Thank you for the concise review. My old saying; Be Brief, Be Bright & Be Gone, clients do respect a person who can execute the 3 B's and then follow up, follow up and always be closing yet recognize when to be quiet. I have seen hundreds of salespeople talk right through the sale, getting to YES is the goal, allow the client/buyer to say YES.
I’ve seen Symmetry running ads up here in central Wisconsin - Wausau area near where I visited a Bankers Life office a couple years back after an over the phone sales pitch for insurance for my Aunt and the agent offered me an invite to Bankers.
Thank you... I just signed up and I’m starting my course work. I’m learning a lot and I pray that I made the right choice and I can ultimately leave my current job!
thanks for the video. I have thought about doing insurance for quite some time now. I've always wanted to help people (specially the Hispanic community).I am a certified Spanish translator with a small translation company I built. I would like to continue to receive good advice and maybe some training from youTube channel...
A CFP I've worked with has joined SFG and emailed me. I've been licensed before and, so far, I really like the Debt Free Life Idea after watching all the videos and looking into how the life product works.
Amanda Lunsford: I'm considering signing up with Symmetry. Are there start up costs? Do you pay for leads? I've never sold insurance, this will be a change of career for me. What advice can you give a newcomer? Pros/ cons?
Thank you, David. Great information. I had an insurance license about 15 years ago and tried the business. Needless to say, I was not one of the successful people. You touched on all the key points that are vital to consider. I am again considering entering this business. Your information is most helpful.
NYLife depends on you manager. You may have to fork out quite a bit of your own money to have the honor of working there so you better have some money saved before you start. You will be much better off going to a company like Northwestern Mutual who offers actual salary while you are getting your feet wet and trained.
Great video. Long story: but I'll b part time: but DIG is on my short list. Love your contentt & style. Finishing AHIP today: state license done: e&o quote good: weighing AOB - friend from FFL went there: SFG: & LIA guys and DIG. Still don't understand "agent vs agency " stuff and when(if) u move from one to the other. I'm 50 ‐ 4 kids 14 daughter 12: 10: 5 boys. Chester VA. A fan of life insurance: and to be honest didn't realize final expense was low face. Value whole life until your videos. I'll be fully telesales. Also an entrepreneur: rental props : ballroom dance studio: tennis instructor. A fan of IBC, another application of whole life. Got a 1.1M 20 tr term with National Life , looking to convert a portion to whole life soon. Also $100K MOO accident , wife has $100K UL Americo, kids have Globeife WL, Well got to get kids ready for school . Cheers.
Hey just wanted to leave a quick comment thanking you for making this video, I'm still in the interview process with Symmetry and asking to do a ride along is a great idea! Appreciate the advice!
Hey Franklin, you're right. It's basic info every new agent should follow. And I wanted to make sure RUclips showed this video to Symmetry Financial agents, so I made sure to mention Symmetry in the title and throughout the video.
You can learn more about my agency here: buylifeinsuranceforburial.lpages.co/david-duford-recruiting/ If my program doesn't make sense for you, you can contact me at davidduford.com/contact/ and I'll share with you some other options.
Hi Russell - thanks for your comment. I really don't have an opinion other than you're working for someone else and are beholden to selling each company's respective products. Those 2 realities don't jive well with me as someone who's entrepreneurially based.
Hi Russell, SFG isn't an insurance carrier. We are a broker. We are contracted with over 30 different carriers which allows us to find the best product, and/or put together packages with multiple carriers for each client.
Leazer used to be apart of NAA. My understanding is that he was Andy Albright's right-hand man. With that said, Leazer will mimic a lot of what NAA and other operations do. But I have only heard good things from them in my dealings with agents over the years.
Don't know much about them as that is a separate market than what I'm accustomed to. Same advice applies, however. Check out other employee benefits corporations, compare products, and especially compare the value the branch office provides in training you to become successful.
This company wanted me to pay for shared leads, wouldn’t let me pay for exclusive leads, and start at a 60% contract. Luckily I didn’t take it. I’m now with Family First Life with a starting contract of 110%. I work everquote leads and direct mail like you’ve said in previous videos. If you plan on doing more videos like please do a video on Family First Life! Great vid btw.
Sure thing, thanks for the feedback. Were you getting free leads at the 60% contract level? If not, what were you paying? Tough gig to have a commission level that low and pay full price for leads.
@@TheDIGAgency I just started with Symmetry. They have $.50 bonus leads. I bought some. Some are dated back to 2015. The idea is once you start making money you can reinvest with top leads at I think $5.99 a piece. I think the system is set up to start at 60% to entice you to move up and be consistent.
David Duford They were really big on promoting the cheap leads. “We give you leads generated via direct mail for .50-$3.” These leads were old by the way, some years old. And that’s why They were so cheap. You also had to make so many sales before having access to the newer more exclusive leads that cost upwards of $20. As a new agent though, I had no access to those leads. And to answer your question, I was never at any time offered free leads.
