AEP is just around the corner; this is your time to prepare. For some of you, in the past, this looked like securing your Walmart Medicare AEP locations to utilize the HBH Walmart Program, letting your clients know where to find you and when. Unfortunately, this year Walmart will no longer be an option. While that can feel intimidating, and you may ask yourself where to focus, we will discuss what you should be doing to prepare and some alternative options.
Marketing Yourself as a Medicare Agent
Marketing yourself is always the number one priority. When branding yourself as a local agent, Medicare educator, or something else, you must get your name and message out there in the most efficient way possible. For some, this starts with their digital presence. To prepare for AEP, some steps you can take to get started would be:
- Updating or building your website
- Regular posting and communications on your Facebook page
- Optimizing your Google Business profile for accurate information
- Posting in local groups on Facebook
- Connecting with local businesses on LinkedIn
- Running paid ads on Facebook
For those who want to focus on more “boots on the ground” marketing, try bringing some of these activities into your daily marketing tasks:
- Bring gift baskets to local businesses working with seniors and introduce yourself as a resource. Discuss swapping referrals.
- Get booths at local events and be a resource for seniors to ask questions.
- Host Medicare educational seminars.
- Join your chamber and see what networking resources they have.
- Ask your current clients for referrals and send thank you notes when they do!
- Add your upcoming event details or new location set up to your email signature so you’re always advertising yourself.
- Ask local businesses about leaving a locked dropbox with an “Ask Me About Medicare” sign or some sort of branded material for people to drop their contact information in.
Walmart Medicare Marketing Alternatives
If you are an agent who has heavily relied on Walmart during AEP to build your business, don’t panic. There are other options and more ways to grow your book than just Walmart! Here are some places you can contact in your community and partner with to set up a regular booth during AEP.
- Smaller, locally owned retail stores
- Libraries (focus on education here)
- Miscellaneous venue spaces with educational or sales events
- Set up booths at Foodbanks, Laundromats, Senior Centers, etc.
- Other retail opportunities, such as working directly with broker managers to get into Walgreens, CVS, etc.
Training Your Medicare Clients: Make Sure Your Repeat Business Can Find You
For long-standing Walmart workers, you may have trained your clients to meet you at your local Walmart each year. Now is the time to get ahead of the game for client outreach. You have plenty of notice to contact your current book and let them know you will be reaching out to review their coverages personally, be at a different location, or encourage them to meet you at one of your upcoming events. Ways to prepare for the change as we get closer to AEP:
- Send out your client retention letters now. Be sure to tell your current book where you will be this year or remind them how to reach you.
- Email your book. When it comes to getting important information out, multiple touchpoints are essential.
- Hire an admin to contact your clients that always stop by Walmart to see you and give them a courtesy call with the new plan.
Let NCC Help
No matter what you decide to do, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. When it comes to building your business, make sure you are focusing on multiple avenues of growth and taking care of your current book. If you feel stuck or have questions about navigating this change, that’s what we are here for. Reach out to your Sales Support Specialist today.
