personal branding: Why Savvy Agents Brand - 10/07/11 05:25 AM
Why Savvy Agents Brand
I’ve been flooded with questions and comments about real estate logos and branding in the last 30 days.  We had such positive response to our recent “before and after” contest … and it made me realize that I need to talk about the power of branding more regularly.
I’m a proponent of branding because it works.  Branding your business will increase the success of your business.  That’s why my company offers branding and design services to our clients.
I want to be very clear on my next statement.  I don’t talk about branding because my company … (13 comments)

personal branding: And the Winner Is... - 09/30/11 10:00 AM
And the Winner Is...
Recently on our blog, we announced a branding “before and after” contest. We asked our readers to submit their branding for a design makeover and revealed the finalists on September 1st. We gave our readers two weeks to vote for their choice.
Well, I’m thrilled today to declare the winner of our contest – Francine Viola!
The results of our poll, as determined by our Zebra Report readers, were:

Readers really responded to Francine’s original comments, which I want to share with you:

“Some people may equate violins and classical music to being stuffy and high-brow, but I … (2 comments)

personal branding: Your Branding Questions ... Answered! - 09/19/11 10:23 AM
Your Branding Questions ... Answered!
Many of you have emailed with questions about how to get started on branding, how to determine what level of service you need, and whether or not your branding should also be part of your website.
So let me try to answer as many of your questions as possible. Here goes:
Q: Lots of companies, and yours too, seem to offer different levels of service when it comes to design. There are template designs, and then there is custom work. Which do you recommend for agents? - Caryn K.
A: In an ideal world, every … (0 comments)

personal branding: Fresh From The Lones Group’s Instant Image Gallery: "Fireside Chat" - 04/20/11 06:20 AM
Fresh from The Lones Group's Instant Image Portfolio: "Fireside Chat"
Our “Fireside Chat” brand evokes a sense of calm, while the use of various shades of brown reinforce a feeling of safety and security.  A sliver of red brings the brand to life – offering just that little touch to ward away the expected and keeps this brand from being too predictable.
Whether you want to develop a completely custom brand, or select from one of the amazing designs in our "Instant Image" portfolio, we are here to help.
Interested in learning more about developing your custom branded image? … (0 comments)

personal branding: New from The Lones Group Design Team! - 04/12/11 10:19 AM
New from The Lones Group Design Team!
Toren's direction on brand development made it clear that we absolutely, positively had to incorporate his love of water.
Having formerly served in the navy, it was important that the brand be both conservative and strong. We incorporated Toren's love of sailing with clean lines and we incorporated an "all-American" palette which is a nod to his military service.
We think Toren's brand perfectly captures his key personality traits of dependability and loyalty.
Whether you want to develop a completely custom brand, or select from one of the amazing designs in our "Instant Image" … (2 comments)

personal branding: Fresh From The Lones Group’s Instant Image Gallery: Investment Portfolio - 03/29/11 07:52 AM
Fresh From The Lones Group’s Instant Image Gallery: Investment Portfolio
“Investment Portfolio” is a great example of a “layered” look in a design.  The strong color palette features the prominent use of blue – a color that embodies a sense of trust and security.  If you’re looking to develop a powerful image, “Investment Portfolio” would be a great brand for you!  It’s just one of the many options available in our Instant Image portfolio of designs.
Whether you want to develop a completely custom brand, or select from one of the amazing designs in our “Instant Image” portfolio, we are … (0 comments)

personal branding: New from The Lones Group Design Team! - 02/23/11 06:32 AM
NEW FROM THE LONES GROUP DESIGN TEAM!
The business model Brian Housley has developed is a bit different than that of many real estate agents. Because many of his clients are purchasing simply for investment, it was important to Brian that his brand reflected his core values of experience, credibility, and trust. Although Brian’s brand is more “institutional” or “corporate” than many of the brands we develop for agents, it’s a perfect reflection of the message he wants to project to his target client base.
Whether you want to develop a completely custom brand, or select from one of the … (1 comments)

personal branding: The Evolution of a Brand - 02/18/11 06:46 AM
THE EVOLUTION OF A BRAND
In case you haven’t noticed, the Zebra Report has been given a makeover. Even zebras need to be freshened up from time to time! Basically, this is called a branding update. It’s not changing the components, or the message, or the primary colors – it’s giving our brand a tune-up. A makeover. Our zebra has enjoyed a day at the spa.
Companies do this all the time. Two companies in particular – Coca Cola and Pepsi – have done great job of brand evolution over the past 50 years. Their marketing gurus know how to take a look … (7 comments)