My mentor is on the phone with me or texting w me everyday and his agency has a great culture. It all depends on your mentor or agency owner. I did a ton of research on symmetry prior to making my decision to go with the company but I also spoke to my mentor on a daily basis while prepping for my state exam etc. I got to know him and he has been amazing! Not everyone puts energy/time into their agents. Butt there’s poor management in all industries, it doesn’t mean the business concept or product is bad. I have people within the agency who have helped me and taken an interest in me, although they have nothing to gain. That’s the benefit of having a positive team leader with an amazing team culture. We have the option to recruit people to become agents (I have two friends studying fir their exam now) and the opportunity to become agency leaders/mentors/owners AND they offer resources to build your own agency. It’s all about what your goals are. For me personally, after owning 3 businesses, I like the freedom I have with this career choice. I’m not babysitting 60 employees and I don’t have to worry about if someone is going to show up for their shift or not. I work from home when I want. But I have the motivation to work. Some people need to punch/clock in and answer to a manager, others don’t. If you do the research and know what you’re signing up for, then you shouldn’t fail. I knew coming in to this there would be a learning curve. I knew I’d be paying for leads, and I knew I’d have to have the self discipline to make calls and do zoom meetings. Bottom line is if you have no self discipline or don’t do your due diligence, then you’re not setting yourself up for success. Have multiple conversations with your recruiter, not just one or two. If they’re willing to be on the phone with you, texting with you, offering you moral support when you’re just prepping for the state exam, then you probably have someone worth working with, if not then don’t do it.
@@TheDIGAgency SO... that kind of alarms me. When I hit a wall with bad upline right off the bat, I asked about this and was told no matter what company I went with or IF I stayed and wanted to be under another agency owner, I would HAVE to let my license go dormant for 6 MONTHS??!! Is that not true? This is California. Thx in advance.
I spoke to a Symmetry recruiter yesterday. The only thing the guy wanted to talk about was how you will be making 80k per month in the near future if you stick to their proven system. Details were sketchy! The starting commission is 60%, sell two month over 12k, you move to 70%, two months at 25K, you move to 80%. So the next obvious question, how much are leads? (at that low of a commission rate, they should be free). Nope not free. They are roughly $29 each for fresh leads, or you can buy old leads for as low a $.50 each. The most interesting thing was that I can start recruiting my downline right away! I could start building my team before ever selling my first policy, in fact, they encourage it! Really? I'll pass.
Thanks for the insight. Curious... now that you've spoken with Symmetry, what do you think would be a more ideal arrangement for a new agent looking to get started?
@Jim Stewart. Perhaps the starting commission was 60% a year ago, IDK. But, I can speak on the current starting commission. It is 70%. You don't have to sell $25K starting off to bump up to 75% commission, but $2500.00. You do this for two months consecutively and then you are at 80% commission. You can just keep climbing up the ladder as high as you want to go.
Realistically, most agents fail. Like 90% of them within their first year. This would be an industry-wide statistic, not a SFG specific stat. The top 20% are making some type of income that is livable and lucrative.
We tried Symmetry. We left because the leads they sell are old, and when we called them except for two, were angry at being called for the umpteenth time. The leads were worthless. The company didn't give us any support when signing up went wrong for technical reason. In my opinion it's a churn and burn operation.
thats because the bonus leads thats been worked once and "5 weeks old" are actually also mixed with... get this "6 MONTHS OLD" leads which no one told me. but youll be fine if you buy the oA1 leads which are 21 days to 60 days old. i found this out recently. i wish my useless douchebag upline actually told me i was spending $300 on 6 month old leads mixed with 5 wk old ones but i guess its not too late.
and the B5 leads? 8 months to 3 YEARS old! not even the best salesperson on the planet can close a 3 yr old lead.. what we should be doing is starting with OA1 or OA2 leads. not B5 leads. no wonder my upline cant sell shit. hes been at symmetry for 7 months and is still only at 75% commission and does nothing but recruit every week. god i am pissed
@@billdeng9050 If still in the business, appreciate knowing what agency you've found, and your review. I passed on Symmetry due to two "managers" promising too much, too fast. "Build your own team", etc. Very much seemed like MLM, with no local support/training, especially field training. My background is the hedge fund business, and I've heard all the pitches from recruiters.
I think it could be a great experience. I'd interview with the branch office and get a feel of the culture. Talk with successful agents. Added, interview with multiple insurance sales offices different from NM for added perspective.
David, Do Symmetry and Equis Financial have the same line of business? What is your feedback about Equis? I've heard that is hard for an agent to use their license after they leave one of them. Is that correct? Thanks
You can contract with any carrier you please. If you leave either Equis or Symmetry, most likely you'll be locked out for six months with the carriers through them until you become a free agent and can move them at will to whatever agency you want.
