Report assists agents in creating social media policies

Not having a social media policy holds many agencies back from engaging in social media. So, in case you missed this I am including the full press release below.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 4, 2010 — The Independent Agents & Brokers of America’s Agents Council for Technology (ACT) has released a report titled “Creating a Social Web Policy for Your Independent Agency.”

“Agents are understandably excited about the potential of the social web to expand their marketing reach, shape their brand and enhance their client communications,” says Jeff Yates, ACT executive director. “But agents also want to know what their risks are in using social media, how they can make sure these tools do not detract from their employees’ productivity and how they should structure their agency’s social media policy. ACT’s new report seeks to help with each of these three issues.”

“It is good management to deploy a social web policy that clearly lays out what is and isn’t permissible when employees are presenting themselves as representatives of your organization,” says Rick Morgan, ACT Web 2.0 Work Group chairman and principal of Rick Morgan Consulting. “Agency employees participating on the social web can contribute greatly to enhance their firm’s brand online by giving the firm a ‘personality’ and revealing the quality and expertise of its staff. This guide will be an invaluable tool for agencies, brokers and carriers as they embark on their social media journey.”

ACT’s new 12 page report contains a checklist of key steps to take in developing and implementing an agency social web policy, sample policies from some prominent companies, examples of possible provisions to include, and suggestions for a social web code of conduct for agency employees. Agents can also visit the ACT Web site to view actual policies that two independent agencies are using today. To download the report and access these additional resources, click HERE or go to www.iiaba.net/act and click on the “Websites & Social Media” link.

Established in 1999 by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”), ACT provides a candid, action-oriented forum for agent and industry associations, user groups, companies and vendors to address critical technology and workflow issues facing the independent agency system and provides agencies with reports and tools to assist them in making improvements in their businesses.

Founded in 1896, the Big “I” is the nation’s oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing a network of more than 300,000 agents, brokers and their employees nationally. Its members are businesses that offer customers a choice of policies from a variety of insurance companies. Independent agents and brokers offer all lines of insurance—property, casualty, life and health—as well as employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com.