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Next Item Previous Item Go back to White Papers List As you spend decades in the workforce, you dream about retirement. As it gets closer, you think about how to bring your dream to life. Each person’s idea of retirement differs based on their goals, desire or need to continue working, as well as other considerations. Regardless of your idea of retirement, you need to consider some specific things and take preliminary steps to get ready for retirement. Financial and life goals, as well as feelings about working and planning for healthcare needs are some of the most crucial factors to evaluate when you are getting ready for retirement. Getting Ready for Retirement As you spend decades in the workforce, you dream about retirement. As it gets closer, you think about how to bring your dream to life. Each person’s idea of retirement differs based on their goals, desire or need to continue working, as well as other considerations. Regardless of your idea of retirement, you need to consider some specific things and take preliminary steps to get ready for retirement. Financial and life goals, as well as feelings about working and planning for healthcare needs are some of the most crucial factors to evaluate when you are getting ready for retirement. What Are Your Retirement Goals? Everyone thinks about how they would like to spend their days during retirement. You might want to travel, attend classes for things that interest you, volunteer for organizations and causes you are passionate about, and/or participate in other hobbies. You also need to consider the location where you want to live and type of housing you want in retirement. If you’ve spent decades maintaining a house and yard and paying down or even paying off a home mortgage, you might not want that responsibility anymore. Maybe you want to downsize and buy a condo or townhome, maybe you want to be in a retirement community, or maybe you want to buy an RV and travel around the country. In any case, as you are getting ready for retirement, many of your choices will hinge how and where you want to live. To Work or Not to Work Those who have spent their life punching a time clock, working long hours, or running their own business often fantasize about having all the time in the world during retirement. Yet, leaving the workforce can be a traumatic experience for some. You might not be emotionally ready to retire, and that is perfectly okay. Each person is different; and, unless you are a commercial pilot or have another profession with a mandatory retirement age, you don’t have to call it quits until you feel ready. Financial needs might dictate if, or how much you need to work during retirement. For others, too much time on their hands results in boredom and sometimes, even depression. When you are planning your retirement, you need to evaluate if you want and need to work, and how much time per week or how much income you need or want to make. Living the Good Life by Eliminating Debt When you near retirement, you might choose to work, but it’s ideal if you aren’t forced to. Eliminating your debt prior to retirement will help reduce your monthly income need. Start with any credit card debt, outstanding loans for cars, boats, and other toys, and any other money you owe. If you still owe money on real estate, you should work on paying down or paying off any mortgages on your primary residence and any vacation properties you own. You will still have monthly expenses such as utilities and insurance premiums, but you can live a higher quality of life when you aren’t paying debt once you choose to quit working. Determine a Preliminary Monthly Budget Once you have an idea of your retirement goals, where you want to live, and whether you want to work, you need to determine how much your monthly expenses will be and how much income you need to support them when you retire. These numbers won’t be exact but having some idea will help you make decisions about housing and the extent to which you need to work. Calculating a preliminary monthly budget requires examining your retirement income streams, which can include: Pension benefit Social Security benefits Traditional IRA accounts, Roth IRAs, and SEPs One or more of several types of annuities Your monthly income amount from all of these sources can vary based on the age you choose to retire. In fact, if you choose to take withdrawals from some retirement accounts prior to age 59 1/2, you might face a 10 percent penalty on top of regular income tax. Similarly, each year you wait beyond your Full Retirement Age, up to age 70 to collect Social Security benefits, your monthly benefits will increase by eight percent. No additional benefits exist to start collecting Social Security benefits beyond age 70. Aside from evaluating your monthly income and expenses, you also need to consider any family obligations you might have. Do you have adult children with special needs or other dependents for which you need to provide? Will you continue any support you provide after retirement? Do you want to help grandchildren pay for college? Plan for