personal branding: New from The Lones Group Design Team! - 02/11/11 08:00 AM
NEW FROM THE LONES GROUP DESIGN TEAM!
A warm, welcoming feeling was at the top of Janet Nation’s “must convey” list when we consulted with her on her branding project. With key words of “approachable” and “genuine”, she insisted on a brand that was not too formal or overly designed. The fireplace, which is a key element of her brand, immediately brings to mind both physical warmth as well as the warmth of the relationships Janet develops with clients.
Whether you want to develop a completely custom brand, or select from one of the amazing designs in our “Instant Image” … (2 comments)

personal branding: New from The Lones Group Design Team! - 02/02/11 07:29 AM
NEW FROM THE LONES GROUP DESIGN TEAM!
David Oser has a sterling reputation in his market. Known for his no-nonsense, yet gentlemanly approach to the business, David asked us to create a brand that would reflect those qualities. Because David wanted to leverage his relationship with ReMax, we selected a color palette of blue and white, accented with red. The result? A brand which clearly positions David in exactly the way he wishes to be perceived by potential clients!
Whether you want to develop a completely custom brand, or select from one of the amazing designs in our “Instant Image” … (0 comments)

personal branding: Fresh From The Lones Group’s Instant Image Portfolio: You Can’d Handle This Design! - 01/27/11 04:23 AM
FRESH FROM THE LONES GROUP'S INSTANT IMAGE PORTFOLIO: "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THIS DESIGN!"

Are you looking for a design that immediately creates a sense of stability? Our “You Can’t Handle This Design” design, which is part of our Instant Image palette, does just that! A strong, but soft, palette is the first step … and it’s reinforced with the star element in the design.
Whether you want to develop a completely custom brand, or select from one of the amazing designs in our “Instant Image” portfolio, we are here to help.
Interested in learning more about developing your custom … (0 comments)

personal branding: New from The Lones Group Design Team! - 12/08/10 08:20 AM
NEW FROM THE LONES GROUP DESIGN TEAM!

A dedicated oenophile – or wine lover – Jim wanted to incorporate his love of wine into his marketing materials, while still maintaining a classic and elegant feel. The use of black, with the outline of an elegant wine bottle, perfectly incorporated this feeling.
Whether you want to develop a completely custom brand, or select from one of the amazing designs in our “Instant Image” portfolio, we are here to help.
Interested in learning more about developing your custom branded image?   We can help with that too!   Please call us at 360-527-8904, or … (2 comments)

personal branding: Fresh From The Lones Group's Instant Image Portfolio: Understated Black - 11/24/10 04:48 AM
FRESH FROM THE LONES GROUP'S INSTANT IMAGE PORTFOLIO: UNDERSTATED BLACK

“Understated Black” is one of the many extraordinary brands available in our Instant Image design portfolio.  Dramatic and sophisticated in nature, “Understated Black” is sure to set you apart from other agents in your marketplace.
Whether you want to develop a completely custom brand, or select from one of the amazing designs in our “Instant Image” portfolio, we are here to help.
Interested in learning more about developing your custom branded image?   We can help with that too!   Please call us at 360-527-8904, or send an email to support@thelonesgroup.com to … (0 comments)

personal branding: Fresh from The Lones Group's Instant Image Portfolio: Floral Watercolors! - 11/17/10 05:51 AM
FRESH FROM THE LONES GROUP'S INSTANT IMAGE PORTFOLIO: FLORAL WATERCOLORS!

Artistic and natural in feel, “Floral Watercolors” is one of the beautiful designs featured in our “Instant Image” portfolio of brands.  It’s another great example of the wide range of branding options available on demand.
Whether you want to develop a completely custom brand, or select from one of the amazing designs in our “Instant Image” portfolio, we are here to help.
Interested in learning more about developing your custom branded image?   We can help with that too!   Please call us at 360-527-8904, or send an email to support@thelonesgroup.com to … (0 comments)

personal branding: New from The Lones Group Design Team! - 11/11/10 04:29 AM
NEW FROM THE LONES GROUP DESIGN TEAM!

