Commission-Only, but Full of Opportunity: Here’s What That Really Means

Let’s get this out of the way first — if you’re looking for a comfy little base salary and a guaranteed paycheck, this probably isn’t the gig for you. At The DIG Agency, you are 100% commission. That’s not a warning — it’s a promise. Because here, your income potential is unlimited, but it requires the right mindset.

This is an independent contractor position. That means you are your own boss, your own motivation, and your own source of success. No one’s handing you a timecard or punching your clock. And most importantly — no one’s giving you a set salary just for showing up. You’ve got to earn your wins. You’ve got to kill what you eat, so to speak.

This isn’t corporate America. This is a business built for people who want to create something of their own, and be rewarded handsomely for doing it right. If that excites you? Keep reading — because we’re about to break down exactly how that money gets made.

Two Tracks, One Goal: Choose the Program That Matches Your Style

At The DIG Agency, we understand that everyone starts at a different point in their career journey. That’s why we offer two core ways to get rolling — the Career Program and the Broker Program.

Here’s the difference:

• Career Program: This is where a lot of people start, especially if they’re newer to the game. You get fresh, exclusive leads — completely free. That means you don’t have to spend your own money upfront to get clients. We’re investing in you with leads, and in return, you start out at a 50% commission level. That’s right: 50% of the first-year commission on each sale you make. 
• Broker Program: This one’s for the more seasoned pros, or for people ready to go all in. You buy your own leads, which means you control the flow and type of business you’re writing. And in exchange, your commission levels start at 100% — and can rise as high as 130% based on performance and production volume. 

So whether you want a little help getting started or you’re ready to steer your own ship entirely, we’ve got a track that fits.

Let’s Talk Numbers: How You Get Paid and What to Expect

Let’s dive into the actual mechanics of how money shows up in your account. After all, that’s what you’re here for, right?

Here’s how it works:

Once you close a sale, payment typically hits within a few business days. You’ll receive approximately 75% of the full first-year commission upfront. So if you write a $1,000 annual premium on a policy, and you’re at a 100% contract level, you’re getting $750 deposited within days.

The remaining 25% gets paid out over months 10, 11, and 12 of the policy’s first year. Why? Insurance carriers hold back a portion of the commission to ensure the policy sticks (known as “persistency”). It’s pretty standard across the industry.

Here’s a quick example:

• Annual Premium: $1,000 
• Contract Level: 100% 
• Total Commission: $1,000 
• Immediate Payout (Approx. 75%): $750 
• Deferred Payout (Months 10–12): $250 split into three monthly payments 

And keep in mind — as your contract level increases, so does your commission. That same $1,000 premium at a 130% level? Now you’re looking at $1,300 in total commission, with $975 upfront.

Free Leads vs. Paid Leads: What’s the Real Difference?

This part matters, especially if you’re wondering whether to start with free leads in the Career Program or go all-in with the Broker Program.

With free leads, you don’t pay out of pocket — we give you the fuel. These leads are fresh, exclusive, and high-quality. The trade-off? You start at a 50% commission level. It’s a great way to build experience, confidence, and momentum without financial risk.

With paid leads, you’re investing in yourself. You choose the leads you want, you buy them, and in exchange, you earn a significantly higher commission — starting at 100% and potentially going up to 130%. This track is better suited for agents who are ready to scale and understand the math behind lead investment and return.

Here’s how to think about it:

• Free Leads = Training Wheels: Safer, easier to get started, but slower growth. 
• Paid Leads = Racing Bike: More control, faster growth, but higher risk if not managed correctly. 

Either way, you’re getting access to powerful tools, incredible mentorship, and a proven path to high income. It all comes down to how fast and how hard you want to go.

How to Grow Your Commission Rate (and Your Income)

Now, let’s talk about leveling up. At The DIG Agency, this isn’t a flat system. It’s designed to reward performance. You do well? You earn more. Simple as that.

