Only about half of the independent life agents who use social media sites say they use the sites for business.
Researchers in the Chicago office of Mintel Comperemedia, a unit of Mintel International Group Ltd., found that 70% of 214 independent life producers surveyed said they use at least one social media site for business, pleasure or both.
About 14% of the agents said they believe social networks have generated word-of-mouth type leads, 14% said social networks help them stay in contact with clients, and 11% said they believe social networks give them more client opportunities.