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Does the Dog on Your Card Help Your Business?

By
Real Estate Agent with California Lifestyle Realty DRE# 1780607

 

 

 

You have seen the Agent  cards with the Agent + Best Friend ... or the Mr. and Mrs. Agent + several Pooches....WHY?

Does this "animal included" approach help them sell homes?  Do fellow dog-lovers immediately dial their number-- over us "animal not included" Agents?  What about the people who DON'T love dogs?  What about the prospects who are allergic?

I love animals as much, if not more, than most people.  I own two very spoiled and over-indulged Siamese cats... but never once did I consider putting their picture on my business card!  Are Agents who put dogs on their cards more loyal and friendly ?   Would a cat on my card make me seem independent and aloof?  (I can just see me trying to pose for a photo with 2 squirming cats trying to escape my lap!)

To me the whole animal on the card is silly and a little exploitive... does your dog know you are using him for business?  Would he really like that?  Should you put your animal on your business card?

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Kathy Schowe   760.333.8886  California LifestyleRealty  California Lifestyle RealtySchowe Properties                                           

        

                  
                                   

Comments (21)

Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Dog, cat, horse, children, motorcycles and best of all, glamour shots that are 20 years old.  I've seen them all, and I don't get it either.  Myself, I decided not to have my mug on my business card.

Mar 27, 2010 12:16 PM
Steve McCoole
Mortgage Alliance Group - San Diego, CA - NMLS#305667 - San Diego, CA

Dog photo on the business card?  Maybe they think they can now take a tax deduction for dog food and vet bills . . .

Mar 27, 2010 12:17 PM
Loren Keim
Century 21 Keim - Allentown, PA

Cute article.  I've put horses on my cards over the years (for selling equestrian property).

Mar 27, 2010 12:19 PM
Joe Hansen
Joe Mortgage - Precision Mortgage Inc. - Phoenix, AZ
Joe Mortgage Team

cracks me up when I see pictures with animals or something else on the card that probably shouldn't be there.

Mar 27, 2010 12:25 PM
Kathy Schowe
California Lifestyle Realty - La Quinta, CA
La Quinta, California 760-333-8886

I actually came up with some pretty funny examples... or samples... but I did not want to reveal the agents... of course, they already know who they are!  Kathy

Mar 27, 2010 12:34 PM
Lisa Walston
Atlas Property Group and Abbey Church Properties - Greenwood, IN

I think this isvery individual. It's not something that I do, even though I have a dog, a cat, and 2 adored and adorable grandchldren. I don't think it's any worse than agents in goofy poses or wearing a trademark unusual piece of clothing. As a buyer, I don't think it wold impress me.

Mar 27, 2010 01:27 PM
Shirley Parks
Sands Realty 210-414-0966 - San Antonio, TX
Broker, 210-414-0966, San Antonio TX Real Estate

Hi Kathy, A while back I read that using animals, especially dogs, in photos is appealing to the consumer.  Actually, I don't even have a photo of myself on my cards! LOL What if someone is allergic to cats (like my hubby) then a photo of you with your cat might not be so appealing.

Mar 27, 2010 01:34 PM
Elizabeth Bolton
RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Kathy ~ While I've never done it (or seen it on a business card actually) my instinct is that it's probably effective. Nobody likes everybody - but enough people will be tickled by it and it's certainly memorable.

Exploiting the cat? Hmmm.  Now the kids - that might be another story. And actually - kids, cats, dogs - all good - photos that border on risque and seem better suited for Match or MySpace - that's not cool in my book.  But in the end - to each their own. Whatever works for ya.

Liz

Mar 27, 2010 01:52 PM
Ross Therrien
Prudential Verani Realty, Londonderry,New Hampshire - Londonderry, NH
Realtor, Broker Associate

I have a picture of the space shuttle taking of.  You can barley see it but its nice blue skies.

The Fall I use a mountain pass here in New Hampshire in the fall.  Picture of me is on the back so I know whose card I giving out.

Mar 27, 2010 02:19 PM
Anonymous
Kamboomski

I am in favor of professional business cards - and could you imagine if my favorite pet was a rat or a snake? A picture of one of those could be a career ender!! No, seriously go professional!

Mar 27, 2010 02:28 PM
#11
Dan Edwards 425-276-7008
Keller Williams Realty - Bellevue - Bellevue, WA

I would have to say pass on the pets.  You can be a pet lover and still be professional

Mar 27, 2010 03:19 PM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy

Instead of worrying about offending someone, why not worry about attracting someone?  One of my cards has a hot rod on it... it might be offensive to radical greenies.  Bummer.  I don't think I would work with someone because of a dog on their card, and I like dogs.  But, I also wouldn't put a bumper sticker of the breed of my dog (mutt) on my car.  And there are PLENTY of cars running around with those. 

Mar 27, 2010 04:39 PM
Kathy Schowe
California Lifestyle Realty - La Quinta, CA
La Quinta, California 760-333-8886

Thanks for all your comments-- it sounds to me like most people say "no" to pets on business cards.... so why do I still see so many of them?  Kathy

Mar 27, 2010 05:03 PM
Tom Boos
Sine & Monaghan Realtors, Real Living - Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
Providing the very best of service to Sellers and

Unless the name of the company was "Dalmation Real Estate", I wouldn't engage in this schlock. 

Mar 28, 2010 03:56 AM
Leslie Prest
Leslie Prest, Prest Realty, Sales and Rentals in Payson, AZ - Payson, AZ
Owner, Assoc. Broker, Prest Realty, Payson,

I doubt if it hurts- it makes people remember which is your card. (And no, I don't have one on my card).

Mar 28, 2010 05:51 AM
Kryste Adams
RE/MAX Key Properties - Luxury Homes, Golf Course Homes - Bend, OR
Bend, Oregon Real Estate

Good Question...I see a lot of them too.  Not really a fan either.  When I was a buyer and not a real estate agent I never called an agent with an animal on their card - thought it was strange.  It must be working for them though.

Mar 31, 2010 02:56 PM
Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

Yes. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Did I already say yes?

Don't be afraid to let your prospective Clients see that you are human, that you have interests other than real estate, that you might even have a pet.

It's no different from using your other interests in your blog. In fact, last November I got an extremely lucrative contract with a gentleman in London, England, because he found my various history posts using postage stamps as our history book. He's a stamp collector, albeit of British Postal History.

Jim Frimmer got a million dollar listing because I convinced him to put little music notes ♪♫♪♪♫♫♪ on his business card and marketing materials. The Sellers were downsizing, and they bought a condo through Jim first, and then had him list their beautiful Pacific Ocean view home in Point Loma. The wife plays piano and the husband plays the violin and cello.

I have many more Clients who use their horses, roses, dogs, cats, etc., on their business cards and marketing materials, all with success.

Anything that helps you connect, that helps you break the ice, is good!

Apr 07, 2010 04:03 PM
Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

This guy, a former Client of mine, gets tons of business because of his dog:

http://www.liveatthetop.com/

Apr 07, 2010 04:04 PM
Kathy Schowe
California Lifestyle Realty - La Quinta, CA
La Quinta, California 760-333-8886

I hear you Russel, but do you really think "Franky" on my card would help?  I just can't do it!  I use pictures of me swinging a golf club... and that almost seems corny to me.  I just don't know.  Thanks for all your comments!  Kathy

Apr 08, 2010 07:11 AM
Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

Hey, Kathy - If you don't like the picture of you swinging a golf club, just put a golf club on your business card, and a small picture of Franky.

My husband has gotten business from using little musical notes on his marketing materials and business card. ♪♫♪♪

Jun 01, 2010 03:42 PM