The secret to a successful seminar is diligent planning and marketing. Let's say you are getting ready to produce a life insurance seminar. It would be worth a couple of hours' of attorney's fees to acquaint yourself with your state's department of insurance rules before you begin. Also, if you are associated with an insurance firm, you will need to follow your firm's compliance policies and receive approval for the seminar.
Next you need to decide how you want to contact your prospective seminar attendees. There are many marketing companies that can help you prepare and distribute your seminar advertisement. Look for one that fits your style and will protect your intellectual property (and not show it to competitors.) The company will be representing you to the prospect and should project a professional and articulate image.
Before you solicit your first prospect, you must submit your seminar materials to your firm's compliance department. After a compliance officer has signed off on your presentation materials, you must maintain a copy at your office for two years and up to five years at an offsite location.
If you are an independent agent and do not have a compliance department, state regulations may require you to submit the materials to your insurance carrier's compliance department. However, some carriers may not be aware of the laws in your state. In such an instance, you may need to educate the carrier regarding their duty to help you.
