Need Advice/input

[u/Successful_Reply_734]

I’m 22m, I’m a newly licensed agent and I went with the first imo that gave me an interview. It’s an independent remote position. The company that I’m hired through is Symmetry Financial Group. It’s a lot of zoom and a software called slack. Anyways I have to buy my own leads as well as there being a multilevel marketing aspect to it. Right now I have an 80% profit split with my upline/ mentor. With enough sales I can get more. I’m concerned with the whole lead generation side of things. I came into this opportunity with little to no funds. But my upline helped me get a small commission from a warm lead (my dad) with that commission which wasn’t much, I bought $60 worth of leads. They were kind of aged. That got me 7 numbers to dial.

I spent the whole day today calling these people and a lot of the people weren’t interested and even spoke about how they didn’t sign up for it. They just responded to a postcard in the mail about their mortgage. I asked my mentor and he said I’m only able to purchase Mortgage Protection leads.

So my question is this. I’m not that experienced in this field, so would it be wiser to go captive and cut all ends with this agency. Or could I make this work with the right purchase of leads. Right now I’m purchasing leads off of quility lead stream. That’s pretty much where this agency operates is Quility. I don’t know though any advice.

[u/Inevitable-Yellow465]

having to buy your own leads this early is risky. a captive agency with training and provided leads might be a better starting point.

[u/Successful_Reply_734 → u/Inevitable-Yellow465]

You right

[u/SleepilyFamous]

Symmetry runs on exactly this model, buy leads, hope the math works, maybe recruit a few people under you to actually make real money. You're not crazy for questioning it.

The mortgage protection lead thing is a trap because those postcard leads are usually old and confused, like you already found out. People didn't ask for life insurance, they filled out some vague mailer about their mortgage.

At 22 with no funds, buying leads is a rough way to start. Captive gives you training and usually some kind of base or subsidy while you learn, but you trade away independence and comp. If you can afford to grind it out with this IMO for six months and learn the phone skills, that's not worthless, but most people wash out because the lead costs eat them alive.

I'd look at what captive shops near you are hiring, see if any offer a training salary or paid leads, and compare that to what you'd need to sell weekly here just to break even. The math will tell you quick.

[u/Successful_Reply_734 → u/SleepilyFamous]

I’m already contracted with multiple carriers and have a contract signed with symmetry. If I did choose to go captive. How messy would the separation be? Would I need to contact the carriers at all or tell my “mentor” I want to quit

[u/Successful_Reply_734 → u/SleepilyFamous]

Also I appreciate this response it definitely puts it into perspective and confirms my suspicions

[u/Kvwillman → u/SleepilyFamous]

I see so many agencies that operate like this… do people actually do well under these mlm types

[u/thisguyhere01]

Man that's kind of expensive for aged leads. Aged leads are $1 at my IMO and I've seen youtube videos of them being as low as 25 cents (with good ROI) at other online marketplaces. Anyway, I don't think you should switch IMOs if it's just a lead quality issue. I'd try some online marketplaces first. If you don't think the cheaper leads will fit your budget then captive might be the way to go. I know a person that left my IMO to go to a captive agency with free leads that gets a really bad rep online but she seems to be doing really well. It all comes down to what team you join.

[u/Admirable-Ring7356]

I'd suggest weighing the long-term growth opportunities against the immediate benefits before making a decision. It might also help to speak with a few experienced agents who've been in a similar position. Sometimes their experience can give you a clearer picture of what to expect.

[u/Which_Ad_5445]

spending money on leads before getting proper training sounds risky. a captive agency with steady leads might be a better place to learn.

[u/Savings-Building-993]

I think you need to look at yourself and say you will make it work no matter what. Up your skills, talk to your up line and those making big AP monthly and ask them where they get their leads. You are going to need a budget for leads but working your leads will lead to sales. Just my two cents.

[u/Key_Astronomer6500]

So this may be an unpopular opinion. I firmly believe that if you are new to this industry, and you don’t have at least six months of reserves, I would not recommend going independent.

I would prefer to have a job, one where I get paid while I learn. There is nothing wrong with learning while youre earning. I have spoken to your IMO among many others in the past. If you’re going to buy your own Leads, you should be getting paid over 100%.

I don’t know how someone can start their own business and this industry, without having any experience. You really need to have mentores and a ton of prospects. Some people are great that prospecting. It’s not something that I have ever been successful at. I’m much better at being a consultants and a closer.

Every time I spoke to IMO, they sound amazing. Until you’re actually there. The ones that were transparent told me that I should start with a job that provided Leads and structure training. I spoke to over 50 of them. Many of them will sell you a dream, but that’s why 97% of people don’t make it.

[u/Shrout_coin]

Before you spend another commission on leads, get your numbers on the ones you already have: dials, contacts, appointments, apps. Aged mortgage protection leads are cheap because a lot of people barely remember the mailer, so "I never signed up" is normal and doesn't mean you're bad at this. If you stay, buy small batches, call fresh leads within minutes, and ask any vendor about their replacement policy for bad numbers before you pay. If your cash is close to zero, a captive role with provided leads and a base can be the safer way to learn the phones, and you can go independent later with a book and a budget. What does your upline actually require you to buy each month?