Your First Move Matters: Get Licensed Now

If you haven’t gotten your insurance license yet, that is your first non-negotiable step. Nothing can happen in this business until you have that piece of paper. And we don’t just mean that metaphorically. Without a valid life, health, or other relevant license, you’re on the sidelines.

It doesn’t matter how motivated you are or how much potential you have. If you aren’t licensed, you can’t sell. Period. That’s why your very first investment of time and energy should be toward a pre-licensing course.

Sites like davidduford.com/ISS offer massive discounts on exam prep (think $70-$80 instead of $200), and it doesn’t even require you to sign with that agency to use the deal. It’s a no-brainer starting point.

Once you’re licensed, you can hit the ground running when you find the right opportunity. But if you skip this, you lose momentum, money, and motivation.

Don’t Join Just Anyone: Research Before You Sign

Let’s say someone just pitched you on an opportunity with an agency or insurance group. Sounds exciting, right? They may be talking big commissions, residual income, and flexible schedules.

Pause. Breathe. Research.

The sad truth is that most heavily recruiting insurance organizations are multi-level marketing (MLM) operations. Their goal? Bring in warm bodies. Lots of them. Not necessarily to sell insurance—but to recruit others who can recruit others who can… you get the point.

You need to dig beneath the surface:

1. Is this agency focused on recruiting more than selling?

2. Do they offer actual training?

3. Are their agents really succeeding?

Why does this matter? Because 95% of first-year agents fail. And often, it’s not because they didn’t try. It’s because they got sucked into a system that doesn’t work. A system that pitches dreams but doesn’t train or support the agent.

Take your time. Interview multiple agencies. Compare what they say. Your first decision can determine whether you’re part of that 5% who make it—or just another name in the 95% who don’t.

Pick an Agency That Invests in YOU

If you’re looking at joining an agency, here’s the one thing you should look for above all else:

Training and Support.

Yes, compensation matters. But if you don’t know how to sell or don’t have guidance, no commission structure will save you.

Some agencies (like the Ford Insurance Group) make this the cornerstone of their model. They offer one-on-one mentorship, sales training, script work, objection handling—everything you need to prepare for real conversations with real clients.

Others? They hand you a lead list and wish you good luck.

The difference between those two experiences is everything. Especially in your first year. Choose the path with mentorship, community, and a commitment to agent success. You’ll go further, faster, and with fewer bruises.

Verify the Hype: Talk to the Top Producers

Before you join any agency, talk to at least three top producers who currently work there.

Forget the pitch. Skip the sizzle reel. Get on the phone or Zoom with the people actually making money in that system.

Here’s why this is critical:

• Are these producers happy with their support?

• Do their experiences match what you were told in the recruiting call?

• Is the system duplicatable for someone new?

If what you hear from the producers doesn’t line up with the shiny recruitment pitch, that’s a red flag. On the other hand, if you see consistency and transparency across the board, it’s probably a good place to land.

Top producers will also give you unfiltered insights into what actually works and what doesn’t. That’s gold.

This Isn’t Easy: Prepare to Grind for Years

This is the part most people don’t want to hear. But it’s the most important.

This business takes time.

No matter how good the agency is, no matter how much support you get, you will still need to work your butt off. Not for weeks. Not even for months. For years.

Think five years of consistent effort.

In that time, you’ll make mistakes. You’ll learn hard lessons. You’ll gain confidence. You’ll sharpen your skills. And if you stay the course, you’ll start to see those compounding wins that lead to true financial freedom.

But if you come in thinking this is a get-rich-quick opportunity, you’re going to be disappointed. That’s not how long-term success is built in insurance.

The agents who win aren’t the flashiest. They’re the ones who show up, stay focused, and do the boring fundamentals better than anyone else.

Consistency Beats Talent Every Time

If there’s one trait that predicts long-term success in insurance, it’s this:

Consistency.

Talent helps. Charisma is nice. But neither will carry you through a rough month, or a tough season, or your 10th “no” in a row. Consistency will.

The agents who keep showing up—who block out the noise, ignore the distractions, and just execute the basics daily—they’re the ones who rise to the top.

If you can:

• Show up every day with a game plan,

• Stick with one system that works,

• Learn from your mistakes and keep going,

…you’re going to get ahead. That’s the secret no one wants to hear: the boring work works.

Ready to Start? Don’t Do It Alone

If you’re serious about building a real insurance career—one that gives you control over your time, your income, and your lifestyle—then your next step is to find the right team.

At the Ford Insurance Group, we offer:

• A Make-Money Guarantee (yes, really)

• Hands-on, 1:1 training

• A transparent culture where results matter more than hype

Want to learn more?
Visit davidduford.com to check out how our system works, what kind of support we provide, and how you can get started with an agency that actually invests in your success.

You can build a successful insurance career.
But only if you take the right steps.
And you don’t wait to take them.

Let’s get to work.

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.