I was with the company over 8 years ago! ...NOTHING has changed for SFG SINCE THAT TIME!. I have a health agent who was wanting to work Life ins. in between health seasons (10/15-12/15) and asked me to vet SFG last year. As I did i saw the SAME complaints, the SAME retread, expensive, AND far away leads and the SAME LOW COMMISSIONS!! On my own most of my LIFE CONTRACTS are between 110% and 130%. Levels you NEVER SEE with SFG-and I have all the new, and exclusive life leads-IN MY AREA that I could handle! But I make a ton MORE $$ in the health medicare & o-care in a scant 2 months-than i ever did with a years worth of work with SFG! BTW the #1 agent in Fla at that time has also long since quit SFG for the very same reasons I did. If SFG had any REAL ethics it would simply become a lead company and stop milking desperate people dry like they do!....
I am studying for my health and life license. I am very interested to know what company your working with. Please contact me. Thank you. Email canyonnospamsullivannospam@gmail.com
My opinion is "mortgage protection" means term insurance that you browbeat someone into buying when IF you did a true financial assessment, they would not need. Secondly, all these firms brag about their lead programs, If the programs were good (i.e. the people actually wanted to be called and answered their phones) everyone would be making millions of dollars. That is not the case. These companies want you to buy leads from them every week. Bear in mind, they stress that you should buy B leads. Why? They're re-selling what someone else bought last week or the week before. Then set aside 8 to 12 hours to call these leads repeatedly. If you don't buy leads, they essentially cut you off. I was told by one guy "call each lead three times in a row., bam, bam, bam" I was told by another to "call them on different phones" and a third said "Just go to their houses." If any of that sounds fun, go for it.
Hi Doug, thanks for your comment. Not trying to argue with you as you make valid points. Some questions though: -Why do you think not many would need term insurance after a financial assessment? I can see the argument to write fully underwritten as opposed to non-med. But there are many people grossly under-insured that will benefit from more coverage. -Regarding the strength of the lead programs, you're right. However, any business where the success rate is high should always be subject to question. Think day trading and real estate investment in the early 2000s. People who had no business doing either were getting rich. It's the minority that always is successful.
@@TheDIGAgency Okay, to just walk in and say you just refinanced, you need $151,000 of mortgage protection insurance (the amount of the loan) is simply wrong. What is their current situation? Do they have currrent insurance, any? If so how much? These companies don't want these questions asked. Why? Everyone needs MORE insurance! What if the person is single and when they die, the kids will sell the house no matter what? Didn't need term insurance to sell it. They sell it, life goes on (for them). Mortgage insurance would just increase their "take." How about retirement assets or annuities, cash flow? Until I know these answers, I have no business recommending a NEW policy. All these companies care about is WILL YOU buy this TODAY! Slam Bam thank you ma'am
OK. I think it's a better qualifier to say you don't agree with the sales strategy most mortgage protection agencies teach versus saying the product is across-the-board not a good idea for anyone, right? Because most of us more commonly run into someone who has no coverage and there is a definable need to purchase protection. Additionally, I actually teach agents to ask those questions. The truth of insurance sales is that the consumes does not tolerate unnecessary purchases. And in my experience definitely do not blow unnecessary money on life insurance. Also, is it inappropriate that Apple sells overpriced phones to the public at large relative to buying a cheap flip phone that accomplishes the same goal? Or is buying a BMW irresponsible when a Kia will do? Point is... in sales, there is always a balance between need and want. And ultimately people buy what they want, even though there are times where they don't need it. That doesn't make the mortgage protection business inherently bad.
At one point I was in the TOP 20 individual agents nation wide with SFG , (working out of Fl) was brought to the annual Atlanta conference~yet I WAS STILL STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY as a great portion of my $$ went to buying leads! SFG is a CHURN AND BURN organization that mimmicks "Amerilife" where a ton of the leadership came from.....all they want you to do is "RECRUIT, RECRUIT, RECRUIT" whether or not you have made any real $$ with them selling....RUN don't walk away from this company......lets see how long this comment stays here....
