Marketing is one of your most significant expenses as an independent Medicare agent, but you don’t have to break the bank to get your name out there. We’ve put together a list of 6 totally free marketing methods for agents. The best part? You can start using most of these right now!
1. Start a Facebook Page for Your Business
With 46% of Americans over 65 signed up, Facebook is the most used social network among seniors. Older Americans are also the fastest-growing demographic on the platform.
In other words, Facebook gives you a direct line to seniors in your area, in the very place online where they’re most likely to be.
You can find more information about setting up a Facebook page on our blog, but the important thing to know is that seniors use Facebook differently. They are more likely to spend their time directly on user profiles and Facebook group pages. This means less time spent browsing their feeds on the main page, which equals a lower chance of seeing ads.
Rather than spending your marketing dollars on ads that are unlikely to be seen, focus on participating in local groups and sharing content that appeals to a broader spectrum of followers. Check out the Facebook Content Dashboard from InsuranceSplash to find daily sharable content suggestions.
2. Create a Google My Business Website
While many free website options exist, Google offers the fastest, most straightforward setup when you just need the basics.
The interface is extremely easy to use, offering a choice of basic themes and options. Here’s a peek:
More importantly, a Google My Business website helps you get indexed in Google. Once you’ve input your business address and other relevant information, your Google site will show up in local searches for Medicare agents.
With just an hour of setup, you can establish a professional online presence for your business at zero cost. You can get started here.
Get more details on Google My Business and other website options in Free Website for Medicare Agents.
3. Ask for Referrals
It only takes a few seconds to ask for a referral, and it costs nothing. More than that, referrals offer the most potent lead generation around in terms of conversions.
A 2019 study looked into conversion rates for the most common types of lead generation. Here’s what they found:
- Verbal referrals — 32% conversion rate.
- Lead forms — 19% conversion rate.
- Email — 17% conversion rate.
- Print cards — 12% conversion rate.
- Shareable URL — 4% conversion rate.
As you can see, referrals are one of the most powerful tools in your marketing arsenal, and asking for them doesn’t cost a cent.
For a guide to why, who, when, and how to ask for referrals, check out Get More Referrals and Grow Your Business.
4. Volunteer
Giving back to your community is the right thing to do, and the bonus is that your volunteer activities can result in leads.
Make yourself an available resource at senior centers, soup kitchens, or other places where you may find Medicare beneficiaries. Offer to answer questions and educate people on Medicare.
Don’t be pushy, and don’t go into volunteering with a sales mindset. Get to know people, build a rapport, and once word gets out that you sell Medicare, you’ll be a go-to source.
Earlier this year, NCC began sharing volunteer opportunities for agents on our blog each quarter. You can see current opportunities here. Be sure to check back as we add new ways to give back to seniors.
If you’re selling D-SNPs, volunteering can also help you get in touch with those eligible for Medicare Savings Programs. Download NCC’s Guide to Selling D-SNPs for more details.
5. Market Over Email
You may assume email marketing always has an associated cost, but that’s not necessarily the case. Most Medicare agents can work within the bounds of a free service quite well.
You’ll find many options out there for free email marketing, but we’re going to focus on one popular service: MailChimp.
MailChimp is well known as one of the most accessible email marketing platforms around. They also offer a free option that allows you to send emails to up to 2,000 contacts.
You’ll also get access to built-in lead capture forms, analytics, and a large selection of templates. You can’t get more for your money anywhere else, especially when the money is $0.
Compliance Tip
CMS legally requires you to allow recipients to opt out of receiving emails. MailChimp’s templates will generally include this link in either the header or footer of the message. Make sure it is included in the template you use and that you don’t delete it while customizing your email.
6. Host a Seminar or Webinar
In the same way that volunteering offers you a chance to educate Medicare recipients in your community, hosting a Medicare seminar or webinar will establish you as a local authority.
Full disclosure: You may see some cost when hosting an in-person seminar, especially if you provide snacks or printed literature for attendees. However, taking your Medicare education events online can be a no-cost option with the right technology choices.
NCC’s Medicare Seminar Guide gives full details on running educational events compliantly and contains more than 25 suggestions for seminar and webinar topics. In our most recent update we also added guidance for online events.
More Ways to Market Medicare for Free
These are just some of the options for Medicare agents seeking no-cost marketing solutions. For more suggestions, check out 30 Ways to Generate Local Medicare Leads.
If you’re contracted with NCC, you can also offset your costs through our Marketing Assistance Program, which lets you earn flexible marketing dollars while you sell.
Give us a call at 800-695-0280 to talk to an NCC Marketing Specialist about these and other no-cost marketing options.
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