Being Creative

1 You know if you’re not screwing up then you’re not doing anything. Not even sure that statement applies to this article. But it sure has stuck with me through all my mistakes. Guess credit is due. Thanks Dad.

2 Think I was in my early thirties if I remember correctly. Got the idea to join the largest MLM business in the world, the Insurance Industry selling life insurance. Why life insurance a guy asked me once. I don’t know guess I like the challenge of selling something that you have to die to collect.

3 It took me three tries to pass the state licensing exam. I think that they just finally felt sorry for me and gave a passing grade. It became evident I was not to be denied. Presents prevailed once again.

4 Went to work for New York Life, and had my own desk. Bought a really cool paper weight and felt like I had landed the big fish.

5 Excuse me? Have you ever tried to sell life insurance? Well I failed with New York Life in record fashion.

6 I think it was around 1:30am one night after my face planting with NYL that I was watching a tear drop down my nose and drip into my beer. The drop made ripples that parted the suds and added a salty taste to the next swig. I was a bit pissed at myself and feeling sorry for being me. Well that last about 10 mins.

7 I had a license to sell insurance I said as I look in the mirror over the thrown. And by God that’s what I’m going to do. One quick flush and I grabbed the newspaper as I washed my hands and headed towards my car. Clearing a spot next to me I threw the newspaper on the front seat.  That’s when it caught my eye.

8 The Independent Order of Foresters. Huh? What? I was thinking tree cutters or woodsman of some kind. I began to read the advertisement. They sell life insurance. Now this really had me interested. I envisioned a group of Paul Bunyon’s ready to sign up loggers.

9 It turns out IOF was indeed a benevolent organization much like the Moose and Elks clubs. Hmm, an interesting twist, IOF had retirement villages and family functions plus a variety of free benefits if you would buy their life insurance. My mind starting working around this idea. The Elks, my Dad was an Elk they had to qualify and become a member. Then it hit me. Become a member. Most everyone wants to be a part of something they have to qualify for. It makes us feel important.

10 So I started mailing invitations to people out of the phone book. Telling them I had referred them for membership and to contact me for qualifications. Well it actually worked the phone started ringing. This of course was before cell phones. The world was not in as big a hurry back then.

11 I would show up and show a movie about the Independent Order of Foresters on a monster machine called a Dukane, and cover the benefits of membership. And like magic they would join. As I was leaving I would mention. “Oh, by the way I forgot to tell you, with your membership you now have 50,000 worth of life insurance.” I got to tell you, the smiles that would come on their faces was rewarding. To actually make them feel so comfortable with such an uncomfortable subject. I did Well with The Independent Order of Foresters set some records in sales and ended up with a bunch of trophies. Woo Hoo! But still, not satisfied. I am an Entrepreneur you see and the IOF was not my company. So I moved on.

12 So my point is being creative with the approach you make take to your market can make a big difference in your results. Again I will mention, when you give others what they need they in turn give you what you need. Yeah, I know, it sounds a bit corny and maybe even too simple. Just think about it ok?

You see people want to feel important; they want to basically be loved.

Regards, Rick Shoop