Agent Survival Guide | Empowering Insurance Agents to Survive Today and Thrive Tomorrow

Ever wonder what it would take to branch out into group benefit sales? We did too, and Max Ravenelle, Director of Group Sales at Ritter Insurance Marketing was kind enough to answer the call and Sarah’s questions.   Contact Max Ravenelle by email at [email protected] or call 603-418-0805 to learn more!   Additional Episodes Like This One: How to Stay Top of Mind & Build Trust That Drives Growth ft. Bjorn Piltingsrud and Andrew Saksa Making Cross‑Selling Less Awkward for Insurance Agents ft. Demetri Simos and Dawn Myers Turning Life Changes into Sales Opportunities ft. Bobby Nerem & Danica Stover   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance      Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social  Opinions expressed by interview guests are their own and not representative of Ritter Insurance Marketing or Integrity. The Agent Survival Guide Podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

The Friday Five for October 2, 2026: CMS announces enrollment projections for Medicare Advantage, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D costs, and the general market outlook insurance agents should know about in coverage year 2027. Listen for our takeaways and insight!   Get Connected: 🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!   📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You! 📢 Submit a shoutout to be read in a future episode 🎙️ Be a Guest on the ASG Podcast 📰 Get Field Notes – our monthly newsletter – sent directly to your inbox!   💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to [email protected] or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Resources: 5 Ways Insurance Agents Should Be Using Ask Integrity ACA in 2027: CMS Changes, Fraud Prevention & Identity Proofing ft. Arthur Barlow Escaping the Procrastination Station | Monday Motivation How to Stay Top of Mind & Build Trust That Drives Growth ft. Bjorn Piltingsrud and Andrew Saksa Ritter Resources The Part D Cliff & Costs for 2027   References: “2026 MA and Part D Landscape State Fact Sheet.” CMS.Gov, www.cms.gov/files/document/2026-ma-part-d-landscape-state-state-fact-sheet.pdf. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026. “CY2027 Landscape Data.” Cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 28 Sep. 2026, https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coverage/prescription-drug-coverage. “Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Programs Expected to Remain Stable in 2026.” CMS.Gov, www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/medicare-advantage-medicare-prescription-drug-programs-expected-remain-stable-2026. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026. “Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Programs Expected to Remain Stable in 2027.” Cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 28 Sep. 2026, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/medicare-advantage-medicare-prescription-drug-programs-expected-remain-stable-2027. “Medicare Advantage in 2026: Enrollment Update and Key Trends.” Kff.org, KFF, 5 Jun 2026, https://www.kff.org/medicare/medicare-advantage-in-2026-enrollment-update-and-key-trends/. “Medicare Part D Enrollment, Premiums, and Cost Sharing in 2026.” Kff.org, KFF, 11 Jun 2026, https://www.kff.org/medicare/medicare-part-d-enrollment-premiums-and-cost-sharing-in-2026/. “State by State 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape Face Sheet.” Cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 28 Sep. 2026, https://www.cms.gov/files/document/2027-medicare-advantage-part-d-landscape-state-state-fact-sheets.pdf.   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

The 4th quarter is here and AEP 2027 is just around the corner! Listen to learn about what agents should focus on in Q4, from important dates to content suggestions for the busy enrollment season.   Read the text version   Get Connected: 🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the show 📧 Connect with a member of the Ritter Team 📢 Submit a shoutout to be read in a future episode 🎙️ Be a Guest on the ASG Podcast 📰 Get Field Notes – our monthly newsletter – sent directly to your inbox!   