Pictures are worth a 1,000 words or are they

What is it about the pictures we all tend to put on our cards and advertising! I know that we are suppose to put our best foot forward and present a respectable and professional image. We all know that you can never make a second first impression or take back something you said that got you 2^nd place when working to get a listing. What I would like to know is what are your feelings or opinions when it comes to seeing a picture of someone who is a professional in a not so professional setting. I am not talking about those candid shots of me being pushed in the water while sunning at the beach with people screaming "he'll die if we don't get him back in!" what I am talking about is maybe during an outing or doing something recreational. Let's say a casual picture that represents you as a real person not just another pearly white smiled salesman in a sears sucker suit.

Posted by JD Castanon on 11/19/2009 05:06 PM

Comments (30)

30 Comments on Pictures are worth a 1,000 words or are they

NOV

I think a casual picture might attract a different personality type. Certainly if a seller is looking for an agent on line and they are thinking they want a professional, successful looking agent they'll probably call the agent with the pinstripe suit posed in front of his Bentley. On the other hand, another seller prospect may see your casual photo and relate to it better. This type of seller would be the personality type that would connect with you because your casual photo was taken in your fishing outfit by a lake and they love fishing so they'll call. Perhaps it's more about what personality you'd like to attract?

That would depend greatly on who the client is that is looking at that moment and what their mood may be and lots of other factors. Real estate is so competitive and agents do need to stand out somehow to differentiate from the rest. But I don't think a casual photo of sorts is the way that I would go.

In almost any profession, we as consumers want to higher a "professional" or at least what appears to be a professional...cause you never really know. But, if your only chance to get your foot in the door and a chance for an appt. Appearing to be a professional is the way to go.

How would you feel if your doctor or a family members doctor etc..had casual photos of themselves around?

JD...

I think the general population is tired of our Crap. Times change but as an industry we don't seem to. I've never liked the pictures to begin with. Suit or no suit, it doesn't matter to me. I think the Consumer just wants to work with a human and the pictures on our business cards portray the wrong message. It's not about us. It's about them. I believe the pictures are more for us than for them. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it :)

TLW...ROAR!

Hi JD - I don't think we need our pictures on business cards or advertising. It says nothing about our experience or competency in real estate, only what we looked like at that particular moment. On an 'About Me' page on our websites or blogs, I think casual photos (as long as they're not embarrassing or controversial) are appropriate because they let people see who we really are -- and peple like to do business with people they like.

I think people want to see the REAL you, I know I do when I am evaluating service providers. That said, my photo is formal, so I don't practice what I preach. It's on my to do list.

I took my photo off my card after I gained weight, figuring nobody would want to work with a fat agent? Yikes! I think I'll get on the treadmill now. =o

I have no problem with "casual" photos- there is a casual side of us, and our clients relate to that. If you want to appear to wear a suit from sunup to sundown, that's fine too- your clients will relate to that. There are enough clients to go around!

But "casual" should definitely be dignified and unoffensive! If you're having a problem defining that, you might want to be concerned!

BTH TLW: You MIGHT be wrong! Pictures on business cards can portray a 'right' message, and show that you're human. Works for us! (Steve)

Wrong...

Who me? I was wrong ONCE...LOL :)

TLW...ROAR!

JD andScott,

If people will go to fat doctors I think they will go to fat realtors.

LOL. Personally, I like fat doctors. When they say, "Lose weight." I like to make eye contact and wink at 'em.

Hey Brenda, you calling me fat!! I'm just short for my weight :)

I've always wondered why RE Agents need a photo of themselves on their business card to begin with. I would estimate that over 90% of the agents whom I've met had a photo of themselves on their business card.

Most other professionals I've dealt with don't practice that particular form of advertising.

This was rejected as my business card pic. (i liked it, but the wife flagged it) I lost.

All I can say is remember the sunscreen

JD, it might work for some but not for others. I have the buttoned up suit lady photo, but then my clients get to know me and they look at me funny when I am wearing one. They understand why the photo though!!!