Healthcare Once you reach age 65, you are eligible for Medicare. You have the option to choose Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage, as well as the Prescription Drug Plan. While some Medicare options cost less than others, you still need to plan for premiums, deductibles, co-payments, and services not covered by your plan. If you plan to retire before age 65, you will need to determine how you plan on covering health care costs until Medicare kicks in. Other healthcare things you need to plan for include vision and dental services not covered by Medicare, as well as long-term care. Medicare only pays for medically necessary nursing home expenses, and you have to meet a very strict criteria to be approved. There are a number of long-term care insurance plans which exist to help provide a host of services that aren’t covered by regular health insurance. This coverage is designed to include assistance with your routine daily activities, like bathing, dressing or getting in and out of bed. A long-term care insurance policy helps cover the costs of those routine daily activities when you have a chronic medical condition, a disability or a disorder such as Alzheimer’s disease. Most long-term care policies will reimburse you for care given in a variety of locations, such as : Your home. A nursing home. An assisted living facility. An adult day care center. Using your personal savings and investments, as well as home equity also could provide a solution for long-term care expenses. Planning for long-term are expenses is especially important when someone loses a spouse or doesn’t have anyone to help with daily care. Contact Hoopis Performance Network to Learn More About Planning for Retirement HPN provides knowledge and skills training for management, producers, and staff in the financial services industry. We aim to help you grow your business by putting exceptional resources at your fingertips to help your clients increase their financial literacy and plan for their retirement. Contact us today for your training and education needs and to learn more about how you can help and encourage your clients to take the steps they need for a rich and fulfilling retirement. Getting Ready for Retirement

President of Disability Resource Group, Inc. John Nichols MSM, CLU President of Disability Resource Group, Inc. John F. Nichols, MSM, CLU is a nationally recognized disability benefits consultant, the creator of disability products and administration systems and an expert witness in disability proceedings. Nichols serves as president of Disability Resource Group, Inc., a national insurance agency that he founded in 1999. John Nichols joined the National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors in 1985 and was elected NAIFA Secretary in 2011. He was the 124th National President for the year 2013-2014. In 2007, NAIFA Chicago Region recognized John with their Leadership in Life Award. He is in the top 20 of lifetime contributors for NAIFA’s IFAPAC. He is a frequent speaker at an array of national meetings, including MDRT Main Platform 2012, a session speaker in 2004, 2010 and 2015, NAIFA National, and over 500 state and local NAIFA programs. He obtained his CLU designation in 2003 and graduated with his Masters in Science Management with an emphasis in Leadership in 2011 from The American College. John is a member of the President’s Circle contributor level at the American College. As a life and qualifying MDRT member, John has two Court of the Table and ten Top of the Table qualifications. Additionally, he is an Excalibur knight level contributor and Legion of Honor member to the MDRT Foundation. In 1993, John had a near-death experience from a water skiing accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down to his toes. Through six years of rehabilitation, he reached a level of recovery that less than 1 percent of all spinal cord injury patients attain. John, who in 2010 and 2012 was LIFE’s industry spokesperson for Disability Insurance Awareness Month, has chronicled his story in his first book for the financial advisor world, Income Protection, The Conversation. His second book released in 2014 entitled, Passion, Purpose, Protection, The Ability of Disability Insurance is to help the consumer understand the value of protecting their ability to earn an income. In 2012, John received the Richard M. Daley and Maggie Daley “Golden Shoe” Award for being the #1 Bank of America Chicago Marathon fundraisers for non-for-profits. John spends time in Chicago, IL and Lyons, CO and loves to travel, hike and train for marathons. Previous Speaker Go back to Speaker Network Next Speaker

Stress Physiologist, Keynote speaker, CEO/Founder Fear(less) Rebecca Heiss PhD Stress Physiologist, Keynote speaker, CEO/Founder Fear(less) I'm committed to being a PR agent for stress...Because let's face it, stress isn't going anywhere, and it's my biggest frustration to watch people try to "get rid of it!" when the alternative, TRANSFORMING the energy of stress, empowers us all to reach our highest potential. As an expert in stress, leadership & performance, I work with people to transform their fears into fuel, powering people forward through change and stress. Keynotes Topics Address: Fear(less) Leadership •Stress/Fear & Change Management Confidence in Leadership Women in Leadership DEI Fear(less) leadership makes room for more. More productivity, engagement, purpose, and AWE. Previous Speaker Go back to Speaker Network Next Speaker