Here’s how it works in the Broker Program:

• You start at 100% commission. 
• As you hit production milestones (like writing a certain volume per month or per quarter), your contract level increases. 
• You can grow all the way up to 130% commission. 

Every time you move up, your income multiplies. Think about it: selling the same policy at 130% instead of 100% is a 30% raise — without doing any extra work on that sale. That’s the power of scaling within the model.

In the Career Program, you start at 50%, and your path to growth involves showing consistency, performance, and leadership potential. Agents who master the system often transition into broker contracts or management roles where their earning potential accelerates.

The takeaway? There is no ceiling here — just the next level.

Why This Model Works (If You’re the Right Kind of Person)

This isn’t a job for everyone. And that’s by design.

If you need someone looking over your shoulder, reminding you to work, and cutting you a check no matter how you perform — this will feel uncomfortable.

But if you’re self-motivated, hungry for growth, and tired of your income being limited by someone else’s rules, then this system gives you freedom with structure. You’re not building someone else’s dream. You’re building your own — with tools, coaching, and a track that works when you work it.

Here’s what agents at The DIG Agency get:

• Access to free training and mentorship 
• CRM and tech tools to help you manage your business 
• Optional free lead programs to jumpstart your career 
• A team culture that celebrates wins, supports learning, and stays hungry 

And the best part? You don’t need to be perfect — just willing to learn, take action, and stay consistent. The system is already built. Your job is to plug in and execute.

Final Word: The DIG Agency Pays — But Only If You Play the Game

So here’s the bottom line:

• It’s 100% commission. 
• You get paid within days after each sale — no waiting for a paycheck every two weeks. 
• You can start with free leads or go full broker and buy your own. 
• Your commission level grows with your performance. 
• There’s no cap on what you can earn. 

If you’re looking for predictable mediocrity, this probably isn’t for you. But if you’re looking for an opportunity where your hustle directly determines your paycheck — then welcome home.

At The DIG Agency, we don’t promise easy. But we do promise real. Real pay. Real growth. Real independence.

And if you’re ready to earn it, we’re ready to help you build something big.

Would you like a downloadable version of this as a PDF, or do you want me to create a LinkedIn-style version for social media promotion as well?

Thank You For Reading

Thank you for reading. In addition to growing our team, my company also offers products and services to help independent insurance agents increase their production and profitability.

If You’re Looking to Join an Agency

The DIG Agency specializes in helping agents become top producers selling final expense life insurance 100% from home using our free lead system. We provide high-quality training, expert coaching, and the technology tools you need to succeed — whether you want to work part-time or build a full-time career.

As your skills grow, you’ll have the option to transition into a broker role, where you can buy your own leads, earn higher commissions, and even build your own team — all without any forced recruiting or MLM gimmicks.

If you’re serious about building a real career in final expense sales, visit https://www.davidduford.com to learn more. Watch the Overview Video on the homepage to see exactly how our system works.

If You’re Already an Agent and Want Better Leads and Tools

Whether you’re independent or already working with another agency, we can help you get more high-quality leads and streamline your sales process. Here’s what we offer:

• FE Leads Direct
  Order exclusive final expense leads at wholesale pricing through our done-for-you lead management system. These are the same leads our top producers work every day. Learn more at https://www.GetFELeads.com. 
• DIG Dialer
  Designed for insurance agents selling any product, the DIG Dialer helps maximize your calling efforts. It’s the same dialer we use at The DIG Agency and has boosted our presentation rate by up to 300% compared to other dialers. If you want more presentations and more sales, visit https://www.digdialer.com for details. 
• Final Expense CRM
  If you’re a final expense agent looking for a field-tested CRM to manage your leads and clients, check out Final Expense CRM. Designed specifically for remote sales, it features Grace AI to help pre-set appointments and automate follow-ups to increase your sales opportunities. Try it for free for 14 days at https://www.finalexpensecrm.com. 

Wherever you are in your career — new agent, experienced producer, or independent broker — we’ve got the tools, training, and resources to help you sell more, earn more, and build the business you want.