant information and most importantly to network and engage with your community!
Medicare Open Enrollment starts Oct. 15. I am a licensed agent and can help ensure you know all your plan options. Call

9. Managing Social Media Great news-you have options!
Schedule calendar reminder daily/weekly to update/respond
Look at mail notifications OR
Have someone else manage it
This may seem like a lot of work but it doesn’t have to be! Once your profiles are created, simply going in and updating your status and checking your content weekly is all you need to do. If you want to be more involved and check your page daily that is great too but we know how busy your life gets, especially during AEP! Some ways to remember to maintain your accounts is to make a reoccurring event on Thursdays for example. This shouldn’t take you more than 15 minutes to update/interact. Another great way to keep track of your page is check for notifications. All of the platforms will send you notifications when other users interact with your page or profile, so if you link these to your that you access daily you can be sure to stay on top of all of your accounts! Another option is deligate this to another member of your staff. Maybe you have a receptionist who is savvy with social media or a co worker that loves to interact online- these people could have the task of maintaining these accounts as well.

10. Questions? marketing@berwickinsurance.com