💌 Questions? Feedback? Topic suggestions? Email us! [email protected]   Resources: 7 Reasons Clients Switch Medicare Plans During AEP Escaping the Procrastination Station How to Stay Top of Mind & Build Trust That Drives Growth ft. Bjorn Piltingsrud and Andrew Salksa Learn More About IntegrityCONNECT Ritter & Integrity Solutions for Industry Disruption in 2027 Ritter Insurance Marketing Resource Links Turning Life Changes into Sales Opportunities ft. Bobby Nerem & Danica Stover   References: “National Day Calendar.” Nationaldaycalendar.Com, National Day Calendar, 5 May 2026, nationaldaycalendar.com/.   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance      Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social  Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Agents can’t control plan or benefit changes, but clients still look to us for help navigating their coverage. Jameson Keller, Chief Commercial Officer at NCD joins Sarah to talk about the challenges facing insurance agents this coming enrollment season. Learn how we can step up to educate ourselves and help our clients address coverage changes.   Find NCD Online: Learn More About NCD NCD in Ritter Insurance Marketing’s Certification Center   More Episodes Like This One: Finding Opportunity Despite Medicare & ACA Market Challenges Insurance Agents Can Generate More Leads with a Referral Marketing Strategy Making Cross‑Selling Less Awkward for Insurance Agents ft. Demetri Simos and Dawn Myers Overcoming Burnout in Insurance Sales ft. Dan Spitale Turning Life Changes into Sales Opportunities ft. Bobby Nerem & Danica Stover   Get Connected with the ASG Podcast & Ritter Insurance Marketing: 🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!   📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You! 💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to [email protected] or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail. 📢 Submit a shoutout to be read in a future episode 🎙️ Be a Guest on the ASG Podcast   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance      Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social  Opinions expressed by interview guests are their own and not representative of Ritter Insurance Marketing or Integrity. The Agent Survival Guide Podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

The Friday Five for September 25, 2026: CMS Rebrands ICHRA as CHOICE SCAN Announces Co-Branded Plan Locations CMS Temporary Moratorium on New ACA Agent/Broker Registration The Part D Cliff & Costs for CY 2027 Ritter Summits Recap   Get Connected: 🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!   📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You! 📢 Submit a shoutout to be read in a future episode 🎙️ Be a Guest on the ASG Podcast 💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to [email protected] or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Register for Ritter’s National Summit   CMS Rebrands ICHRA as CHOICE: “CMS rebrands ICHRA.” Becker’s Payer Issues, beckerspayer.com, 3 Sep. 2026, https://www.beckerspayer.com/payer/ichra/cms-rebrands-ichra/. “Explaining Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs).” Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker, healthsystemtracker.org, 22 Oct 2025, https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/explaining-individual-coverage-health-reimbursement-arrangements-ichras/. “Growth Trends for ICHRA & QSEHRA Volume Five: 2025-2026.” HRA Council, https://www.hracouncil.org/resources/Documents/2026%20HRA%20Council%20Data%20Report%20-%20PDF%20Version.pdf, Accessed 22 Sep. 2026. “HRA Council Data Report Hub.” HRA Council, hracouncil.org, https://www.hracouncil.org/report, Accessed 22 Sep. 2026. “ICHRAs, a growth opportunity for insurers, face uphill battle.” Healthcare Dive, healthcaredive.com, 8 Apr. 2026, https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/ichras-individual-coverage-health-reimbursement-arrangements-adoption-challenges/816878/. “ICHRA enrollment nearly triples as Americans shift to ‘cash-for-coverage’ plans.” Benefits Pro, benefitspro.com, 21 Jan. 2026, https://www.benefitspro.com/2026/01/21/ichra-enrollment-nearly-triples-as-americans-shift-to-cash-for-coverage-plans/. “ICHRA market doubles to 500,000 enrollees: Report.” Becker’s Payer Issues, beckerspayer.com, 12 Aug. 2026, https://www.beckerspayer.com/payer/ichra/ichra-market-doubles-to-500000-enrollees-report/. “Report: ICHRA enrollment triples in 2026.” Christensen Group Insurance, christensengroup.com, 6 Feb. 2026, https://www.christensengroup.com/article/report-ichra-enrollment-triples-in-2026. “What is the CHOICE Arrangement?” Remodel Health, remodelhealth.com, 3 Sep. 2026, https://remodelhealth.com/blog/what-is-the-choice-arrangement.   