For Alliant National’s Tracy Pace, title insurance remains a passion.
Many find it difficult to remember what led to important phases of their careers. Tracy Pace doesn’t have that problem. Her journey to the title industry began during a national tragedy that forever imprinted itself in our collective memory. “I had been working as an executive at a New York-based cosmetics company,” she said. “After September 11th, our business declined, and I began to consider a career change.” This was an all-too-common situation at the time, as New York’s GDP dropped precipitously following the attacks and many professionals evaluated their options. However, it wasn’t long before a silver lining appeared. A recruiter contacted her about a job with a title underwriter, an opportunity which ironically transformed this dark moment into one of the brightest periods of Pace’s career.
The title industry, it turned out, would prove to be a great fit for Pace. It offered her the chance to make a tangible and positive impact on its many stakeholders. This continues today in her role as Alliant National’s South Florida Agency Manager.
Of course, Pace’s transition to the title industry wasn’t without its challenges – nor was it instantaneous. “I reluctantly took the job only after considering it for several months,” said Pace. “That’s primarily because, in the beginning, I knew very little about the industry.”
Over time, however, she came to learn the ins and outs of the business, developing a passion for title insurance by taking on a “diverse range of responsibilities” that kept her “challenged and engaged.” Once she joined Alliant National, she found ample opportunities to apply this drive for the benefit of the underwriter’s agents. “Every day I get to help our agents grow their businesses, start new businesses, the list goes on,” she explained.
Given the many challenges the average title agent faces today, being able to rely on passionate and accomplished professionals like Pace is critical. “The industry is currently experiencing dramatic upheavals, with advancements in technology and data accessibility driving rapid transformation. There are also more stringent rules around compliance, consumer protection and privacy,” she explained. At the same time, consumers are increasingly valuing businesses that prioritize human connection.
As a seasoned professional with many years of experience under her belt, Pace understands these competing interests completely. She also knows how to equip agents with everything they need to navigate both simultaneously and thrive.
For instance, Pace works hard to ensure agents know about the various tools, resources and knowledge Alliant National provides to its agent community. “Alliant National has invested in cutting-edge fraud prevention tools like SecureMyTransaction, as well as ongoing education to help agents spot and mitigate threats,” she said.
Pace also encourages others to never lose sight of the importance of relationships in the industry. She is adept at helping folks build the connections necessary for creating shared wins while achieving robust growth. “In this industry, relationships are everything,” she explained. “Whether you’re working with agents, clients or internal teams, being reliable, approachable and responsive creates lasting, meaningful connections that are the drivers of mutual success. It’s also essential to show integrity in every interaction – big or small.”
Although it may have begun on a somber note, Tracy Pace’s career in title insurance has proven to be anything but. For over two decades, she has applied her passion to meeting agent needs and helping them excel while navigating an ever-changing field. Alliant National’s agents can rely on her extensive experience and expertise as an invaluable resource to build the business they want and deliver the service their customers deserve.
We’re honoring agents who played a critical role in safeguarding buyers and sellers throughout 2024.
It is famously said that “crime doesn’t pay.” Unfortunately, in the digital age, the opposite is often true. Fraud is a major problem in our industry, and a sad reality that many title agencies have to deal with. Yet a lot can be done to stem the tide and prevent financial and reputational harm. One strategy that Alliant National has deployed quite successfully is its Crime Watch Program. As The Independent Underwriter for the Independent Agentsm, Alliant National collaborates with its agents and incentivizes their efforts to detect, deter and prevent crime. The program has been very successful over the years, preventing millions of dollars of monetary loss. Continuing our New Year’s tradition, let’s review the 2024 program data and explore additional steps agents can take to foster a safer industry.
A persistent challenge
As we wrote last year, the problem of fraud within the title insurance industry is not going away. New digital tools are making the scammers’ job far easier, and victims often wind up paying a high price. Reporting from the previous year suggests Americans are defrauded out of billions of dollars every year due to wire fraud. The Senate Banking Committee recently wrote, for example, that those consumers lost approximately $10 billion in 2023 – up 14% from the year before.[i]
An all-of-the-above approach
Of course, as any seasoned agent knows, there are numerous strategies that can increase transaction safety and mitigate risk. Some of these include:
Whenever possible, speak with clients directly to better confirm their identity.