I truly wish I could post pictures in the comments here. I have a hard time believing you were a top 20 national agent and still struggling. as just the top 18 last month in just the master agency I am in made no less than $18000. and that was the bottom guy. range was from &18000 to &60000. If you are making a minimum of $18000 a month and still struggling that has nothing to do with symmetry and everything to do with poor spending habits. As far as all the want you to do is recruit, I am averaging $10000 a month with ZERO recruits. Please tell me how that fits into all they want you to do is recruit. I will be patiently waiting for your response
j b spot on , this guy was probably hired to bash the business or he’s bitter about the experience, people will always say crap about anything !! Literally it’s unbelievable
@@jb-np2ed You work for Symmetry? I'm looking to finally get in, friend of mine has been trying to get me in for years and now I'm just starting to look at it as a serious option. I've done bits of research and such and am wanting to learn from people who have been super successful at the art of doing stuff like this. It's been hard for me to properly gauge how well my friend is actually doing at this since he lives in the next city, plus I don't know how many hours he puts in + the amount of sales he makes on the time he does put in. He says he does well and that he could make more a month, but he just doesn't invest himself into it. Would be awesome to learn from someone who is definitely without a doubt successful and it flourishing from the job. I want to succeed.
Okay just finished a 2nd interview with Symmetry and I got if you want the fresh leads they cost $42 bucks a lead and when I asked for references I got exactly what you said resistance to who is going to insure my success as a new person coming into this business. So I proposed this to them why don't you come up with a program that helps the new person and helps you the company. Example: Don't charge me for the fresh leads and give me the sales training and product knowledge to close these sales right away and in return you get a piece of my first few sales until I get on my feet and can afford to buy leads on my own. What I was feeling is it is easy for someone to say they give you mentor's and coaches but do they give you the closing tactics to sell this product right away. I have sold many products but being a new person in this Industry my percentage isn't going to be high so who is going walk me through this process and insure my success I noticed they didn't seem to want to answer these hard questions. Plus I would need to pay for the license as well and it isn't like they are paying me a Salary here so again I think they should take a percentage out of your first few sales and in return you get the better leads this way as a new person joining this company you would be more likely to support them when you team build and pass this on to others which would be a great way to build a team. To me this seems like a easy way to not only build teams for the future but help your employees get some income coming in which is very important when entering a new field of business. Help me succeed by teaching how to sell this product and have proven mentors walk me through it. Perhaps they even close the first sale which shows me that this company cares and wants to me to be here for the long term. When I asked about it I got well aren't the number 2 agency for nothing we didn't get there by not coaching our employees but I also never got a straight answer as to me being a new person and how they were going to help me directly.
Thank you for the concise review.
My old saying; Be Brief, Be Bright & Be Gone, clients do respect a person who can execute the 3 B's and then follow up, follow up and always be closing yet recognize when to be quiet. I have seen hundreds of salespeople talk right through the sale, getting to YES is the goal, allow the client/buyer to say YES.
You're welcome, and thanks for the insight!
Wealth of Information here. We loved our chat with him on the podcast! Such a great guy helping so many people get results!
Thanks!
Thank you for the Advice. This really helped me see that this is not the career for me, prior to applying. I really appreciate it.
Great to hear!
I’ve seen Symmetry running ads up here in central Wisconsin - Wausau area near where I visited a Bankers Life office a couple years back after an over the phone sales pitch for insurance for my Aunt and the agent offered me an invite to Bankers.
Thank you... I just signed up and I’m starting my course work. I’m learning a lot and I pray that I made the right choice and I can ultimately leave my current job!
You are welcome!
How do you like it?
How much are you making
I am starting. How are you doing? I’m barely getting into the course to get licensed
@@uLLadderStall - question mark
thanks for the video. I have thought about doing insurance for quite some time now. I've always wanted to help people (specially the Hispanic community).I am a certified Spanish translator with a small translation company I built. I would like to continue to receive good advice and maybe some training from youTube channel...
Thanks for being here - reach out if I can help!
Thank u for this review.. helps to know questions to ask before starting
Glad it was helpful!
Any chance of a follow up video 2023
Very good presentation David.
Thanks!
A CFP I've worked with has joined SFG and emailed me. I've been licensed before and, so far, I really like the Debt Free Life Idea after watching all the videos and looking into how the life product works.
Right, I have heard a little about how it works. Sounds cool.
Love Debt Free Life! I love working for Symmetry Financial Group. I have a great mentor and lots of training!
Amanda Lunsford: I'm considering signing up with Symmetry. Are there start up costs? Do you pay for leads? I've never sold insurance, this will be a change of career for me. What advice can you give a newcomer? Pros/ cons?
@@amandalunsford7480 do you still work for them??? do you still like it???
Thank you, David. Great information. I had an insurance license about 15 years ago and tried the business. Needless to say, I was not one of the successful people. You touched on all the key points that are vital to consider. I am again considering entering this business. Your information is most helpful.
You're welcome! Thanks for the compliments.
Do you have an opinion or have you done a review on FFL-FAMILY First Life?
FFL has done a great job bringing new blood into the insurance business. And they do a great job training and recruiting agents.
Great Video !
Thank you!
Symmetry is an MLM. Their beginning commission rate is low too
They want you to spend $ thousands on leads
70%+commission starter
Strong training.
Many new innovations las 2 yrs.
Subsidized leads.