Founder of Fearless Referrals Matt Anderson Founder of Fearless Referrals Matt Anderson, of the Referral Authority, has grown his business almost exclusively by referrals and now speaks and coaches not only across the US, but in Canada, the UK and the Middle East. He specializes in training and coaching insurance and financial service professionals how to get more and better referrals. Referral coaching clients come from independent agents and companies including Country Financial, New York Life, State Farm, and AXA. Matt has spoken at Million Dollar Round Table, the NAIFA national conference and at the Institute of Financial Planners annual conference in the UK plus the UK MDRT Day. Matt has been published in NAIFA’s Advisor Today, National Underwriter, Investment Executive and Horsesmouth.com in the US and Professional Adviser and The Professional in the UK and Ireland. He has recorded several referral and networking training videos for Hoopis Performance Network and New York Life. He is the author of Fearless Referrals, which Brian Tracy, author of The Psychology of Sales, says “teaches you the “Golden Rules” for developing a continuous chain of high quality referrals for any product in any business.” Previous Speaker Go back to Speaker Network Next Speaker

Speaker, Author and President of Filtech Brian Doherty Speaker, Author and President of Filtech Brian Doherty is the author of the critically acclaimed and award-winning book, Getting Paid to Wait: Bigger Social Security Benefits the Simple and Easy Way. His book received the International Book Award as the best book in 2015 in the Business/Personal Finance category. It also received the Eric Hoffer award as one of the best business books in 2015. He is a nationally recognized expert on Social Security and a frequent speaker and media commentator on this topic. He has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, and is President of Filtech, a consulting company specializing in Social Security claiming strategies that helps retirees maximize their Social Security income. His background includes high-level executive management positions at several Fortune 500 financial services companies, including President and CEO of Key Bank’s investment subsidiary, Key Investments, and National Sales Manager for New York Life’s retirement income security division. Mr. Doherty is a sought after public speaker and has presented for Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo, UBS, Citibank, New York Life and numerous other financial institutions. He received his MBA in Finance from Syracuse University and BS in Accounting from Elmira College. Previous Speaker Go back to Speaker Network Next Speaker

Next Item Previous Item Go back to White Papers List Let’s admit it — the financial services business can be tough. It requires selling products to individuals who really need them but who often are in denial about this fact. That’s why there are two parts to learning how to become a successful professional in the financial services industry: Acquire the education and knowledge to build a successful and ongoing practice while having the confidence to engage prospects and clients in healthy and honest discussions. Develop the sales skills needed to take clients through the process of discovery to recognize their needs and wants and then to take action. Although we might consider some individuals to be natural-born salespeople, the reality is that most of these skills are learned. So how do you learn those skills? Primarily through repetition and failure. Repetition is the mother of all learning; however, learning the necessary skills to be a successful financial services professional can be a very long and challenging process. Wouldn’t it be great if there were a shortcut to gaining those skills? There is! Many have found mentoring to be that shortcut. What a Mentor Is The word “mentor” comes from a Greek character named Mentor. When Odysseus left Ithaca to participate in the siege and capture of Troy, according to Homer’s Odyssey, he entrusted the care of his wife, Penelope, and his infant son, Telemachus, to his great friend, Mentor. In time, Mentor became the advisor and wise teacher of Telemachus as he set off to find his father. A mentor is defined as an influential senior and trusted counselor or teacher, a person who will help guide someone on his or her path toward achieving goals. Mentoring gives us a brain to pick, an ear to listen and, when needed, a push in the right direction. It’s all about transferring the necessary knowledge, skills and expertise that are essential for any organization or practice. Mentoring can be an effective approach to create, organize, capture and distribute knowledge and demonstrate acquired skills. It supports both short- and long-term