Licensed to Talk Insurance

In this special three-year anniversary episode of Licensed to Talk Insurance, Amanda and Kelsey sit down with Mike O’Donnell, Vice President at Chicagoland SIA and Producer at Concklin Insurance Agency. With over 30 years of industry experience, Mike shares why clearly defining your ideal client is one of the most important steps to growing a profitable and sustainable agency.

You’ll learn how to identify the traits of your best cl...

Choosing a niche can set your agency apart, but how do you pick the right one? In this episode, Amanda and Kelsey unpack how to identify profitable, sustainable niche markets based on your interests, carrier appetite, geography, and competition. From leveraging past experience to using passion projects as growth engines, they share real-life examples and actionable tips to help you build credibility, generate referrals, and become ...

Not all learning is created equal. In this episode, Amanda and Kelsey sit down with Christine Lee, Agency Growth Coach at Chicagoland SIA, to break down the difference between checking the CE box and making strategic professional development investments. From designations like CIC and SBCS to marketing training, video creation/editing, and social media strategy, this conversation dives into the educational paths that drive real age...

Even the best agencies face unhappy clients. The real test is how you handle them. In this episode, Amanda Yaniz and Kelsey Concklin Ramsey dive into the why behind client dissatisfaction, how to respond with empathy and professionalism, and the proactive habits that keep frustration at bay. You’ll learn communication strategies, and reputation management tip. Whether you’re a solo agent or part of a large team, this conversation w...

Rejection is part of the job, but it doesn’t have to derail your day—or your goals. In this episode, Amanda, Kelsey, and special guest Jenny McNulty dive into the mindset shifts and sales strategies every agent needs to stay motivated when the answer is no. From understanding your close ratios to setting realistic expectations, and following up without being a pest, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you turn every ...

Every insurance agent has a story—but are you telling yours? In this episode of Licensed to Talk Insurance, Amanda and Kelsey dive into the power of an authentic origin story and how it can help agents build trust, differentiate themselves, and connect with clients on a deeper level. From stumbling into the industry to making it a lifelong career, we explore why why you sell insurance is just as important as what you sell. Plus, we...

In this episode of Licensed to Talk Insurance, Amanda and Kelsey dive into the qualities that make a great leader—and the pitfalls that can undermine a team's success. Amanda shares a personal story of a toxic work environment that led to disengagement and inefficiency, while Kelsey highlights the impact of strong leadership in fostering employee growth, ownership, and passion. They discuss key leadership traits such as communicati...

In this episode of Licensed to Talk Insurance, hosts Amanda Yaniz and Kelsey Concklin-Ramsey explore how behavioral science can revolutionize marketing and sales strategies for independent insurance agents. They delve into key principles such as emotional versus rational decision-making, the power of social proof, the impact of storytelling, and autonomy bias. Amanda and Kelsey also discuss strategies like leveraging reviews, creat...

This episode of Licensed to Talk Insurance focuses on developing and implementing effective mentorship programs for independent insurance agencies. The hosts, Amanda Yaniz and Kelsey Conklin-Ramsey, discuss the importance of mentorship programs for small and growing agencies, especially in addressing the industry's talent gap. They explore generational differences in work expectations, particularly with Gen Z, emphasizing the need ...

Rebranding your agency is a significant decision that can breathe new life into your business, but it's not one to take lightly. In this episode, Amanda and Kelsey dive into the three key phases of rebranding—planning, execution, and launch—sharing actionable tips and real-world examples along the way. Learn how to evaluate whether a rebrand is the right move, strategies for ensuring client buy-in, and how to maintain brand goodwil...

In this episode of Licensed to Talk Insurance, hosts Amanda Yaniz and Kelsey Concklin-Ramsey are joined by Dan Huffstetter, Executive Vice President at Chicagoland SIA. Dan shares valuable insights for independent insurance agents on building trust with underwriters, enhancing submissions, and understanding their clients' businesses. The conversation covers Dan's experiences as an underwriter and how agents can differentiate themse...

In this episode, Kelsey sits down with Jenny McNulty to discuss the comprehensive range of support services available to new and established insurance agencies. They explore the hands-on guidance provided for new agency onboarding, covering essential steps like securing carrier codes and developing sound business strategies. Kelsey deep dives into the different ways she assists members with their digital strategy while Jenny highli...

In this episode of Licensed to Talk Insurance, Amanda Yaniz and Kelsey Concklin-Ramsey delve into the intricacies of mapping the customer journey. They explore the significance of understanding every touchpoint in the path from prospect to policyholder. Listen in to learn how mapping this journey can unveil opportunities to enhance client experiences, improve agency processes, and ultimately increase customer satisfaction and loyal...

In Episode 23 of "Licensed to Talk Insurance," hosts Amanda Yaniz and Kelsey Concklin-Ramsey welcome back Christine Lee, an agency growth coach at Chicagoland SIA. This episode dives deep into the critical reports that insurance agency owners should be reviewing regularly to ensure growth and profitability. Christine shares her insights on the importance of daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports, focusing on key performance ...

In this insightful episode of License to Talk Insurance, your hosts Amanda and Kelsey dive into the essential steps for developing a tech stack tailored to independent insurance agencies. They discuss the critical components of a tech stack, from agency management systems to customer relationship management (CRM) tools, and website essentials.

Amanda and Kelsey provide practical advice on identifying key pain points technology can ...

In this episode of "Licensed to Talk Insurance," hosts Amanda Yaniz and Kelsey Concklin Ramsey dive into the often-overlooked skill of perception checking. Join Amanda, the Director of Marketing, and Kelsey, the Director of Digital Strategy at Chicagoland SIA, as they explore the nuances of effective communication within the insurance industry. They discuss the importance of self-awareness, body language, and adapting to various co...

In the 20th episode of "Licensed to Talk Insurance," hosts Amanda Yaniz and Kelsey Concklin Ramsey are joined by special guest Tammy Nelson, Personal Lines Manager at Chicagoland SIA. With over 30 years of industry experience, Tammy shares invaluable insights into the underwriting factors shaping personal lines insurance policies today. From the impact of credit scores to evolving trends in roof coverage, Tammy delves into the nuan...

n this episode of "Licensed to Talk Insurance," hosts Kelsey Ramsey and Amanda Yaniz delve deep into the realm of data and analytics, providing invaluable insights for independent insurance agents looking to make informed marketing decisions. From leveraging tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and CRM systems to analyzing email marketing strategies and social media analytics, this episode offers practical tips and s...

In this episode of "Licensed to Talk Insurance," hosts Amanda Yaniz and Kelsey Concklin Ramsey delve into the world of generative AI and its implications for independent insurance agents. Focusing on ChatGPT they explore its functionalities and discuss how it can assist agents in various aspects of their marketing endeavors. From summarizing articles to assisting with social media posts and hashtags, ChatGPT is a valuable resource ...