Member Spotlight: Bay Shore Insurance Agency

What is the biggest challenge your agency faced in the past year?

We put together a solid agency structure and culture. However, our biggest challenge has been trying to find effective insurance producers. While there are a limited number of insurance producers that could be available, it has been a struggle to find one with a strong work ethic that will fit within our agency culture. We recognize that this is a challenge not just facing our industry, but even with businesses that we insure who are tasked to find good employees.

Do you have a new tip or best practice you have learned and want to share?

Embracing digital marketing has become a best practice for us. This has led us to do a few different things we were not doing a few years ago. One example was signing up with Rocket Referrals to help with marketing. Using their program, we were able to communicate more with our clients and gather feedback to help us know where we stood. We were able to then turn that information into client reviews and testimonials that we could promote via Facebook.

We have also started using tools like Hootsuite to help manage our social media platform. This has allowed us to schedule posts that can be shared to our Bay Shore Insurance Agency Facebook page and our new Barney’s Corner Facebook page.

Overall the tools allow us to do more to promote our agency, our culture, and our people, while “mixing it up” so clients, prospects and followers don’t always see the same thing.

Why are you an SIA of Northern Ohio member?

When we started the agency, having the opportunity to reach out to multiple companies quickly was beneficial. Having the ability to work directly with carriers we knew, but also having access to other carriers beyond that provided more options to write business. In addition to the carrier access, some of the profit-sharing and bonus opportunities offered were attractive. And finally, through the network, we have been able to meet people from other agencies, companies and vendors.

What makes your agency unique?

From client feedback gathered via Rocket Referrals, we were able to learn quite a few things. The trend we noticed was they were saying basically the same thing – we are a very customer-oriented agency. Clients told us they value how quickly we respond to their calls and emails, we are very friendly, and that we are very competent.

Two other things that make us unique. First, we are proud that we are an insurance agency that is owned by women. Second, we really try to maintain a fun atmosphere and started enhancing our marketing with our dog Barney. This includes setting up a Facebook page called “Barney’s Corner” and using different photos of Barney to grab attention.

What causes does your agency actively support?

We are actively involved in networking groups including the West Shore Chamber of Commerce, Women in Business (WBEN), the Power of More, and Business Network International (BNI). In 2019, the West Shore Chamber awarded us with the Bright Star Award.

We also support several important causes. Nancy serves on a

committee through the Rotary Club organizing shoe box donations for kids in Nicaragua. In addition to that, she will serve meals to families through the AMES Project with Hospice. Nancy also works with Connect for Kids which helps parents learn how to engage with kids who are struggling.

Judie is involved in the Kiwanis and participates in many projects including helping with pancake breakfasts to raise money and giving financial support at Christmas time to help provide food for families. The agency also has adopted a family to provide gifts around Christmas.