Still dislike the recruiting aspect.
Their now up to 80%
What are your thoughts on Equis Financial?
Equis is similar to Symmetry and many large MLM type companies
Great Video! What is your thoughts on New York Life?
Great career company with great training and a great brand name.
NYLife depends on you manager. You may have to fork out quite a bit of your own money to have the honor of working there so you better have some money saved before you start. You will be much better off going to a company like Northwestern Mutual who offers actual salary while you are getting your feet wet and trained.
Very informative video. Question, you mentioned Symmetry fees. Are those fees paid by the agent?
Don't know. Ask the upline recruiting you. He'll tell you.
Hey Greg, Symmetry does not have any fees. If you have spoken with someone from Symmetry, get with them about what costs may be involved.
That give you a discount for the test and then you buy your own leads.
You pay 50 bucks for the course anx the rest for license and thumb print background check..which i was told it totals 250 bucks. Thats the fee.
Great video. Long story: but I'll b part time: but DIG is on my short list. Love your contentt & style. Finishing AHIP today: state license done: e&o quote good: weighing AOB - friend from FFL went there: SFG: & LIA guys and DIG. Still don't understand "agent vs agency " stuff and when(if) u move from one to the other. I'm 50 ‐ 4 kids 14 daughter 12: 10: 5 boys. Chester VA. A fan of life insurance: and to be honest didn't realize final expense was low face. Value whole life until your videos. I'll be fully telesales. Also an entrepreneur: rental props : ballroom dance studio: tennis instructor. A fan of IBC, another application of whole life. Got a 1.1M 20 tr term with National Life , looking to convert a portion to whole life soon. Also $100K MOO accident , wife has $100K UL Americo, kids have Globeife WL,
Well got to get kids ready for school . Cheers.
Thank you =)
Hey just wanted to leave a quick comment thanking you for making this video, I'm still in the interview process with Symmetry and asking to do a ride along is a great idea! Appreciate the advice!
You're welcome!
How are you doing now? Did you start with them?
I'm just 15 minutes away from my front interview.... Wish me good luck
@@jamessarante4168 what happened 😳?
How did it go man?
Why did you specifically put in the title this was about Symmertry? Seems like you were giving general advice for all insurance companies?
Hey Franklin, you're right. It's basic info every new agent should follow. And I wanted to make sure RUclips showed this video to Symmetry Financial agents, so I made sure to mention Symmetry in the title and throughout the video.
I agree. this guy is a tool and a half
whats a good respectful company to join with ive been wanting in the industry for a while
You can learn more about my agency here: buylifeinsuranceforburial.lpages.co/david-duford-recruiting/
If my program doesn't make sense for you, you can contact me at davidduford.com/contact/ and I'll share with you some other options.
David, what is your opinion of major insurance carriers like Farmers and State Farm as compared to one like SF?
Hi Russell - thanks for your comment. I really don't have an opinion other than you're working for someone else and are beholden to selling each company's respective products. Those 2 realities don't jive well with me as someone who's entrepreneurially based.
Hi Russell, SFG isn't an insurance carrier. We are a broker. We are contracted with over 30 different carriers which allows us to find the best product, and/or put together packages with multiple carriers for each client.
@@Banksteam don't forget starts agent's at 50% comp instead of 100%. smh
It was a nice one, very Educative
Very informative!!!
Glad it was helpful!
Do you have any reviews on the leazer group TLG?
Leazer used to be apart of NAA. My understanding is that he was Andy Albright's right-hand man. With that said, Leazer will mimic a lot of what NAA and other operations do. But I have only heard good things from them in my dealings with agents over the years.
David Duford I’m new to this I’m still studying for my license with that being said what is NAA?
David, just subscribed. What are you thoughts on Colonial Life and Benefits?
Don't know much about them as that is a separate market than what I'm accustomed to. Same advice applies, however. Check out other employee benefits corporations, compare products, and especially compare the value the branch office provides in training you to become successful.
Hi David, which will you pick Symmetry or AIL?
Neither =)
@@TheDIGAgency Why?
@@TheDIGAgency hey, why?
This company wanted me to pay for shared leads, wouldn’t let me pay for exclusive leads, and start at a 60% contract. Luckily I didn’t take it. I’m now with Family First Life with a starting contract of 110%. I work everquote leads and direct mail like you’ve said in previous videos. If you plan on doing more videos like please do a video on Family First Life! Great vid btw.
Sure thing, thanks for the feedback. Were you getting free leads at the 60% contract level? If not, what were you paying? Tough gig to have a commission level that low and pay full price for leads.
@@TheDIGAgency I just started with Symmetry. They have $.50 bonus leads. I bought some. Some are dated back to 2015. The idea is once you start making money you can reinvest with top leads at I think $5.99 a piece. I think the system is set up to start at 60% to entice you to move up and be consistent.