SCAN Announces Co-Branded Plan Locations: “SCAN and COSTCO Launch Landmark Partnership to Reimagine Healthcare for Older Adults.” Scanhealthplan.com, SCAN Health Plan, 18 Aug. 2026, https://www.scanhealthplan.com/about-scan/press-releases/costco-partnership. “Walmart and Scan to Launch Co-Branded Medicare Advantage Plan.” Scanhealthplan.com, SCAN Health Plan, 16 Sep. 2026, https://www.scanhealthplan.com/about-scan/press-releases/scan-walmart.   CMS Temporary Moratorium on New ACA Agent/Broker Registration: “Agent groups speaking out against possible moratorium on new ACA brokers.” Insurance News Net, insurancenewsnet.com, 16 Sep. 2026, https://insurancenewsnet.com/innarticle/agent-groups-speaking-out-against-possible-moratorium-on-new-aca-brokers. “Federal Marketplace (FFE and SBE-FP) Anti-Fraud Actions.” Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, cms.gov, 22 Sep. 2026, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/federal-marketplace-ffe-sbe-fp-anti-fraud-actions. “Trump Bans New Obamacare Agent Registrations in Latest Limits.” Bloomberg Law, news.bloomerglaw.com, 22 Sep. 2026, https://news.bloomberglaw.com/health-law-and-business/trump-bans-new-obamacare-agent-registrations-in-latest-limits.   The Part D Cliff & Costs for CY 2027: “8 Changes Coming to Medicare in 2027.” Kiplinger, Kiplinger.com, 3 Sep. 2026, https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/medicare/changes-coming-to-medicare-in-2027. “2026 Medicare Part D Bid Information and Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration Parameters.” Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, cms.gov, 28 Jul. 2025, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-part-d-bid-information-and-part-d-premium-stabilization-demonstration-parameters. “Announcement of Calendar Year (CY) 2027 Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Rates and Part C and Part D Payment Policies.” Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CMS.gov, 6 Apr. 2026, https://www.cms.gov/files/document/2027-announcement.pdf. “CMS’s Decision to End Temporary Subsidies to Medicare’s Stand-Alone Drug Plans Could Mean Larger Premium Increases for Some Beneficiaries Next Year.” KFF, kff.org, 29 Jul. 2026, https://www.kff.org/quick-insights/cmss-decision-to-end-temporary-subsidies-to-medicares-stand-alone-drug-plans-could-mean-larger-premium-increases-for-some-beneficiaries-next-year/. “How Much Does Medicare Part D Cost?” GoodRx, goodrx.com, https://www.goodrx.com/insurance/medicare/how-much-medicare-part-d-cost, Accessed 22 Sep. 2026. “Medicare Part D 2027 National Average Monthly Bid Amount Information.” Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CMS.gov, 28 Jul. 2026, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/medicare-part-d-2027-national-average-monthly-bid-amount-information. “Part D Costs on the Rise Due to IRA’s Benefit Redesign.” Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, crfb.org, 5 Aug 2026, https://www.crfb.org/blogs/part-d-costs-rise-due-iras-benefit-redesign. “The Uncertain Future of Medicare Part D and Options for Reform.” American Enterprise Institute, aei.org, 10 Sep. 2026, https://www.aei.org/research-products/report/the-uncertain-future-of-medicare-part-d-and-options-for-reform/.   Resources: 5 Ways Insurance Agents Should Be Using Ask Integrity ACA in 2027: CMS Changes, Fraud Prevention & Identity Proofing ft. Arthur Barlow How to Organize a Turning 65 Seminar on a Budget Turning Life Changes into Sales Opportunities   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Ready to streamline everyday tasks with Ask Integrity AI? This powerful digital agent was built just for insurance agents. In this episode of the ASG Podcast, we’re digging into the features, where they fit into your business processes, and the prompts to use for best results.   Read the text version   Get Connected: 🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!   📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You! 📢 Submit a shoutout to be read in a future episode 🎙️ Be a Guest on the ASG Podcast 💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to [email protected] or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Resources: 2027 ACA & Medicare Cost Projections Finding Opportunity Despite Medicare & ACA Market Challenges Get Access to IntegrityConnect Introducing the Integrity Health Plan Learn More About AskIntegrity Turning Life Changes into Sales Opportunities   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance      Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social  Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Building a relationship with a client is just like any other relationship—it needs to start with a strong foundation. In this episode of the ASG Podcast, we’re going to be showing you what behaviors a client will appreciate in an agent   Read the text version   Get Connected: 🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!   📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You! 📢 Submit a shoutout to be read in a future episode   🎙️ Be a Guest on the ASG Podcast   💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to [email protected] or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Resources: Are You Offering Multiple LTC Insurance Options? Boost Business Selling Hospital Indemnity Insurance Handling Difficult Clients: Tips for Agents How Field Agents Can Differentiate from Call Centers How to Prevent Insurance Agent Negligence How to Retain Insurance Customers Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Do's and Don'ts Ritter AEP Reflection Sheet Ritter Follow-Up One Sheet Ritter Follow-Up Guide The Complete Guide to Client Loyalty and Retention   Follow Us on Social!   Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance      Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social  Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Arthur Barlow, CEO and President of Compass Insurance Advisors and Founder of the ACA Health Summit joins Sarah to talk about ACA open enrollment changes for 2027. From CMS efforts to fight fraud in the ACA market to the new identity proofing requirements and high-risk applications, this interview is a must-listen for agents preparing for the ACA Open Enrollment Period.   Get Connected: 🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!   📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You! 📢 Submit a shoutout to be read in a future episode 🎙️ Be a Guest on the ASG Podcast 💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to [email protected] or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Resources: 2027 ACA & Medicare Cost Projections 5 Myths About Selling ACA Health Insurance Plans Compass Insurance Advisors MyChart Medicare Kit Scam New CMS Identity Proofing & Agent Authorization Rules Register for the ACA Health Summit – Use Code ASG40 to get 40% off your ticket price! Turning Life Changes into Sales Opportunities   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance      Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social  Opinions expressed by interview guests are their own and not representative of Ritter Insurance Marketing or Integrity. The Agent Survival Guide Podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

So you want to start selling Medicare Advantage plans, but you aren’t sure what kind of clients to look for? No problem. In our newest episode, we break down some of the characteristics of what one of your ideal clients may look like.     Get Connected: 🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!   📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You! 💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to [email protected] or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Resources: How to Help Medicare Clients in Poor Health Choose the Right Coverage Medicare Advantage Trial Rights Explained for Agents Organization Tips and Tricks for the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Stay Busy Outside of AEP With Special Enrollment Periods The Beginner's Guide to C-SNPs The Benefits of Selling Medicare Special Needs Plans Why People Are Choosing Part C Over Original Medicare   References: Backman, M. (2025, December 1). This is the average social security benefit for 2026. is it enough?. 24/7 Wall St. https://247wallst.com/investing/2025/12/01/this-is-the-average-social-security-benefit-for-2026-is-it-enough/   Fuglesten Biniek, J., Freed, M., Ochieng, N., & Neuman, T. (2026, February 23). Medicare advantage enrollment grew by about 1 million people, mainly due to special needs plans. KFF. https://www.kff.org/medicare/medicare-advantage-enrollment-grew-by-about-1-million-people-mainly-due-to-special-needs-plans/   Munnell, A. H., & Margolis, H. S. (2026, February 23). The government is trying to rein in Medicare advantage costs. will it work?. Center for Retirement Research. https://crr.bc.edu/the-government-is-trying-to-rein-in-medicare-advantage-costs-will-it-work/   National Council on Aging. (2025, December 1). Top 10 chronic conditions affecting older adults. The Top 10 Most Common Chronic Diseases for Older Adults. https://www.ncoa.org/article/the-top-10-most-common-chronic-conditions-in-older-adults/   National Council on Aging. (2025, September 9). New poverty numbers show more older adults face economic struggle. How Rising Poverty Rates Will Affect Older Adults. https://www.ncoa.org/article/poverty-among-older-adults-keeps-growing/   Social Security Administration. (2025, October 24). 