Deploy cybersecurity best practices like encryption to protect the integrity of wire instructions.
Take a communicative and collaborative approach within your agency to ensure that critical details are never missed and that more people are looking out for relevant red flags.
Stay apprised of the latest cybercrime schemes that fraudsters are using to steal money and harm transaction stakeholders. Currently, one of the most common schemes is seller impersonation fraud. You can read about it in this great blog by Alliant National’s Chief Claims Counsel.
Continue educating yourself and your agency co-workers by taking advantage of continuing education classes offered through platforms like Alliant National Academy.
Leverage fraud prevention technology platforms. Solutions like Alliant National’s SecureMyTransaction can play a powerful role in reducing transaction risk.
Remember that if something feels off with a transaction, it probably is. Always trust your gut, your experiences and your expertise.
Underwriter + agent = A united front
In addition to the strategies outlined above, participating in Alliant National’s Crime Watch Program can help agents protect themselves, their businesses and their customers from fraud. The program rewards Alliant National agents to the tune of $1,000 each time they successfully stop a fraudulent transaction from going forward, thereby reducing the cost of claims. It also encourages agencies to work closely with their Alliant National underwriters when a suspicious transaction arises. Often, fraudsters will be less successful in pulling off a scheme if there are multiple sets of eyes on the transaction.
A crystal-clear impact
As last year’s Crime Watch data shows, this is clearly an effective approach to stopping fraudsters. In 2024, Alliant National agents prevented liability exposure of $5,075,000. Title agents stopped seller impersonators, prevented illegal fund diversions and recognized cashier’s check scams. Here’s the list of agents and agencies recognized by Alliant National for their fraud prevention efforts as part of the Crime Watch Program in 2024. We thank each of them for their dedication and commitment to promoting a safer industry.
Lone Star Title Company of El Paso, Inc.
Recipient: Joe Fernandez
Texas Secure Title Company, LLC
Recipients:
Gretchen Wright
Renee Hicks
Ashley Cleveland
Lizzie Angle
Professional Land Title Company
Recipient: Debbie Dicus
Manatee Title LLC
Recipient: Nikki Vantilburg
Matthews & Matthews, LLP
Recipient: Tammie Fleming
People’s Title, LLC
Recipient: Lara Burris
Alpha Title Guaranty, Inc.
Recipient: Joshua Carter Randol
Providence Title Company
Recipients:
Melissa Mutchler
Kathy Montes
Karla Allen
Cathy Bennet
McGill Escrow & Title, LLC
Recipient: Debbie Bello
Asbury Land Title, Inc.
Recipient: Jessica Taylor
Burke Law and Title LLC
Recipient: Beth Henry
Brick City Title Insurance Agency, Inc.
Recipient: Janeil Campbell
Suncoast One Title – Port Charlotte
Recipient: Jill Barberine
Select Title & Escrow, LLC
Recipient: Patricia Moore
First International Title, LLC
Recipient: Lucy Gomez
Keep fraudsters off balance in 2025
As a new year begins, now is the perfect time to recommit yourself and your agency to stopping fraud. This can seem like a tall order given the scope of the problem. Adhering closely to best practices and collaborating with your underwriter, though, are important ways to make progress toward this goal. Alliant National’s Crime Watch Program is a prime example. It highlights how the best path forward is the one where we all work together.
Want to learn more about Alliant National’s Crime Watch Program? Start here.
Here’s how you can take your marketing to the next level this year.
When you work in marketing for a while, you quickly realize that nothing stays the same for long. Back in the 1990s, for example, unsolicited bulk emails were the order of the day. Then in the 2000s, many businesses became notorious for keyword stuffing to juice their SEO stats. Each of these went out of style for various reasons, but mostly they boil down to changing technology, regulatory and customer factors. This underscores how important it is to keep your agency’s marketing practices aligned with the latest best practices. Let’s look at what that means for your agency in 2025.
