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RULES OF BUSINESS CARD DESIGN

By
Real Estate Agent with CIR REALTY

I was reading an great article by LOGOWORKS - talking about mistakes made on business cards. 

I think as REALTORS we've seen our share of bad cards.  Like the one above.  Too many words, the photo isn't great and what the heck is the wording all about.

The LOGO is important and the placement.  I was talking to a Advertising Desinger who works with big corporations to establish their branding.  He gave some great ideas for my business card. 

Proof the heck out of your card before you order it.   Mistakes can be missed.

If you can afford it, have a designer create a card for you.

Pay for a printer to do up your cards.  They have the access to professional cards, not a ink jet printer at home.

Make sure your card isn't trying too hard.  Like all the wording on the card above.  It's just too much.

Keep your FONTS consistent- don't mix them up.  Do you need to tell people that its your email, and website.  I mean in today's market - we can tell what they are.

I've used VISTA  PRINT for my cards, they do a pretty good job.  They have templates already made up for most industries.  Just type in your information and they are shipped quick.  They offer so many deals and discounts.  (They also have a design team ready and waiting if you need one designed.) Affordable.

Good luck out there - get a updated photo - anything older than 2 years...is out of date.  If you had hair in your photo and you don't know its time for a new photo.  If you were 30 in the photo and you are now 50 - get a new photo.

I'm on my 7 business card, and YES - I keep changing my hair color.  BUT mostly I like to keep current and up to date. 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS - YOU only have 30 seconds to make one....MAKE IT GOOD.

 

Posted by

REALTOR®

Make it Airdrie  ~ Terri Stephens ~ CIR REALTY

403.827.4663

 

 

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Terri, If you are going to have a business card, make sure it up to date, not to wordy and a recent photo. Lot of good things in your pos.

Margaret

Oct 10, 2010 03:44 PM
Linda Hinson
S & L Properties - Calabash, NC

I agree.  Dogs, kids, and hats have been worn out.

Oct 10, 2010 03:45 PM
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

Thanks for the tips. What do you think about NOT having your picture on your business card? I'm just curious what other agents think of this practice. But if you do, I agree, the photo should be current.

Oct 10, 2010 03:51 PM
Terri Stephens
CIR REALTY - Calgary, AB
REALTOR, Calgary & Airdrie 403-827-4663

I was told by 2 VERY successful Real Estate Agents - ALWAYS have your photo on your business card. They can't be wrong - both do over $400K in commission per year...

I have had more business from my photo - from my friendly smile to (don't laugh) nice hair.

Whatever, it works.

Oct 10, 2010 03:59 PM
Ryan Smith
Keller Williams Energy Real Estate Brokerage - Pickering, ON

Great post. Thank you for sharing. I know alot of people who have some pretty questioinable cards... I always felt if someone is willing to cheap out on something like a business card, what else will they cheap out on?

I like photos on my cards because people will stop, look at the picture, and register it in their head as to who you are. If you hand someone a card with out a photo it tends to just get lost in the shuffle.

I read that you should always jot something down on it. People are less likely to throw out a card that someone took the time to write on. So even if you jot down an email address or an extra phone number...

Oct 10, 2010 04:11 PM
Keenan Tameling
Libertas Holding Inc. - Calgary, AB

My advice would be to design a card that is you. 

Too many real estate agents have the typical company cards.  Talk about being lost in the ma-laze of non-uniqueness.  In sales they always talk about 'your' unique selling proposition, but when your card looks like 300,000 other agents cards how unique are you really?  There is a scene the the movie American Psycho that is over the top about personal business cards, but the point is made.

If your card is you it will appeal to people like you.

I always wondered why Realtors have their pictures on their cards more than any other industry?  Maybe it is the uniqueness factor.  Only one of you, but so many realtors to choose from.

Oct 14, 2010 12:53 PM
Larry Beck
PrintAgent.com / Pixel Perfect Design - Downey, CA

Great post.

YOUR BUSINESS CARD IS THE HANDSHAKE YOU LEAVE BEHIND.

Oct 14, 2010 08:55 PM