growth opportunities for both new associates and veterans. Mentoring Shortens the Learning Curve One of the key benefits of mentoring is that it reduces the time required to obtain and successfully execute the required practice-building skills much faster than the old tried-and-failed methods. Mentoring facilitates rapid learning because knowledge transfer is achieved by providing direct access to a range of experts and peers who can share the required skills in an actual working environment. Because 80 percent of this type of learning (knowledge transfer) is informal, mentoring empowers skill acquisition in ways that most training programs can’t. It shortens the learning curve, enhances productivity and helps everyone align their efforts with a successful business strategy. In addition to streamlining the transfer of marketing and selling knowledge, mentoring can fuel succession planning to ensure that clients will continue to be taken care of and that promises are kept once an advisor retires. Supplement Mentoring with Other Training Most mentors will help develop the skill sets necessary for their mentees to become successful. But even the most knowledgeable and skilled mentor doesn’t know everything. Therefore, it is important to supplement the mentoring relationship with additional educational resources and training to ensure that the mentee becomes fully developed in all aspects of his or her role. Early on, a robust and engaging curriculum will need to be provided. In time, pursuing professional designations should be considered. There are many types of financial services practices, from those that focus on protection products such as life insurance, disability and long-term care to those that use the multiline platform to service consumers and help them protect their property to those that serve primarily the investment marketplace. Mentoring can benefit those in all types of agencies, firms and companies. But mentoring is not about the product you offer; rather, it’s a strategy for improving the level of service, sales ability and skill in understanding clients and their situations. Mentoring Tips Based on Best Practices Here are some mentoring best practices: Mentees: Choose your mentor carefully. If having a mentor seems like a good strategic move, then pick someone with a practice you aspire to have. The mentor should be someone you can trust and feel comfortable sharing your beliefs and shortcomings with. Mentors: Be prepared before agreeing to mentor someone. Understand the level of commitment and what would be expected of you. Make sure you have the time, energy, and patience to start a mentoring relationship. Try it out on a trial basis. Many mentorships can be long term, but you could always try the arrangement out on a trial basis. This way, if either the mentor or mentee is uncomfortable or does not see the pairing as a good fit, bad feelings are less likely to exist if the relationship doesn’t continue. Specify both parties’ objectives. In any relationship, an up-front mutual understanding of what will be expected of both parties is very important. Don’t just verbalize these mutual agreements; put them in writing, and have a third party review them for additional input. And be specific. Clarity is essential before starting a mentorship. Clarify specific areas the mentorship will cover, including these details: 1) What both the mentee and mentor want out of the relationship. 2) A general structure for the meetings and conversations. 3) How the mentor and mentee will handle takeaway tasks/next steps/ action items. 4) How often the parties will communicate; the ideal times and days for these communications; and how and where this communication will be accomplished, such as in person, by phone or via video conferencing. 5) A confidentiality agreement. 6) Agreement about how to handle any splits in compensation and production credit. 7) How and when this mutual agreement can be modified or even be canceled Listen and learn. In successful mentorships, both parties will enjoy the benefit of learning, and they will listen to one another. Mentors must be willing to let the mentees speak freely and state whatever is on their minds, whether it is a question or a concern. There must be an open two-way dialogue. Mentors who only talk at their mentees will offer very little value. Be willing to share. The bottom line in a mentoring relationship is about sharing. If either party is not willing to share, then the true benefits of mentoring will be lost. By sharing their career experiences — both the good and the bad, as well as their techniques — mentors will help their mentees gain critical experience and avoid some of the pitfalls that many face. Mentees must be just as open and honest in return. Consider a mentoring relationship with someone outside your company or firm. Not all mentor– mentee relationships are formed with individuals who work for the same agency, firm or company. Sometimes it’s beneficial to see the perspective of someone who works in a different organization. But working with someone inside the same organization can offer additional benefits such as job