I. Embrace AI-driven marketing
You’ve likely heard this, but artificial intelligence (AI) must be top of mind in this relatively new year. AI applications can significantly improve the way an organization does business, providing personalized and productive solutions across a company. Title agencies have a lot to gain by incorporating this technology into their marketing. Whether it be with AI-powered chatbots, analytics or content creation, there is no shortage of use cases. Collectively, this can lead to improved customer interactions, better business insights and more engaging marketing overall.
II. Emphasize authentic content
At the same time AI is upending how we do business, customers are increasingly drawn to companies that put good, old-fashioned human authenticity front and center. In practical terms, this means speaking openly about your company’s values and showing integrity by taking consistent action. The business rationale for this is obvious. If you aren’t seen as authentic on something as fundamental as your professed values, why would anyone believe in any products or services you’re selling?
III. Prioritize customer data
Closely connected to these points is the power of data. Even though AI is rapidly making content creation easier and cheaper than before, it won’t benefit your marketing efforts if it isn’t relevant to your audience. To put it another way, AI can’t learn about your customers and your business on its own. You must train it. Without addressing data infrastructure and making improvements, AI applications will lack the insights needed to succeed.
IV. Prioritize local SEO
As a title agency, chances are the majority of your business is highly localized or regionalized. That’s where a strong local SEO strategy comes into play. To begin appearing in more localized searches, optimize your Google Business profile by ensuring all data is accurate and up to date. Then, keep an eye on local reviews of your business. People often make purchasing decisions after visiting review aggregators like Yelp, so it’s important to monitor user reviews and respond appropriately. Finally, consider whether to optimize for voice search. Voice-enabled devices are now mainstream, making it critical not to overlook this channel.
V. And, of course, video
While not necessarily a new trend, video remains one of the most important marketing strategies today, and if you aren’t using it in your marketing, you may be missing a potential opportunity. Here are some ways to incorporate video into your marketing efforts.
Educational content: Create educational videos that address common customer concerns. Explaining the title process, outlining closing procedures, or emphasizing the importance of title insurance are all potential topics on which to base a video.
Client testimonials: While it’s usually best to prioritize educational content over promotional content, that doesn’t mean you can’t pitch your agency and its capabilities. One powerful approach is the client testimonial. People often want to hear from others about their experiences before doing business with a company. A polished client testimonial is a great way to bolster consumer trust that can lead to a deal.
Behind-the-scenes content: Remember, people like to do business with people they like. Creating videos that go “behind-the-scenes” is a great way to humanize your brand and make potential clients more comfortable working with your agency. Video also pairs well with social media and can increase your impact on several of the top platforms.
Make 2025 your year of marketing success
2025 is here, and with it comes an opportunity for title insurance agencies to refine their marketing strategies and stand out. The marketing field is evolving quickly, and staying ahead means embracing innovation. By embracing AI, prioritizing authentic messaging, and utilizing tools like local SEO and video, you will be able to position your agency for success in the new year.
Longmont, CO — (October 16, 2024) — Alliant National Title Insurance Company, the title insurer that is uniquely responsive to the needs of independent agents, is excited to announce that it has hired Valerie Grandin as Vice President, Senior Underwriting Counsel Florida.
Grandin brings with her a wealth of experience in title insurance, real estate, management and business strategy. She comes to Alliant National from a national underwriter, where she oversaw strategic initiatives, served as the primary point of contact for lender agreements, created agent and counsel training programs and coordinated regulatory compliance projects. In addition, she helped agents expand their capabilities and grow their businesses, while also leading continuing education programs for underwriters and examiners.
In her new role as Vice President, Senior Underwriting Counsel Florida, Grandin will have a full slate of responsibilities. Chief among them will be to develop educational programming and partner with Alliant National’s Florida agents to increase their market share through unique business development strategies and product offerings.
“I have been blessed to work with and know the team at Alliant National for many years,” said Grandin. “To be joining them now as the market is on the cusp of expansion and when Alliant National has assembled a great team, is a dream come true. Highly professional, agent focused and people-centric, it is a tremendous place to excel in an industry I love so much. Great things are ahead as we work together with our agents to drive greater business success.”