Can you buy fresh leads right away, or are you forced into buying the cheap old ones to begin with?
David Duford They were really big on promoting the cheap leads. “We give you leads generated via direct mail for .50-$3.” These leads were old by the way, some years old. And that’s why They were so cheap. You also had to make so many sales before having access to the newer more exclusive leads that cost upwards of $20. As a new agent though, I had no access to those leads. And to answer your question, I was never at any time offered free leads.
Thanks Xavien - how do you think you would have done with fresher leads instead of working old, reworked leads getting started?
What’s your thoughts on Senior Life?
Not bad if you like selling for one company exclusively. I'm independent by nature and prefer having access to a multitude of companies.
@@TheDIGAgency what company are you working for?
They are claiming to work with you and hold your hand ... what is their training like ?
Best thing is to ask an experienced agent *writing* a lot of business.
My mentor is on the phone with me or texting w me everyday and his agency has a great culture. It all depends on your mentor or agency owner. I did a ton of research on symmetry prior to making my decision to go with the company but I also spoke to my mentor on a daily basis while prepping for my state exam etc. I got to know him and he has been amazing! Not everyone puts energy/time into their agents. Butt there’s poor management in all industries, it doesn’t mean the business concept or product is bad.
I have people within the agency who have helped me and taken an interest in me, although they have nothing to gain. That’s the benefit of having a positive team leader with an amazing team culture.
We have the option to recruit people to become agents (I have two friends studying fir their exam now) and the opportunity to become agency leaders/mentors/owners AND they offer resources to build your own agency.
It’s all about what your goals are. For me personally, after owning 3 businesses, I like the freedom I have with this career choice. I’m not babysitting 60 employees and I don’t have to worry about if someone is going to show up for their shift or not. I work from home when I want. But I have the motivation to work. Some people need to punch/clock in and answer to a manager, others don’t. If you do the research and know what you’re signing up for, then you shouldn’t fail.
I knew coming in to this there would be a learning curve. I knew I’d be paying for leads, and I knew I’d have to have the self discipline to make calls and do zoom meetings.
Bottom line is if you have no self discipline or don’t do your due diligence, then you’re not setting yourself up for success.
Have multiple conversations with your recruiter, not just one or two. If they’re willing to be on the phone with you, texting with you, offering you moral support when you’re just prepping for the state exam, then you probably have someone worth working with, if not then don’t do it.
I already said yes and I started the course 😟 I don’t want to pay for leads.... what can I do??
Just stop and find another organization better suited for your goals.
@@TheDIGAgency thank you
I just recently left Symmetry. Is there some penalty I could face for immediately contracting with a different company?
Most likely not. Don't recruit away their agents or rewrite Symmetry business with new policies.
Why did you leave? I’m about to sign on
@@TheDIGAgency Is there a company you recommend starting with for New agents? I'm considering Symmetry
@@TheDIGAgency SO... that kind of alarms me. When I hit a wall with bad upline right off the bat, I asked about this and was told no matter what company I went with or IF I stayed and wanted to be under another agency owner, I would HAVE to let my license go dormant for 6 MONTHS??!! Is that not true? This is California. Thx in advance.
Check around. There are lots of options. You can see how my agency stacks up here: www.davidduford.com/duford-insurance-group-faq/
I just watched an email I got from Symmetry about how they work. They said new agents would not have to prospect. Is that not the truth?
Oh no, you'll be prospecting. Just using purchased leads, not cold.
I spoke to a Symmetry recruiter yesterday. The only thing the guy wanted to talk about was how you will be making 80k per month in the near future if you stick to their proven system. Details were sketchy! The starting commission is 60%, sell two month over 12k, you move to 70%, two months at 25K, you move to 80%. So the next obvious question, how much are leads? (at that low of a commission rate, they should be free). Nope not free. They are roughly $29 each for fresh leads, or you can buy old leads for as low a $.50 each. The most interesting thing was that I can start recruiting my downline right away! I could start building my team before ever selling my first policy, in fact, they encourage it! Really? I'll pass.
Thanks for the insight. Curious... now that you've spoken with Symmetry, what do you think would be a more ideal arrangement for a new agent looking to get started?
David Duford THiS☝🏾 I'd love to hear about it...
@Jim Stewart. Perhaps the starting commission was 60% a year ago, IDK. But, I can speak on the current starting commission. It is 70%. You don't have to sell $25K starting off to bump up to 75% commission, but $2500.00. You do this for two months consecutively and then you are at 80% commission. You can just keep climbing up the ladder as high as you want to go.
@@narcfree4eva are you still with Symmetry?
how much monthly can a new agent expect to make realistically
Realistically, most agents fail. Like 90% of them within their first year. This would be an industry-wide statistic, not a SFG specific stat. The top 20% are making some type of income that is livable and lucrative.