security and the potential to become a partner or a successor one day. Work to derive mutual benefit. The relationship must offer both parties benefits. Ideally, the two will learn to work smarter and not necessarily harder. As the relationship progresses, it must become more efficient and more flexible. Mentees must understand that they have the primary responsibility for their career success — it is not the mentor’s responsibility. However, the more engaging a mentor is or can become, the easier the transfer of knowledge will be for both. Mentors and mentees: Be open to new ideas. Mentees can gain so much more than just knowledge and habits. A good mentor can have a huge impact on a mentee’s life path. But openness is not just something the mentor needs to have. Reverse mentoring is the process through which the mentee teaches the “old dog” new tricks. For example, a newer advisor could teach a veteran advisor how to navigate social media or how to use and benefit from new software programs and apps. Mentors who are open to listening and evolving their practices can learn valuable strategies from their younger colleagues. If you have not been engaged in using the mentoring concept, maybe the time has come to do so. We all seek increased productivity and the ability to break into new markets more efficiently and in less time. Mentoring may be the answer. Use Hoopis Performance network Videos in Your Advisor Training Consider using our virtual training videos in your company, agency or firm on mentoring relationship series for both financial professionals and the leadership teams. HPN brings you winning training for sales associates, and sales leaders. They can access training and information on their smartphones and tablets when they have spare time, learn at their own pace and customize their curriculum based on what interests them the most. Mentoring Opportunities and Benefits

Principal, National Sales Leader at LTCI Partners Steve Cain Principal, National Sales Leader at LTCI Partners Steve Cain leads the sales team at LTCI Partners, a nationwide brokerage agency fully devoted to serving the Long-Term Care industry. Steve also served as Senior Vice President and the National Sales Leader of Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI) for Marsh Private Client Services, a division at Marsh USA, Inc., where he helped build Marsh into one of the industry’s largest wholesale and retail distributors of LTCI. Prior to joining Marsh, Cain worked for a third-party administrator introducing several insurance carriers’ products into the brokerage market. With additional experience that ranges from the home office to retail sales, to the brokerage market, Cain has gained valuable insight on all aspects of the industry, from sales and marketing, underwriting, policy administration, and claims. Steve Cain’s commitment to enhance awareness of the LTCI industry, he regularly addresses industry groups such as the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU), State Bar Associations, the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI), the Society of Actuaries (SOA), the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU), the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA). Previous Speaker Go back to Speaker Network Next Speaker

Consultant, Business Coach and Author Machen MacDonald Consultant, Business Coach and Author For almost a quarter century Machen MacDonald has dedicated himself to helping business owners, sales professionals, financial advisers, and financial services executives discover their purpose and help them align their focus to achieve dramatic and measurable improvements both in business and in life. His ability to develop systems, based on his clients’ mental and emotional foundation, for creating immediate and lasting change has made him a recognized expert in the world of coaching and peak performance. As the consummate entrepreneur, Machen started five successful service companies and went on to succeed in financial services as an advisor working his way into award-winning field management and then into executive level management before founding The ProBrilliance Leadership Institute. He understands and can relate firsthand to the challenges small business owners, sales professionals, advisers, managers and corporate leaders all face. Machen is a #1 best-selling author and creator of the highly successful Power of Coaching book series. He is a certified business coach and life coach, certified Master Coach and Certified MindScan Consultant. Machen resides in Northern California with his wife of 23 years and their three children. He enjoys competitive running, snow and water skiing, and spending time with family. Previous Speaker Go back to Speaker Network Next Speaker