Monte and Jim are excited about the launch of their new website, SelectSeattleHomes.com. A natural extension of the custom “Signature” brand we created for them, the site allows Jim and Monte to position themselves as experts in their marketplace, capturing the attention of both buyers and sellers.
Whether you want to develop a completely custom brand, or select from one of the amazing designs in our “Instant Image” portfolio, we are here to help.
Interested in learning more about developing your custom branded image?   We can help with that too!   Please call us … (0 comments)

personal branding: Fresh From The Lones Group's Instant Image Portfolio: Swirl Savvy - 11/10/10 05:00 AM
FRESH FROM THE LONES GROUP'S DESIGN PORTFOLIO: SWIRL SAVVY

Creating a brand which is both elegant and eclectic can be a challenge … but “Swirl Savvy” fits the bill! Part of our “Instant Image” gallery of designs, this brand is perfect for the agent who wants to push the envelope … just a little!
Whether you want to develop a completely custom brand, or select from one of the amazing designs in our “Instant Image” portfolio, we are here to help.
Interested in learning more about developing your custom branded image? We can help with that too! Please call us … (0 comments)

personal branding: New from The Lones Group Design Team! - 11/04/10 07:32 AM
NEW FROM THE LONES GROUP DESIGN TEAM!

Last year, we created a custom “Signature” brand for Chuck David that perfectly reflected his calm, consultative, and unflappable demeanor. This year we translated that brand to Chuck’s website, providing him a venue to showcase his talents to a wider audience via his website, www.charlesedavid.com.
Whether you want to develop a completely custom brand, or select from one of the amazing designs in our “Instant Image” portfolio, we are here to help.
Interested in learning more about developing your custom branded image?  We can help with that too!  Please call us at 360-527-8904, … (0 comments)

personal branding: Fresh From The Lones Group's Instant Image Portfolio: A Little Whimsy - 11/03/10 06:40 AM
FRESH FROM THE LONES GROUP'S INSTANT IMAGE PORTFOLIO: A LITTLE WHIMSY

Who can’t use “A Little Whimsy” in their life?  This fun and fresh brand is perfect for the agent looking for a brand that’s not traditional in nature.  Sure to be memorable in the minds of clients, “A Little Whimsy” is just one of the effective brands in our “Instant Image” portfolio.
Whether you want to develop a completely custom brand, or select from one of the amazing designs in our “Instant Image” portfolio, we are here to help.
Interested in learning more about developing your custom branded image?   … (0 comments)

personal branding: Upgrade Yourself from "Salesperson" to "Expert" ... With Four Essential Marketing Pieces - 10/04/10 06:37 AM
UPGRADE YOURSELF FROM "SALESPERSON" TO "EXPERT" ... WITH FOUR ESSENTIAL MARKETING PIECES
There is so much false information out there about marketing.  With the advent of the internet, even more bad advice has been written and published than ever before about what you need in your marketing toolbox.
“Denise, I’m so confused”, agents tell me.
And I don’t blame them.  Every inexperienced “expert” with an opinion gets a pulpit on the internet.  They spew advice that they probably got from a marketing book from the library—written by someone who hasn’t been in the trenches for years and doesn’t know what really … (5 comments)

personal branding: The 7 Deadly Sins of Branding ... And How to Avoid Them! - 08/13/10 05:56 AM
THE 7 DEADLY SINS OF BRANDING ... AND HOW TO AVOID THEM!
When it hits your eye, you can’t help but groan.
Or perhaps it’s so unremarkable that it doesn’t register with you at all.
Those are the effects of bad branding.
Rarely do you see an agent whose branding is so unique—so different—that it stands out above the rest. That memorable brand clearly articulates who the agent is, what the agent specializes in, and the level at which they do it.  And it motivates you, as a consumer, to want to work with that agent.
Branding is the one area of … (0 comments)

 
Denise Lones, CSP, MIRM, CDEI - Real Estate Coaching & Branding (The Lones Group, Inc.)

Denise Lones

CSP, MIRM, CDEI - Real Estate Coaching & Branding

Bellingham, WA

More about me…

The Lones Group, Inc.

Address: 2200 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham, WA, 98225

Office: (360) 527-8904

Join Denise Lones each week as she looks at the world of real estate and the world at large from customer service to the importance of listing presentations in a one-on-one style. Denise has more than 20 years of experience as a successful agent, broker, trainer and coach. Denise is someone in the know when it comes to real estate.



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