Education Is the Best Life Marketing Strategy: Firm Founder

Conversation January 08, 2025 at 11:21 AM
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Ads and social media posts may generate leads, but the heart of life insurance sales and marketing is still one-on-one client education.

Arik "Eric" Bouskila, the founder of ARI Financial Group, made a plea for financial professionals to put spreading knowledge first in a recent interview.

"Understanding specific client needs and forming targeted relationships remains far more impactful than broad marketing efforts," Bouskila said, via email. "Our first goal is to educate our clients so they understand the value and benefits of life insurance as an asset class."

ARI representatives then explore clients' needs, goals and profiles and develop strategies to fit what they find.

"Success depends on educating clients about the nuances of these strategies," Bouskila said.

What it means: For many financial professionals, serving clients is still an artisanal process.

ARI Financial: Bouskila started ARI Financial in 2009.

The Aventura, Florida-based firm uses whole life insurance, premium finance arrangements and other tools to help clients with life insurance protection planning and estate planning.

The firm helps U.S. clients through the Florida office and clients outside the United States through affiliates in Zurich and Dubai.

The clients: Bouskila is skeptical about the impact of digital services on what clients know.

"Clients today are more informed," Bouskila said. "But not necessarily better informed. While access to information has increased awareness, life insurance remains complex. Much of what's available lacks depth and context."

One implication is that financial professionals must supplemental the initial education process by checking in on clients regularly, to make sure that the financial professionals understand the clients' current needs and that the clients understand their current situation and how seemingly minor moves could have big effects, Bouskila said.

"We conduct annual reviews with our clients, as it's critical that policy owners understand the long-term implications of any modifications they make," he added.

Credit: PeskyMonkey/iStock

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