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Update News
for September 2015
Here is a quick run-down on what you will find in this bulletin:
The Data Transition is Complete
VERY Inexpensive Microsoft Tablets
Special Referral Opportunity
Why Are FREE Zip Codes So Important?
Zip Code Listings
Rule Changes For 2016
These topics will be dealt with in more detail throughout this bulletin.
The data changes we have talked about for the last few months, went live for ALL Compulife's U.S. subscribers on Friday August 7th. The midmonth update that we posted that day introduced radical enough changes to the way we store product and rates files that old copies of our software programs no longer are able to run newer product and rate files. Anyone bootlegging past copies of our software are now relegated to running increasingly out-of-date software.
With the exception of the typical bugs that you can expect in a major change to software, the transition went very well. Those who faced the biggest hurdles were the Internet Engine users (those paying $960 per year), and in particular those running Windows server software. The majority of our customers are running on Linux servers. This includes ourselves with our websites www.term4sale.com, the web quote options and mobile quoting options. We introduced the changes to our copies of those Linux programs before distributing them to our customers, and so those getting the Linux versions had a pretty easy go of it. Those running Windows server software faced the biggest problems as we encountered some bugs in the areas of that software that were different from the Linux version. With the help of those subscribers who use that Windows server software, we got through it. Thank you to all who played a key role in getting that done, you know who you are.
The good news is that this will be a dry run for an even more major data overhaul that will occur much later next year. Having pushed all our engine users to this latest edition, it will make the transition to the next change much, much simpler. We found, as we were updating engine users, some were still using engines that were as old as 6 years. While the transition is wrapped up here in the U.S. we still have our Canadian customers to convert to the new software during September. In total, the data overhaul has delayed our work on the major overhaul for about 5 months.
The bad news is how much of our time, and the time or our internet engine users, has been wasted because someone decided he would rather pirate our software than pay for it. It's always the law abiding folks who end up bearing the costs of dealing with the law breakers. But there is a silver lining to the dark cloud. We now have a much better way to catch the next pirate who grabs our stuff. We will no longer have a big challenge identifying the source of piracy and we now have the means to end it quickly.
There were times, in years gone by, that people didn't need locks on the doors of their houses, because theft was not a common problem. People used to leave their keys in their cars. Today, no one thinks twice about having locks and security systems on the important things they own. Just think about all the cost, in time and money, needing to pay for all that security. What a waste.
For a couple of months we have been talking about a couple of VERY interesting Windows 8.1 tablets, one of which was the HP Stream (available in a 7" or 8" model). The 7" is selling for under a hundred bucks. Here are the current going prices for these devices:
Both devices run the full Windows version of Compulife and both are still, INSANELY cheap. But they are not alone, there are other tablets of various sizes and abilities. Check them out here:
We have made changes to make Compulife easier to use on those tablets. The big difference is the new way to put products into Pick 12. If our software detects a touch screen available, you can touch and hold on a product in the comparison, and then "sweep" your finger or stylus right. The movement of your finger or stylus will first display the Pick 12 Product List. With the list on the screen, click and sweep right again, and the product goes into Pick 12. It works super slick.
Note: Some customers have emailed and asked for the free stylus that we are sending to customers who ask for it, get your's by emailing service@compulife.com and giving us your mailing address.
TIP: I like to move the "Pick 12 Produce List" box, which lets you see the products you have filed, from the bottom right corner of the tablet screen to the top right corner. I then move the "Display Single Product" box from the top right, to below the "Pick 12 Product List". That lets me see the box easier, and I don't block it with my hand as I am filing products. If you don't know how to do that, give us a call.
I am very, very happy with the way this works. It gives subscribers, who have devices like these, the best Compulife software product in a completely mobile and autonomous environment. And with devices priced under $100, this is a NO BRAINER.
In that context, I found this article a really interesting read:
While the article's big story is the executive shake-up at Microsoft, the underlying significance is the determination of Microsoft to make Windows 10 an operating system that is used by all devices: computers, tablets, phones, etc. Given that Compulife has focussed on Windows software for over 2 decades, we like what we are hearing and looking forward to what is coming. For now and a very significant period of time to come, Compulife will deliver our best product experience for the Windows operating system.
We have a NEW referral program that you need to pay particular attention to.
If you introduce a new subscriber to Compulife they will get some FREE STUFF and so will you.
For your referral: FREE Compulife (including web quotes and 3 free zip codes listings) for 6 months (instead of the usual 4).
IMPORTANT: The standing offer of 4 free months is what we offer on our site. If you do not use the following referral form to order the trial, then your referral will NOT get 6 free months:
Your REWARD for the referral: A FREE zip code listing at www.term4sale.com until the end of 2017. That's $35.00 value ($1.25 X 28). You need to keep reading for more information about why this is more valuable than just $35.00. The sooner you get the referral started, the longer you will have that benefit of your additional free zip codes.
How does this work?
First, you must give us the referral using THIS FORM:
Second, your referral must install the 30 day free trial and complete the tutorial. If your referral does not complete the tutorial, you do not get your additional free zip code listing to the end of 2017.
Therefore, it is important for you to make the referral and then follow-up with your referral to make sure that they do the tutorial. Remind them that they get Compulife free for 6 months, which includes 3 free zip code listings at www.term4sale.com. They also get the webquote option for free for 6 months.
And folks, if the agent won't take the time to spend 10 minutes to learn to use software that will make them money, then they aren't worth our time or bother. That's why we need you to "ride herd" and get them to do that tutorial.