“Valerie is a consummate professional and a true industry leader. We couldn’t be happier to welcome her to our growing team,” said Jeff Stein, Chief Underwriting Counsel at Alliant National. “With her extensive experience in underwriting, education, management, compliance and business development, I know she will do great things for our agents and play an important role in the future of Alliant National.”
Grandin is an active member of the American Land Title Association (ALTA). She is also a member of the Florida Land Title Association (FLTA), where she serves on the Government Affairs committee, which is currently working on the new 2025 FinCEN rule. In addition, she sits on the Advisory Board of the University of Miami School of Law LLM in Real Property Development. As the only underwriting counsel on the board, she has a front row seat to the most cutting-edge changes and developments in the Florida commercial real estate market.
She received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law.
Blogging consistently and strategically can elevate your business.
They say that there are no certainties in life aside from death and taxes. If I had to add one more, though, it would be the value of a good business blog. Data from Hubspot clearly supports this, with a recent study showing how companies that blog earn three times more organic traffic[i] than those that don’t. But before you jump into blogging, it’s always wise to put a strong strategy in place to ensure you gain maximum value. Let’s look at what this entails.
1.) Decide on your blog’s goal
A successful blog starts with a clear goal. While every company is different, most businesses focus their blog on providing education and resources to their target audience. Title companies would be well advised to do the same. By delivering valuable content that educates your audiences on topics meaningful to them, you will raise your brand’s reputation. Better yet, you will be seen as a trusted resource that stakeholders can turn to in times of need.
2.) Develop your content
Next, start planning the content you will create. As a title agency, your stakeholders include realtors, attorneys, home buyers and more. This gives you a wealth of topics to draw from to create educational blogs and other resources. The importance of title insurance, industry cybersecurity concerns or agent/realtor partnerships could all serve as great topics to build content around. Whatever you write, always keep your content laser-focused on solving problems for your target audience.
3.) Make a plan with a content calendar
It is not uncommon for a business blog to get neglected in the hustle and bustle of running an agency. You can avoid this problem by deploying a simple content calendar. Content calendars assist with keeping your content development efforts on track and ensuring a consistent posting cadence. They allow businesses to easily track what type of content is going out to which audience, while facilitating internal alignment, consensus and accountability.
4.) Vary your content mixture
When building out your blogging strategy, vary the type of content assets you are creating to foster greater reach and engagement amongst your audience. You have probably heard the expression that “a picture is worth a thousand words,” and that holds true with marketing. While pure text blogs are a must-have for agencies, data shows that assets like infographics and especially videos are far more effective in connecting with digital-first audiences. If creating visual content isn’t feasible, add variety with text-based formats like FAQs, listicles, and how-to guides.
5.) Optimize for SEO and readability
Remember to optimize your blog content for both search engines AND human readers. Obviously, this can be a tricky balance to strike, but it is not impossible if you adhere to the following tips:
Headlines: Your headline is one of the most important parts of your blog. Use primary keywords within the title text and keep it as clear, concise and compelling as possible to ensnare readers.
Paragraph structure: Aim for no more than four sentences and use subheadings to create a logical flow for both search engines and human readers.\
Subheadings: Further increase your SEO by utilizing secondary or tertiary keywords in subheadings, which can also break up blogs for readers by making them more scannable.
Images: Don’t forget to align your images with SEO best practices by creating optimized ALT text descriptions. And double-check that your images are of high enough quality to engage readers but not too large where they slow down a blog’s load time.
6.) Metrics are your blog’s best friend
As you begin to publish, keep a close eye on your metrics to continually refine your strategy. Most mainstream blogging platforms offer robust analytics to provide valuable insights. This data is invaluable for those wanting to know the ideal time to post, where their audience is coming from, and which articles are resonating.
It’s blogging time!
In a world where marketing trends are always changing, blogging continues to be a great tool for businesses wanting a low-cost way to connect with customers and build a positive brand reputation. However, like any marketing effort, your blog needs a solid strategy to succeed. From setting your initial goal to keeping a close eye on metrics, getting a blog up and running requires several steps. Once you implement these steps, the rewards will be well worth the effort.
This blog contains general information only, not intended to be relied upon as, nor a substitute for, specific professional advice. We accept no responsibility for loss occasioned to any purpose acting on or refraining from action as a result of any material on this blog.
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