When it comes to selling insurance and financial products, few things are more valuable than good leads. In the mortgage business, brokers will often pay upwards of $200 for a lead to someone with demonstrated interest in taking out home equity, refinancing, or taking a mortgage. With commissions pushing well into five figures, a conversion of only 1% still leads to returns on the investment in leads of well over 100%. Since insurance policies and annuities often carry principle on par with mortgages and commissions that match, leads can often generate even higher returns for those products because leads tend be less expensive and in some cases can be free. Solid annuity sales leads are therefore a very high value proposition.

Every salesperson knows that networking is tantamount to free leads. But allying yourself with a reputable broker or a reputable underwriter of policies gives you a real advantage over your competition. Underwriters and brokers have amassed large marketing campaigns aimed at acquiring the vital leads their affiliates need in order to sell their product. Agencies that target higher net worth individuals in particular, who generate more of their money from underwriting than from the leads they sell to outsiders, will provide the most useful leads and are the most desirable ally for anyone looking to make real money selling proven products to individuals who want to grow their wealth and manage their portfolio risk by guaranteeing themselves income in retirement or income to their heirs. Agencies who are able to leverage their clients’ investments on top of that will create much higher principle amounts that will translate into a higher value product for their clients sold at a lower margin and a higher commission for the broker selling it, allowing them to take market share not only because of their highly motivated sales force but also because of their reputation for providing a great, value-added product.

Teaming up with the right company is just as (if not more) important than any cold-calling skills. Brand equity and a solid flow of good annuity sales leads will allow the motivated salesperson to earn as much as they want inasmuch as they are willing to put in the work for it.

Are you getting the sales leads that you need to succeed? If not, consider a partner with access to higher net worth individuals, access to leverage, and a product that is loved by its buyers.