Next Item Previous Item Go back to White Papers List Many of the methods we use to persuade and motivate others such as nagging, pleading, coercing and brute force, not only fail to work, but many times, they make things worse by making people mistrust or even become angry. Some persuasion tactics will not only hurt the cause, but damage relationships by creating resentment or remorse. Effective persuasion is different. It’s subtle, unsuspecting, and non-confrontational. The human mind is surprisingly malleable and easy to manipulate, if you know what it is you want and what you’re doing. When you effectively persuade, you are not trying to control someone. You are trying to nudge them to take action or see things from a different perspective. One’s ability to persuade has held great social prestige in the ancient Greek world and throughout history. Aristotle was the first to introduce persuasion as a skill that could be learned. He argued that the most effective persuasive attempts contain three concepts: ethos, pathos, and logos. Ethos Ethos refers to the character of the speaker. If audiences believe that the speaker is credible, they are more likely to be persuaded. He believed that this includes body type, movement, dress, body language, sincerity, word choice, and reputation, in addition to expertise and charisma. Ethos is about the audience’s perception of credibility and it is the most powerful of the three persuasive means, according to Aristotle. Pathos Pathos is the psychological and emotional state of the audience. Aristotle believed that our ability to be persuaded is closely connected to how pleased and friendly or pained and hostile we are feeling. He also recommended that we determine the difference between our audience’s actual state of mind and their desired state of mind. If you can help them see how to get from their current state to their desired state, you can persuade people to do almost anything. Logos Logos refers to the actual substance of a message, or logic provided as proof to the listener. Aristotle argued that humans are basically reasonable beings who make decisions based on what makes sense. You can be more persuasive and convincing by using reason and logic in your arguments. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion Whether you are selling financial instruments, insurance, or boiled peanuts, the psychology behind selling, is deeply rooted in persuasion, which is influencing someone to believe or act in a specific way. Many people have observed and commented on persuasion, but Robert Cialdini is the most quoted in business and how persuasion relates to sales and marketing. In Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, originally published in 1984, Cialdini identifies six principles of persuasion, which have been expanded by others over the years. Let’s first look at these six principles – reciprocity, scarcity, authority, consistency, liking, and consensus – and how you can apply them to prospecting and acquiring new clients. Reciprocity Reciprocity is a social convention that compels people to return a favor to someone who does something nice for them. You probably heard the adage, “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.” Companies may send free samples of a product with the hope (and proven trackrecord) that the receiver will likely feel an obligation to buy the product. This, and offering “extras” or “bonuses,” are common examples of reciprocity. Since it’s impossible to give free samples, extras, or bonuses of insurance, stocks, and commodities, your gift to clients can be your knowledge. Consider creating video content, downloads, and e-books to attract clients on your website, or offer free workshops or webinars. The real power of reciprocity lies in the fact that it’s such a strong social norm, and a universally expected give back. While not everyone practices reciprocity, the majority of people will, without even realizing it. Keep in mind that you should never expect reciprocity, so do it for them, not for you. Reciprocity works when there is no expectation of return because the sincerity of the gesture is what gives it its power. The need to return the favor is strongest when the initial favor was done with no expectation of repayment. Be generous and helpful as often as possible, in the hope that those you help will be on your side when you need them in the future. When used regularly, reciprocity can be an indispensable sales tool. Scarcity The economic principle of scarcity has been around for ages. When resources are in short supply, people want more of them. Understanding the psychology of scarcity and how it can impact decision-making can give you an additional edge in the sales process. Using the principle of scarcity to persuade others requires that you create a sense of urgency, motivating people to act. You see scarcity being used all the time in ads that say, “Selling Fast,” “Only 3 left,” and “Limited Time Only.” In the financial services industry, salespeople can create that sense of urgency by sharing with prospects what they risk losing if they don’t act on your proposal today. Appealing to your client’s fundamental needs of shelter, love, self-esteem, and self-actualization can be very persuasive. For example, an agent/advisor selling life insurance may ask a client what will happen if he or she dies. What will happen to your family? Will they have money to survive? How will your death financially impact your family, and will they be able to