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Hi JD~ Just about all of us have our photos on our business cards. I guess it just depends. The photo can be detrimental in some ways! I think you should use your photo at the beach, LOL!!

Jd~ oops sorry- Claude should use his photo at the beach.....

I've had this debate with other professionals on why the RE profession likes to use photos so much, everywhere...I personally have gone back and forth with using a photo and not using one at all. Here in the beach/resort community where I live and work, it's popular to use a beach/outdoor photo at times. I don't use a photo on my business cards, I just keep it simple. I don't honestly think it's necessary to use a photo of ourselves, but if we do use one, I think it should reflect the market in which you work. If you're target market is high end and upscale, go for a more formal photo...if you're market is beach and resort, you might consider an outdoor shot. I think it's all relative~ Nice thought provoking post!

Hi JD...Like most things you can give it a try and see how it works for you. If it does, great. If not scrap it fast!

Maybe all you folks that say no pictures still have memories but I auctioned mine off years ago before I got into real estate and needed money.

My philosophy is if there are any folks out there in my condition I want to give them all the help I possibly can to remember who I am. I plaster my photo every place. If that makes me unprofessional than I am unprofessional but at least I'm recognizable.

Keep smiling!

Kate

I don't think you need a jacket and tie, but t-shirt and jeans does not look professional. I also don't like when pets are in pictures.

I am always the picture taker and I don't like my picture being taken much, because all I ever hear is that's doesn't look like you, you are prettier. What do you you want me to do about it??

I have mixed feelings on this. I think it helps and hurts. I'm in my twenties and I do use my picture of my cards. I think it's great for people my age. But for older clients looking for a realtor, I think it hurts. They don't want a young "inexperienced" realtor. It's a catch 22. What do you do?

People identify with you as a person too. But some may be turned off if you are too casual

Depends on the niche you are after...depends on how comfortable you area..especially with video..if you are a Beach Boy tshirt and sneakers guy selling properties where you need a surf board..that's the look. Leslie Helms sells horse properties and has the hat, horse to go along with it. There are so many of us that being distinctive, unique and noticed is part of the rise to the top. Getting your voice, product, community put on the map. Don't do what the rest of the real estate herd does, do what you feel comfortable with, that works.

It is interesting I should run across your blog this evening, just after uploading a new profile photo to AR. I replaced my formal suit photo with something considerably more casual. As I look through the many responses to blog posts, I find myself more interested in the less formal, "real person" photos, that give me a glimpse into the personality of the person posting.

There are valid arguments for having a portrait on the card, and for not doing so. However, I find that many agents who have their photo on their card do not update it often enough. On many occasions, I have struggled to find a resemblance between the agent standing in front of me and the business card image from 30 lbs and 10 years ago.

I hope my branding conveys the right amount of professionalism mixed with the casual nature of our market.

Mike Weber Logo

Some one once told me that only Realtors can afford to have their pictures on business cards. I have often thought of having a set of cards without one.

I have had and still have card with and card without pics. I couldn't find a place to put them in a few of our card designs so I left them out! Haven't notice any difference other than the cards stand out in the crowd without the pic too. ~Rita

Having no picture is better than using something so old it could be a high school graduation photo.

Well this blog says it all! Void of words brought an awful lot of action! I like a good photo..put a name with a face. Jog my poor memory!

NOV

You make a good point, people just love pictures, especially pictures of other people.

I agree with Mark. Pctures jog the memory, but they should be current.

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JD Castanon

La Habra, CA

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Prudential California Real Estate

Address: 16218 E. Whittier Blvd., Whittier, Ca. , 90603

Office Phone: (562) 943-7266

Cell Phone: (562) 760-4860

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My blog is a combination of humorous rants and serious commentary. I will rarely be posting articles but on occasion there may be one of interest. I will at times post some tips that may or may not be something to think about. but mostly it will be what is on my mind at the time.

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