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Insurance Technology Operations Commentary ACN Updates About

Commentary

Member Alliance Program: Providing Community-Driven Engagement and Support for ACN Members

Published: November 12, 2024

This year, ACN launched the Member Alliance Program, a platform where users with similar job functions can connect to exchange best practices, find solutions and share experiences. In this article, we’re breaking down the strategy behind the evolution of the chapters program to the Member Alliance Program as well as highlighting the Program’s wins from this year.

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Insurance

Marketing Your Customer Portal: 'If You Build It, They Will Come'

Published: March 14, 2019

Now that you've invested in customer self-service software, you might be asking yourself, "Now what?" That line from the late '80s American fantasy-drama sports film Field of Dreams comes to mind: “If you build it, they will come.” However, “building it” is not simply having self-service capability and offering it to clients. Rather, “building it” means taking steps to actively promote your self-service offering to your customers. In doing so, you — and your customers — stand to gain the most value from your customer self-service software.

9 Ways to Gain the Most Value from Your Customer Self-Service Software

1. Incorporate your customer portal into your overall web presence and brand

Integrating your customer portal into your larger web presence can ensure your customers know self-service is an option available to them. Consider incorporating the self-service login into the top navigation of your website so that it’s always accessible from any web page. Branding your customer portal also presents a more polished, professional look. It gives your customers more confidence when accessing their information, especially if it’s security-sensitive information.

2. Let clients access self-service via your agency-branded mobile app

Available at the tap of an icon, customers have quicker, more convenient access to insurance information while on the go. A customer mobile app not only gives your clients the omnichannel service options they seek, it also gives your agency more credibility and builds your reputation as a modern digital insurance agency.

3. Send an email to announce your new 24/7 customer portal

Use the email functionality in your agency management system or coordinate with your technology partner to announce your new portal and app to your customers on your behalf. Applied Systems technologies provide statistics regarding who opened the email, as well as who clicked to access your portal from the email announcement. These reports can be used to track engagement and encourage future adoption of the portal.

4. Train VIP customers and large Commercial Lines customers

Host a webinar to educate your customers about the portal services and its benefits and offer the recording as a download. For commercial clients who require certificates after-hours, promote how individuals can obtain those items online via self-service or offer electronic delivery of DEC pages securely through your portal. You can also consider on-site training, which can increase engagement and provide continued sales opportunities.

5. Promote your new portal via social media

Social media is a great way to get information out to your customers. Use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or other social media platforms to announce your portal, promote its benefits and provide ongoing conversation about its availability to increase customer engagement. You can also regularly post about the portal on social media as a way to entice new customers to do business with you and remind current customers about the many benefits they receive by doing business with you.

6. Update your automated message system to include your portal and app information

Your automated message system is another great channel to deliver important information to your clients. Customers are already listening intently for the representative to answer, so taking advantage of this opportunity to reach them when they call is crucial.

7. Create a branded insert for your sales proposals

Use the customer portal and mobile app as a unique value proposition when talking to prospects. Let them know that one of the benefits is anytime, anywhere access to customer service and important insurance information. Many agencies already use their customer portal as a value-add when attracting customers.

8. Update your email signatures to advertise your portal and app

Your email signature provides another opportunity to advertise your self-service portal and app to clients and prospects. Take advantage of this placement and make it stand out by using your agency’s branding and a benefit statement such as:

“Online customer self-service now available. Visit [insert portal URL here] for details on how to access anytime, anywhere.”

9. Add notices to your brochures, invoices, renewal documents and statements

Just like in your sales proposals, add an announcement about your online customer portal and mobile app and use it as a unique value proposition. Include a link to your portal or incorporate a Quick Response (QR) code customers can easily scan with their mobile device to get directly to your portal login page.

Marketing your customer portal is an on-going process that requires consistent use of the marketing activities listed above.