maintain their lifestyle? Some agents/advisors apply this principle by limiting their availability. Don’t tell a prospective client that your schedule is “wide open.” Instead, give two options for when you “can squeeze them in.” Be careful not to create a false sense of urgency or you will lose credibility. Sincerity and truthfulness are keys to repeat business and lifelong clients. Authority Establishing authority and credibility that you know about the service you are providing or the product you are selling is especially important in the financial services industry. People will generally listen and act when they feel they are with credible experts. If you speak confidently, clearly and concisely, people are more likely to listen to you, to take what you have to say seriously, and to agree with you. Prepare what you want to say and practice it. Write out your scripts and practice them regularly. When speaking, avoid filler words (such as ‘umm’, ‘err’ or ‘like’) because these suggest that you’re struggling to express your message or that you are uncertain about its validity. Establishing authority means you must send signals to prospects about what makes you an authority before you attempt to persuade them. This also requires walking a fine line between confidence and arrogance. People don’t want to hear you boast about your accomplishments or about how smart you are. Your website and digital marketing campaigns play a valuable role in establishing authority. Providing accurate, educational content on a regular basis through video content, newsletters, and blogs, will demonstrate your knowledge to others, making it more likely that they will buy from you. Consistency Most people don’t like to go back on their actions or words. Once they say something, human nature will tend to make people stick to what they said, in fear of looking indecisive. Applying the principle of consistency to the sales process is about asking for small actions and commitments from prospective clients throughout the sales process, also known as the “yes ladder.” Giving them early and small opportunities to agree with you allows them to be a part of the process and makes it easier for them to give you the “big yes” later. Some people refer to this as the “foot in the door” technique since once you get your foot in the door, it’s harder for them to close it. Your clients need to feel like they were not forced into decisions, or they may get cold feet or resent you. You can ask for commitments from prospective clients during website or in-person interaction. For example, ask for an email when you offer free content, ask a prospect to commit to a phone or office appointment, or ask a prospect to take a survey about their needs. Consistency is built through regular communication and interaction. Liking Prospective clients are more likely to buy from salespeople they like. Cialdini outlines three specific elements of the likability principle: People like those who are similar to them. People like those who pay them compliments. People like those who cooperate. The best salespeople will take time to make a personal connection with prospects about things that have nothing to do with the product or service they are offering, either on the phone or in person. They might talk about kids, sports, television, movies, college, or any other common ground. Applying the liking principle online is a bit trickier, and it can take more time. The single best way to create likability online is by creating an outstanding ‘About Us’ page on your website or a bio page, if you are an agent/advisor. Tell your readers about your hobbies, your core values, and why you enjoy helping and educating your clients. The more likable you are, the more people you will persuade to buy from you. People tend to adopt a “herd” mentality, meaning they may look to others to make decisions. This behavior is often driven by the desire to fit in. Many may think, “If they are doing XYZ, so can I.” You can apply the principle of consensus to the sales process by harnessing the power of testimonials. Whether you share videos, blog posts, or talking to a prospect in person, sharing success stories from current and previous clients inspires prospects to “jump on the bandwagon.” Another powerful way to activate consensus is through online reviews from third-party sites. Prospects searching for you online can see positive comments, encouraging them to join others who have done successful business with you. Additional Tips and Techniques As a spin-off from these basics’ techniques outlined by Cialdini, there are other persuasion tips and techniques which can also help you to effectively persuade others. Keep in mind that the ultimate goal of persuasion is to convince the client or prospect to adopt a new attitude as a part of their own core belief system and choose to buy from you. Content Organization If you carefully describe or explain things in such a way that influences how the recipient interprets the information, you are ‘framing’ that content. This technique is often used to influence audiences in political debates. The three core elements of framing