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Join us at NAIFA's Apex Sales Summit the week of August 15 for "The Digital Crossroads: FinTech, Your Business & Your Life."

In this Apex-exclusive Learning Lab, you'll learn how FinTech is changing the way agents and advisors do business and how it will shape the future of the insurance and financial services industry.

Live virtual webinars are becoming more and more popular for businesses of all sizes. The COVID-19 pandemic made doing business online a necessity, but webinars have proven to be incredibly effective, even as more businesses return to in-person meetings.

Now, webinars play an integral role in the growth and success of companies. They cost-effectively provide a platform for important discussions and help build and maintain relationships critical to a business's success.

How can you make sure that your webinar goes smoothly? Read on for tips on hosting and participating in a live virtual webinar.

It takes a lot of hard work to build a successful insurance agency or financial planning practice. But it's not just about putting in the hours—you also need to have the right team in place. A dynamic, productive, and effective team can make all the difference in achieving your business goals.

Did you know that filling a position can take up to 42 days? According to the Society for Human Resource Management, the average cost per hire is $4,129. Finding and hiring qualified employees can also be a daunting task. According to recent studies, 59% of employers say finding qualified candidates for their open positions is challenging.

Live webinars are ideal for forging connections directly with your audience using interactive Q&A sessions. On the other hand, pre-recorded videos are excellent for educational or instructional videos that you can refer your audience to whenever they need them. You can use pre-recorded video to explain procedures that your audience should follow or address frequently encountered concerns. Because you have the luxury of being able to plan out the video ahead of time, you also have the opportunity to focus on its production and ensure that it is clean and professional. Read on for tips on creating professional pre-recorded video content.

The most successful entrepreneurs often have a few common traits. Whether you are an insurance agent, financial adviser, or any other type of solo business owner, use these tips to succeed.

Planning for the Future

Start with a solid business plan. Include funding sources such as loans, marketing and advertising ideas, client acquisition, and financial projections for expenses and profit. A business plan is just a start. Once you're in business, continue making plans and keeping track of progress. Where do you see yourself and your business in five years? Make a detailed plan for getting there!

When growing your business, connecting with as many people as possible is essential. That means not just writing blog posts and social media posts but also using video to appeal to a broader audience. Start creating engaging video content with these tips.

Podcasts are becoming increasingly popular in the marketing and sales world. If you're looking to increase your revenue and identify opportunities, listening to a podcast is a great place to start. Here are  4 different ideas and strategies to generate more leads using a podcast.

As an insurance agent, getting in front of people to deliver your message can be one of your most challenging tasks. For agents looking to attract new clients in today’s market, expertise is everything. Seminars establish your expertise and can put you in front of a large group of people in a single setting. This type of marketing is one of the most cost-effective and time-saving ways to grow your business.

These days, people are living longer which, of course, is a good thing. But it also means retirees’ savings must stretch further to last throughout retirement. Throw in the recent surge in inflation, rising long-term care costs, and the unfortunate reality that many retirees are not financially prepared for retirement, and we have the makings of a retirement crisis ahead. 

On the bright side for older-adult homeowners, housing wealth has been on the rise. According to the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA), U.S. homeowners aged 62+ saw their home equity soar to a record $10 trillion in 2021. It can be prudent for homeowners and their advisors to discuss ways to incorporate housing wealth into retirement planning decisions. 

We're pleased to congratulate loyal NAIFA member Cheryl Canzanella, CLU, ChSNC, LUTCF, on her new position with NAIFA partner Fairway Independent Mortgage. Cheryl will take over the role of HECM Business Development Manager - Retirement Solutions.

Since joining NAIFA in 2010, Cheryl has been active in the NAIFA community. She is a Past President of NAIFA-Northeast Florida and has served in leadership positions at the local, state, and national levels. She is also a recipient of NAIFA-FL's President’s award. In 2019, she was recognized as NAIFA’s Young Advisor Team Leader of the Year. Cheryl is also a Founding Past President of Women in Insurance & Financial Services (WIFS) Northeast Florida.