I was reading a blog on AR about not knowing where your next client is coming from. (Good blog and comments by the way.) I remembered an experience I had as a new agent with a name tag.

I was late for an appointment with an HR type to present some material for relocation. The office was located in a business park where there was also a railroad.  I saw where the office was and crossed the tracks. As I started to pull into the parking lot I noticed a blue light in the rear view mirror. "Damn...now I'll really be late." I pulled over. The policeman came to my window and asked for my drivers license and registration. Which I promptly tendered. He then asked if I knew what I had done.  I told him I did not have a clue. He informed he was a cop for the RR and I had crossed the tracks without coming to a stop. I said "what tracks?" I really had been oblivious and then followed up with "your kidding... the RR has a police force?" He said he was the entire force in our area and covered three counties.  He also told me the cost of the ticket was $220 (UGH). We chatted a little and then he noticed my name tag on the sport jacket I was wearing (up to this point my opinion of name tags was best described as "DORK" and I was only wearing it because of the appt). He asked if I sold Real Estate I said sure. He then said "Perhaps you can help me. I can't seem to sell my house". I asked if he had it listed. He said no. I said "that might be your problem." So we discussed the house and the market (now I am really late). Seizing on an opening (no dim light here) I asked if I could come out to do a CMA and discuss listing. We set a date for the next day (Sat). He then said..."well I guess if we are going to be working together giving you a ticket might not be a good way to get started". Naturally I didn't argue! I made the Sat appt and got the listing, which subsequently sold and I also arrived at the HR office only to find that my appointment had called in sick and they had left a message on my home phone about an hour before. Some days the Real Estate Gods smile on the newbies...

Oh yeah...I wear my name tag a lot more now...including going a whole day with it upside down...but thats another story.