include: Placement – Make sure you choose the right time, place and people to communicate with. Are both members of a partnership in attendance? Approach – Make sure you carefully construct how your argument is presented. Focus on the positives, rather than any potential downsides of an agreement. Words – Make sure to select the most appropriate words to explain your viewpoint. Mark Twain once said, “The difference between similar words and the right words is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug.” Choose your words wisely. An example of this is the difference between using the words “cheap” and “inexpensive.” It is important to frame your words to say how you want your client to feel. Go Big and Then Small This approach is the opposite of the “foot in the door” approach or “consistency” principle. A salesperson will begin by making a large and possibly unrealistic request. The individual responds by refusing. The salesperson then responds by making a much smaller request, with may often come off as conciliatory. People often feel obligated to respond positively to these offers. Since they refused that initial request, people often feel compelled to help the salesperson by accepting the smaller request. Anchor Points The anchoring bias is a technique that can have a powerful influence when negotiating or selling. Basically, your first offer has the tendency to become an anchoring point for all future negotiations. An example of this is if you are trying to sell an insurance policy. If you suggest a larger policy first, that larger policy will become the anchoring starting point for your client’s decision. While you might not sell a policy that large, starting high might lead you to getting a higher sale. “But You Are Free” By simply reminding those who you’re talking to that they are free to make their own decision on whatever the topic you’re discussing, will make them more comfortable and feel less pressured. This is a highly effective strategy that is easy to implement. Body Language Never underestimate the power of your body language, which has a significant impact on your ability to persuade: Smile naturally. This will make you seem approachable and likeable. Raise your eyebrows. This signals you are not a threat, and gives the impression that you are friendly and approachable. Avoid crossing your arms and putting your hands in your pockets. These are “closed” positions and they signal that you are not flexible, comfortable, or approachable. Use eye contact. Making regular eye contact shows an interest in the conversation and the person you are talking to. You will also appear as more trustworthy. Show your palms. This technique goes back to the cave men days when the first thing we need to verify is that the visitor is not holding a weapon. No matter how far this dates back, it still indicates you are telling the full story. Clothing While these may seem subconscious, they have proven important and effective in aiding persuasion. Show your neck. This indicates that you are unthreatening and easy to approach. Color. Make a special attempt not to clash with your environment. Wear colors that soften your look without weakening you. Wear colors that make you feel confident. Professionalism. While it’s important to establish authority through your clothing, you don’t want to appear to be inflexible or inappropriate for the situation in which you are meeting. Conclusion Persuasion is not a new concept but is one that is used in advertisements and conversations every day. Techniques for improving your ability to persuade others are likely to make you more successful. Keep in mind Zig Ziglar’s words, “The most powerful persuasion tool you have in your entire arsenal is your integrity. The Power of Persuasion

Andrea Bullard & Company Andrea Bullard Andrea Bullard & Company Andrea Bullard is a renowned expert in business development and a leading coach for high-performance teams in the financial industry. With her guidance, she has empowered numerous individuals to scale their businesses to remarkable levels, achieving multiple six and seven-figure success while reclaiming precious time and enjoying peace of mind. In the October/November 2021 issue, Forbes magazine recognized the top 250 advisors in the life insurance industry, and Andrea's impact was evident. She coached and mentored 25 individuals from this esteemed group, including three within the top 10. Andrea's pioneering work extends to her publications. Her first book, The Turn-Key Office System, served as a transformative blueprint that revolutionized the industry's approach to business operations. In 2021, she unveiled her third book, Turn-Key Secrets , which swiftly ascended to International Best Seller status on Amazon across five distinct financial categories. Andrea's overarching mission is to inspire you to dream bigger while constructing a “raving fans” business supported by a high performing “A” team. Her proven approach generates more new clients, increased financial success, profound peace of mind, and the cherished gift of time freedom. Previous Speaker Go back to Speaker Network Next Speaker