Web search engines like Google™ and Yahoo!® are powerful tools, but they can provide too much information if you are just getting started. We have assembled a short list of sites relevant to our industry. Some of these sites are neutral resources; others belong to companies selling their services. American Modern does not vouch for the validity of the content of any of these sites or endorse any promoted products. We provide the links for information purposes only.

Internet Development Tools:
If you develop your agency Web site in house, you can learn a great deal from these sites:

www.goodpractices.com - collection of general best practices for Web site design and links to other sites.

www.informit.com - discussion of blogging

www.informit.com - large collection of material on Web design

Blogs:
Blogs exist in that space between news and opinion. They are informal in presentation, and are commonly maintained by a single person, although company sponsored blogs are becoming more common. Updates are frequent, even daily. The subject matter depends on the interest of the publisher and likely is wide ranging. We include just a few links to give you a flavor of the blogosphere.

insurancelife.blogspot.com - news oriented.

specialtyinsurance.typepad.com - focuses on specialty insurance.

www.dougsimpson.com/blog - focuses on legal issues.

Industry:
Many industry associations have publications or Web sites with marketing ideas.

www.iiaba.org - Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America

www.iiaba.net/iamag/ - magazine for the IIABA

www.imcanet.com - Insurance Marketing Communications Association; check the news articles

www.insurancejournal.com/resources/links - huge list of links related to Property & Casualty carriers, Life & Health carriers, MGAs & wholesalers, Vendors, and Organizations.

www.pianet.com - National Associations of Professional Insurance Agents

www.ultimateinsurancelinks.com - just what it says

Marketing:

www.insureme.com/content/agent-home/resource - great list of practical tips.

www.agencyideas.com - company specializes in marketing support for the insurance industry.

www.insurancenewsletters.com - company specializes in marketing support for the insurance industry, focus on newsletter and Web content.

www.insworkz.com - company specializes in marketing support for the insurance industry, focus on Web development.

www.roughnotes.com - good magazine.

www.imarketingmanagement.com - company specializes in marketing support for the insurance industry.

www.salesforce.com - tools for automating marketing campaigns.

Market Research Tools:

www.surveymonkey.com - company offers on-line tool set to design, complete, and analyze survey findings.

www.surveysystem.com - company specializes in survey design; the research section has some useful free tools and advice.

Odds and Ends:

www.insuranceisfun.com> - humor.