That may sound harsh but we have learned, after many years, that if people don't learn how to use our software (or any software) then they won't use it. And if you don't use Compulife, then you won't realize that it will MAKE YOU MONEY.
And those who use our software, KNOW IT MAKES THEM MONEY.
The ability for you to add FREE zip code listings is VERY important. FREE zip codes (you already have 3 free zip codes with your subscription) are important because they can BUMP paid listings in your local area.
Bumping zip codes is ONLY allowed in the first week of November. If you purchased a zip code listing that listing is secure to the end of that year. However, you may not be able to renew that listing the following year should that listing get bumped by someone who is in the local area of that zip code and who elects to use that zip code as one of their FREE zip codes.
Once again, bumping can only occur in the first week of November and will only take affect at the beginning of the following year. When you bump a paid listing we do not renew that listing for the person who previously paid for it. When there is more than one paid listing in a zip code, we bump the newer subscribers first. Those who have been in that zip code the longest have seniority.
IMPORTANT: To ensure that Jeremiah and Pat aren't overwhelmed with this process, Compulife will not be accepting new zip code purchases during November and December. This will freeze our current zip code listings to the end of December.
During the first week of November we will process the changes as a result of bumping. We will remove bumped zip codes from subscribers paid listings prior to the invoicing of renewals for 2016. Those who ask us to move their free listings into those other zip codes will have those moved listing appear in January, not before.
Further, after the first week of January we will remove those listings that were not renewed (paid) and post the new list to the www.term4sale.com web site. At that point you would be well advised to check the site to see if there are listings that you want, that have now opened up.
TIP: Make a note of this in your calendar. You need to check the January 2016 Update News very carefully, to learn the date when you can see the newly available zip codes. These will be sold on a first come, first served basis. Every year there is always a land rush as people swoop in to scoop up newly available zip codes in good areas.
That's why the referral program is SO IMPORTANT. If you can ADD free zip codes to your account, which are then paid to the end of 2017, it means that you can use those additional FREE zip codes, in the first week of November, to bump paid listings. Making referrals to Compulife is the ONLY WAY you can add additional FREE zip code listings.
For example, let's say that you refer 10 new agents to Compulife, and they all do the tutorial to get their free subscriptions to the end of 2015. You will receive 10 FREE zip code listings to the end of 2017 (a $375 value). For the balance of 2015 you can only select zip codes that are available. You can check to see what is available here:
IMPORTANT: In the first week of November you can ask to move those 10 FREE zip codes and BUMP 10 paid zip code listings which you would rather have (ONLY in your local area). Those free zip codes will be FREE to the end of 2017.
VERY IMPORTANT: When you come to 2018 you will have the right to keep those zip codes by paying to renew them.
Do you UNDERSTAND the value of this offer?
If it hasn't hit you by this point, try reading it again. If you still don't get it, call me (Bob Barney) at (888) 798-3488.
In becoming a part-time sales person for Compulife, it means that you can bank some FREE zip codes for 2015/2016/2017. Those zip codes can then lead to more life insurance sales through www.term4sale.com.
And this isn't that hard. After all, it doesn't take much of a salesman to give stuff away for FREE.
And here is why this is even more important. It is becoming more and more difficult for new subscribers to find good zip codes that are available. That means that your FREE zip codes are becoming more important because it often takes a free zip code to get a good zip code in your local area. The problem with that is that three is the limit of free zip codes with a subscription. After that you have to buy zip codes listings and they are on a first come, first served basis.
Therefore, the ability to get more FREE zip codes in your area is really important. It represents the ONLY way that you can get people who buy and renew the codes that they have in your area, bumped out of those listings. The time that you take to promote Compulife in the next few weeks can provide you with an enduring benefit with respect to insurance sales.
No doubt some folks who got in the listing game early, and who bought some of the best zip code listings, will be unhappy about this. Our advice for those subscribers is to take advantage of this same special offer and lock down a bunch of zip codes in their own local area, by getting those for free. That saves you money, and that locks down those zip codes. Our goal is to have a STRONG local presence in all the zip code listings. It's not that buying paid listing outside your immediate area is unwelcome, it's just more important that we have lots of subscribers able to derive sales from their own local area.
But we still have a problem. Even brand new subscribers who have three free zip codes to place, are finding it tough to get a good zip code listing in their area. Many are already full. New subscriber are being told that they have to wait until November to bump some of the paid listings, assuming that they have become a paying subscriber by that time. They have to settle for what is available until then. For that reason we still need to thin the herd and we will need to make some further changes to paid zip codes listings for 2016.
Second, we will decrease the maximum number of paid zip codes from 400 to 360 for standard license subscribers. The price for the zip codes over the personal use allotment (91 to 360) will be unchanged at $1.50 per month (times 12; $18 each per year).
NOTE: The number of paid listings is in ADDITION to your free zip codes listings. If you have 10 free zip codes listings, then you can add 90 or 360 to those 10.
The principle in making these changes is to broaden the number of Compulife players on the field. We DO NOT want any one customer capitalizing on the benefits of www.term4sale.com. We prefer that a majority of subscribers derive a benefit from the site, not just a minority getting a huge benefit. In the meantime we also hope to continue to grow traffic to the site. While we make the slices of the pie thinner, we are trying to make the pie larger. In the end it may mean you have fewer listings but they should still produce the same number of contacts and sales. That's our goal.