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (cola) fact sheet. Social Security. https://www.ssa.gov/news/en/cola/factsheets/2026.html     Follow Us on Social!   Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance      Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social  Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Whether you’re starting your own insurance agency or have been at it for awhile, it’s important to make sure you’re not getting in your own way. On this episode of the Agent Survival Guide, we’ll share some key tips that can put you and your agency on the path to success.   Read the text version   Get Connected: 🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!   📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You!  💌Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to [email protected] or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Resources: Best Practices for Training Downline Agents Digital Marketing for Insurance Agents: Our Top Tips to Boost Business Everything You Get With Your Ritter Registration How to Recruit Insurance Agents to Your Downline IntegrityCONNECT What Insurance License Do You Need? A Guide for Agents PlanEnroll   References: “The 5 Best Trademark Services in the USA.” Emanus, 13 Sept. 2025, emanus.com/best-trademark-services-usa/. O’Reilly, Dennis. “10 Best Accounting Software – Forbes Advisor.” 10 Best Accounting Software, 19 May 2026, www.forbes.com/advisor/business/software/best-accounting-software/. Ryan, Emma. “Best 5 Website Builders for 2026: My Tried & Tested Picks.” Website Builder Expert, 5 May 2026, www.websitebuilderexpert.com/website-builders/. Luthi, Ben. “Can You Use a Personal Credit Card to Start a Business? | Credit Cards | U.S. News.” Can You Use a Personal Credit Card to Start a Business?, 26 May 2022, money.usnews.com/credit-cards/articles/can-you-use-a-personal-credit-card-to-start-a-business. “Choose a Business Structure.” U.S. Small Business Administration, www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/choose-business-structure. Accessed 15 June 2026. “Employer Identification Number.” Internal Revenue Service, www.irs.gov/businesses/employer-identification-number. Accessed 15 June 2026. “Get an Employer Identification Number.” Internal Revenue Service, www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/get-an-employer-identification-number. Accessed 15 June 2026. “How to Start an Insurance Agency: A Step-by-Step Guide.” Brightway, 23 June 2025, www.brightway.com/news/starting-an-insurance-agency-guide. “Insurance Licensing Directory.” AgencyEquity, www.agencyequity.com/listing-categories/insurance-licensing-directory. Accessed 15 June 2026. “Register Your Business.” U.S. Small Business Administration, www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/register-your-business. Accessed 15 June 2026. “Ritter Agents - Schedule a Demo.” AgentMethods, www.agentmethods.com/ritter-agents/. Accessed 15 June 2026. “Stanford Guidelines for Web Credibility.” The Web Credibility Project: Guidelines - Stanford University, credibility.stanford.edu/guidelines/index.html. Accessed 15 June 2026. “Streamlined Insurance Licensing & Compliance Monitoring.” NIPR, nipr.com/. Accessed 15 June 2026. Gupta, Mayank. “Top Startup Business Consultant Firms for 2026 Success.” CaseBasix, 19 Jan. 2026, www.casebasix.com/pages/top-startup-business-consultant-firms. Upwork | Hire Top Freelance Talent with Confidence, www.upwork.com/. Accessed 15 June 2026. USPTO Office of Public Affairs (OPA). United States Patent and Trademark Office, 12 May 2026, www.uspto.gov/. “What Is a Trademark?” United States Patent and Trademark Office, 30 Nov. 2023, www.uspto.gov/trademarks/basics/what-trademark. “Write Your Business Plan.” U.S. Small Business Administration, www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/write-your-business-plan. Accessed 15 June 2026.   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance       Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social   Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.