Does symmetry pay while in training?
My understanding is most don't.
No.
We tried Symmetry. We left because the leads they sell are old, and when we called them except for two, were angry at being called for the umpteenth time. The leads were worthless. The company didn't give us any support when signing up went wrong for technical reason. In my opinion it's a churn and burn operation.
sorry I'm ignorant.Do they not let you buy insurance from other sources?
thats because the bonus leads thats been worked once and "5 weeks old" are actually also mixed with... get this "6 MONTHS OLD" leads which no one told me. but youll be fine if you buy the oA1 leads which are 21 days to 60 days old. i found this out recently. i wish my useless douchebag upline actually told me i was spending $300 on 6 month old leads mixed with 5 wk old ones but i guess its not too late.
and the B5 leads? 8 months to 3 YEARS old! not even the best salesperson on the planet can close a 3 yr old lead.. what we should be doing is starting with OA1 or OA2 leads. not B5 leads. no wonder my upline cant sell shit. hes been at symmetry for 7 months and is still only at 75% commission and does nothing but recruit every week. god i am pissed
@@billdeng9050
If still in the business, appreciate knowing what agency you've found, and your review.
I passed on Symmetry due to two "managers" promising too much, too fast.
"Build your own team", etc.
Very much seemed like MLM, with no local support/training, especially field training.
My background is the hedge fund business, and I've heard all the pitches from recruiters.
What are your thoughts on Northwestern Mutual?
I think it could be a great experience. I'd interview with the branch office and get a feel of the culture. Talk with successful agents. Added, interview with multiple insurance sales offices different from NM for added perspective.
David, Do Symmetry and Equis Financial have the same line of business? What is your feedback about Equis?
I've heard that is hard for an agent to use their license after they leave one of them. Is that correct? Thanks
You can contract with any carrier you please. If you leave either Equis or Symmetry, most likely you'll be locked out for six months with the carriers through them until you become a free agent and can move them at will to whatever agency you want.
Start an LLC and license with the DOI. Contract with whom you like and slowly develop your own true book of business. Good luck
they contacted me but it appears to be a scam. research carefully.
While SFG is legit, always do your due diligence =)
I was with the company over 8 years ago! ...NOTHING has changed for SFG
SINCE THAT TIME!. I have a health agent who was wanting to work Life
ins. in between health seasons (10/15-12/15) and asked me to vet SFG
last year. As I did i saw the SAME complaints, the SAME retread,
expensive, AND far away leads and the SAME LOW COMMISSIONS!! On my own
most of my LIFE CONTRACTS are between 110% and 130%. Levels you NEVER
SEE with SFG-and I have all the new, and exclusive life leads-IN MY AREA
that I could handle! But I make a ton MORE $$ in the health medicare
& o-care in a scant 2 months-than i ever did with a years worth of
work with SFG! BTW the #1 agent in Fla at that time has also long since
quit SFG for the very same reasons I did. If SFG had any REAL ethics it
would simply become a lead company and stop milking desperate people dry
like they do!....
DeLaun Fifield: I was thinking about going with SFG but now would like to know what firm you're with!
I am studying for my health and life license. I am very interested to know what company your working with. Please contact me. Thank you. Email canyonnospamsullivannospam@gmail.com
I'm really interested in transitioning to the health medicare field
My opinion is "mortgage protection" means term insurance that you browbeat someone into buying when IF you did a true financial assessment, they would not need. Secondly, all these firms brag about their lead programs, If the programs were good (i.e. the people actually wanted to be called and answered their phones) everyone would be making millions of dollars. That is not the case. These companies want you to buy leads from them every week. Bear in mind, they stress that you should buy B leads. Why? They're re-selling what someone else bought last week or the week before. Then set aside 8 to 12 hours to call these leads repeatedly. If you don't buy leads, they essentially cut you off. I was told by one guy "call each lead three times in a row., bam, bam, bam" I was told by another to "call them on different phones" and a third said "Just go to their houses." If any of that sounds fun, go for it.
Hi Doug, thanks for your comment. Not trying to argue with you as you make valid points. Some questions though:
-Why do you think not many would need term insurance after a financial assessment? I can see the argument to write fully underwritten as opposed to non-med. But there are many people grossly under-insured that will benefit from more coverage.
-Regarding the strength of the lead programs, you're right. However, any business where the success rate is high should always be subject to question. Think day trading and real estate investment in the early 2000s. People who had no business doing either were getting rich. It's the minority that always is successful.
