By 2026, we hope you have your own website, even if you’re a one-person agency. Just like a big, expensive ad in the yellow pages used to show that you were a real business, a website does the same thing today. For Gen-Xers and younger people, having a website is often more important than having a physical store. Even in the Medicare market, which has many Baby Boomers, people are increasingly influenced by what they find online.

There are many affordable or even free options for creating websites, and they are very easy to use. You’ll need to buy a domain name (like www. ImTheBestAgent. com) and pay a small fee for hosting your website, but this cost is minor compared to the trust it builds. Keep in mind that a simple or unfinished website might turn visitors away, so make sure to include some information about your company, your team, your services, your contact details, and a few good photos. These days, when people have questions, they usually turn to Google for answers. So, when it comes to something as complicated as Medicare insurance, you can be sure they are searching online as well.

There are rules about what you can do and can’t do when sending emails. The CAN-SPAM Act is a global law that targets scams, especially those from people pretending to be foreign princes looking for money. This law states that you need to get permission from people before you can send them marketing emails, either by having them fill out a form online or on paper. If someone is in your contact list and has shared their email with you, that’s great! However, you must include an “unsubscribe” button at the bottom of your marketing emails, and you need to stop emailing them if they ask you to. On the bright side, emailing is a quick and low-cost way to share information. You can send birthday wishes, reminders for events, or just check in with someone. If you enjoy writing a blog or working on a podcast, you can also send out a short newsletter by email to let people know what you’re doing and share helpful resources.

A handwritten thank you note or birthday card is still more meaningful than anything you can send online. You can also add a few business cards and encourage them to share them with their friends and family.

While Pablo Picasso once said, “Good artists copy, great artists steal,” it is also widely known that, “To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.” So check out what your competition is doing, follow their pages, take bits of their content and tweak to your own voice and style. Staring at a blank page only works for some of the greatest minds. Us people in the real world, however? The juices don’t just flow by themselves. Take what you like and make it yours. And remember, this is probably one of the only times in life when it’s good to be full of yourself—be aware of your strengths and don’t hesitate to let them shine.

Social media might feel annoying sometimes, but it shows your clients that you are trustworthy, active, and ready to help when they need you. It’s mostly free advertising. While you can pay for ads, it’s not necessary. When you post, remember the rule of thirds: one third of your posts should be about your company (like your employees, events, awards, and certifications), another third should focus on the services you provide (don’t forget to include a call to action, like “Give us a call today!”), and the last third should be about topics that interest your audience but don’t relate to your business. For example, in the Medicare field, you can share posts about aging, exercises for knee pain, or healthy recipes that are low in sugar. By doing this, you provide helpful information that benefits them, and in return, they will see you as a valuable resource!

Podcasts have become very popular. Maybe TOO popular, but that’s why they work. You can talk about a wide range of topics by sharing what you know and what you’ve learned about your field. You might choose to do this alone, or you can invite a coworker, business partner, or someone you’re interviewing to join you. There are endless possibilities, and you should begin by focusing on the unique interests you have.

Videos, similar to podcasts, can effectively connect you with both new and current clients while showcasing your skills. You can upload these videos to YouTube or include them on your website. Research shows that when people watch you in their own space, like on TV or a device, they feel more at ease with you compared to meeting you in person for the first time. By letting them see you in their home through videos, you make it easier for them to feel comfortable when they eventually meet you face-to-face.

Marketing is so easy to forget! We cannot say this enough: if you don’t set reminders or tie a new task to an existing task, you can’t build new habits. Sit down with your first cup of coffee in the morning and post one thing on your socials. Or better yet, make calendar reminders to accomplish your marketing goals. Reminders to write a short blog or to schedule another Medicare Orientation. Adding clients’ birthdays into your calendar with a reminder a week before to send a card is good, but you can also make one calendar reminder at the beginning of the month that has a list of all clients with birthdays who need cards to get it all done at once. Plus, you don’t want to be “that guy” who only posted one thing in 2014 and nothing else since. Is he even still around?

Do you have a special skill or knowledge that sets you apart from others? Can you explain the difference between MA and Med Supp in a fun and easy way? Have clients mentioned that you get really excited when discussing certain topics? These unique insights are valuable, and people love to hear them! Write down how you would explain these concepts to a client, and then ask someone else to check for mistakes and make sure it’s clear. You might find blogging about your unique perspective in the industry to be a lot of fun. Also, remember to share your story and the background of your company!

CMS requires registering specific events if you plan to talk about benefits or certain plans and carriers. This is a good practice, and it doesn’t take much extra effort. You can hold Medicare Orientations in various places like your office, a library, a hotel conference room, or even partner with a local healthcare provider to use their space. MedicareCompareUSA collaborates with providers nationwide to set up these events, and our trusted Ambassador Agents present.

Create a survey after the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) to find out how their yearly consultation went. You can use free online email services or send a printed copy through the mail. An even better idea is to set up a system where you can ask them to fill it out right after their appointment. The feedback you collect will help you understand how well you served them and what other products you could offer in the future.

Does your logo need to be updated? What? You don’t even have one?! Just like jean styles ebb and flow across the decades, logos need to stay fresh to speak of an active and responsive company that cares enough to stay relevant. Clipart from the ‘80s looks exactly like clipart from the ‘80s (to be clear, that’s not cool anymore). Seek the help of a professional on this one. You can also secure fresh stock photography that helps create a look and feel you enjoy which leads to attracting people who jive with your vibe. Those are always the easiest clients to work with. And don’t underestimate the value of hiring a professional, most graphic designers work by the hour and welcome big and small jobs alike.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a tricky system that can be hard to navigate. Your existing clients will know how to find you, especially if you include your website address on your marketing materials. However, if you take some time to add important keywords to your content or hire someone to assist you and run some ads, you’ll attract many more potential clients online.

Always remember to ask for referrals. This is important and should be your main focus. You can easily include it in your email signature, add it to surveys, give out extra business cards for people to share with friends and family, mention it in thank-you cards, and incorporate it into your enrollment process. Referrals from others are the best way to market your business!

People are crazy about free pens! It makes no sense! But they’ll use them and your company name will get out there. Find inexpensive, fun ways to get your brand seen. And remember, MedicareCompareUSA has swag if desired! Hit up your National Sales Manager and they’ll make sure you get it.