“Internet” and “books” are two very comparable terms as both provide valuable information but are vastly different when we compare the time they each take to provide the information. The internet is now considered to be the most powerful information tool available to humankind. The internet is provided to users through servers that are located all over the world, and one can go to any website of his or her choice to find relevant information.

In the same way, MDRT has its own website, which provides proper assistance to all new as well as existing members in acquiring more knowledge about navigating the website. Our main aim is to increase member and industry participation, and for that it is necessary for an individual to know all the minute details that are found on the website.

You can use the following information from the website to help you understand what MDRT is all. MDRT’s site, mdrt.org, provides assistance on how to become a member of MDRT. It has a login page where individuals can provide all the required information about themselves in order to become a registered member. Once an individual becomes a member, he or she can take advantage of all the necessary information that is needed to know more about the website.

Under “My MDRT,” there are a number of links, such as “Member Toolkit,” which says: “MDRT membership is very valuable — but not just to you. Share the value your clients receive as a result of the innovative ideas you can access as a member. Use the resources included in this toolkit to promote your practice and communicate what your membership means for your clients.”

Quick Links under Member Toolkit

Presentations: “Use our brand promise messaging and presentation materials to share the benefits of MDRT membership with your clients and respond to questions to better promote yourself and your practice. Explain the value to your clients with Harris Poll survey data condensed into customizable presentations that are relatable regardless of where your client is financially.”

Under “Presentations,” there are downloadable subcategories, such as:

• MDRT Brand Promise Messaging Guide
• Code of Ethics pledge
• Code of Ethics brochure
• Client Membership Promotion presentation
• Community Involvement presentation
• Life Insurance presentation
• Disability Insurance presentation

Social Media: “Share customizable social media posts to promote your membership achievement, expertise and/or business. To gain maximum engagement, include a link to your personal practice website for current and prospective clients to visit.

“Continue to promote the benefits that your clients and prospects will receive from your expertise using third-party, credible data from MDRT consumer surveys. You’re encouraged to modify the pre-populated content to include personal experiences while better communicating your practice and personal brand.”

These include:

• Membership social media images
• Membership Achievement images and social media content
• Court of the Table and Top of the Table social media content
• Life Insurance social media content
• Share your Community Involvement social media content
• Infographic social media images
• Financial Wellness infographic social media content

Practice Promotion: “Whether you would prefer to customize a prewritten news release, place an ad in a local publication or connect with a designed email template, your message will be received. Communicate with clients and prospects that you are here to help them reach their financial goals using the innovative ideas and tools accessed through MDRT.”

In addition to other email and advertisement templates, these include:

• Member Achievement press release
• Court of the Table Achievement press release
• Top of the Table Achievement press release
• Grant Recipient press release

Tip Sheets & Advice: “Represent yourself and your business well when you talk to the media, speak in front of a crowd or post on social media. These tools offer insights on how to craft your social media presence, polish your interview skills and promote yourself to increase interest in you and your practice.”

These are:

• How to build relationships with the media
• 10 quick tips for talking with the media
• Newspaper interview tips
• Radio interview tips
• Television interview tips
• Ways to promote yourself
• Tips for crafting the perfect Twitter bio
• Tips to optimize your LinkedIn profile
• Writing social media content
• How to take and share videos
• Public speaking and presentation tips

MDRT Store

You can find different types of products, and information is provided on how to purchase them online.

Mentoring

All new and upcoming members can get proper guidance and can also be mentored by experienced senior members for future endeavors.

“Round the Table”

This gives all the details about “Round the Table” magazine.

MDRT Podcast

This gives a digital audio file in various languages for easy and simple understanding.

The MDRT Blog

This has a regularly updated page that is written by various individual members in an informal or a conversational style about their past or ongoing experiences with MDRT.

MDRT e-Newsletter

All newsletters are published in an electronic form.

MDRT Foundation

This is the charitable arm of MDRT whose mission is to “provide funds to worthwhile charitable organizations throughout the world.”

It is very important for an individual who becomes a member of MDRT to have proper access to the website. It helps to build credibility with clients and influencers in this field. Because it is user-friendly, members who visit our site will have a proper experience that will encourage them to see themselves as a credible resource for information and services. Many times, people overlook various, important information that can be beneficial for them in this field only because they do not learn how to use the website. The attached presentation gives a detailed method of operating the website. [visual] Thus, acquiring proper access to the website gives you a chance to gain more knowledge that can help you grow and build up your goals.

Sukanta Singha Roy, CFC, FSS, is a five-year MDRT member who has helped thousands of people in need of financial planning in various aspects of their lives such as children’s education, retirement planning, tax savings and legacy building. He spoke at the 2016 MDRT Annual Meeting, the 2016 MDRT Experience and Global Conference and the 2018 MDRT Day in Indonesia.