@@TheDIGAgency Okay, to just walk in and say you just refinanced, you need $151,000 of mortgage protection insurance (the amount of the loan) is simply wrong. What is their current situation? Do they have currrent insurance, any? If so how much? These companies don't want these questions asked. Why? Everyone needs MORE insurance! What if the person is single and when they die, the kids will sell the house no matter what? Didn't need term insurance to sell it. They sell it, life goes on (for them). Mortgage insurance would just increase their "take." How about retirement assets or annuities, cash flow? Until I know these answers, I have no business recommending a NEW policy. All these companies care about is WILL YOU buy this TODAY! Slam Bam thank you ma'am
@@TheDIGAgency There ARE more useful types of insurance that have more attributes than slapping a term policy on their situation.
OK. I think it's a better qualifier to say you don't agree with the sales strategy most mortgage protection agencies teach versus saying the product is across-the-board not a good idea for anyone, right?
Because most of us more commonly run into someone who has no coverage and there is a definable need to purchase protection.
Additionally, I actually teach agents to ask those questions. The truth of insurance sales is that the consumes does not tolerate unnecessary purchases. And in my experience definitely do not blow unnecessary money on life insurance.
Also, is it inappropriate that Apple sells overpriced phones to the public at large relative to buying a cheap flip phone that accomplishes the same goal? Or is buying a BMW irresponsible when a Kia will do?
Point is... in sales, there is always a balance between need and want. And ultimately people buy what they want, even though there are times where they don't need it. That doesn't make the mortgage protection business inherently bad.
Like what?
At one point I was in the TOP 20 individual agents nation wide with SFG , (working out of Fl) was brought to the annual Atlanta conference~yet I WAS STILL STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY as a great portion of my $$ went to buying leads! SFG is a CHURN AND BURN organization that mimmicks "Amerilife" where a ton of the leadership came from.....all they want you to do is "RECRUIT, RECRUIT, RECRUIT" whether or not you have made any real $$ with them selling....RUN don't walk away from this company......lets see how long this comment stays here....
I truly wish I could post pictures in the comments here. I have a hard time believing you were a top 20 national agent and still struggling. as just the top 18 last month in just the master agency I am in made no less than $18000. and that was the bottom guy. range was from &18000 to &60000. If you are making a minimum of $18000 a month and still struggling that has nothing to do with symmetry and everything to do with poor spending habits. As far as all the want you to do is recruit, I am averaging $10000 a month with ZERO recruits. Please tell me how that fits into all they want you to do is recruit. I will be patiently waiting for your response
j b spot on , this guy was probably hired to bash the business or he’s bitter about the experience, people will always say crap about anything !! Literally it’s unbelievable
@@jb-np2ed You work for Symmetry? I'm looking to finally get in, friend of mine has been trying to get me in for years and now I'm just starting to look at it as a serious option. I've done bits of research and such and am wanting to learn from people who have been super successful at the art of doing stuff like this. It's been hard for me to properly gauge how well my friend is actually doing at this since he lives in the next city, plus I don't know how many hours he puts in + the amount of sales he makes on the time he does put in. He says he does well and that he could make more a month, but he just doesn't invest himself into it.
Would be awesome to learn from someone who is definitely without a doubt successful and it flourishing from the job. I want to succeed.
He keeps saying "Semmetry". It's pronounced "SIMmetry".
Sorry =) - Welcome to the South =)
If you dont work for them or never have, your opinion is really mute
Have you served public office before?
That comeback made me laugh.
@@franklinwhitsell2987 Thanks =).
Moot....
moot is the word you want, mute means can't speak
Okay just finished a 2nd interview with Symmetry and I got if you want the fresh leads they cost $42 bucks a lead and when I asked for references I got exactly what you said resistance to who is going to insure my success as a new person coming into this business. So I proposed this to them why don't you come up with a program that helps the new person and helps you the company.
Example: Don't charge me for the fresh leads and give me the sales training and product knowledge to close these sales right away and in return you get a piece of my first few sales until I get on my feet and can afford to buy leads on my own. What I was feeling is it is easy for someone to say they give you mentor's and coaches but do they give you the closing tactics to sell this product right away.
I have sold many products but being a new person in this Industry my percentage isn't going to be high so who is going walk me through this process and insure
my success I noticed they didn't seem to want to answer these hard questions.
Plus I would need to pay for the license as well and it isn't like they are paying me a Salary here so again I think they should take a percentage out of your first few sales
and in return you get the better leads this way as a new person joining this company you would be more likely to support them when you team build and pass this on to
others which would be a great way to build a team.
To me this seems like a easy way to not only build teams for the future but help your employees get some income coming in which is very important when entering a
new field of business.
Help me succeed by teaching how to sell this product and have proven mentors walk me through it. Perhaps they even close the first sale which shows me that this company cares and wants to me to be here for the long term.
When I asked about it I got well aren't the number 2 agency for nothing we didn't get there by not coaching our employees but I also never got a straight answer as to me being a new person and how they were going to help me directly.
Wow, I've heard of this from other agents but not as detailed as you gave. Thanks for sharing!