I think much-too-much is made about the importance of business card design. Most real estate business cards look the same. There's head shot, a huge logo or team name and maybe something on the back of the card like "I appreciate referrals."
My current card has no photo. Just want to do the opposite of everyone else. My name-- which is kind of memorable-- (John March)is prominent and in an unusual font...could be a very good brand in and of itself. Since I switched brokers, I didn't spend a whole bunch of time with design and just selected the template and mashed the order button--yes, the back of my current card does say: "I appreciate referrals."
Enough about my crumby card.
I am not saying that Business Cards should be overlooked as a marketing weapon--and it would be better to have some kind of "FREE OFFER" on the back side of a card with a web site address, for example--rather than the obvious reminder to give me something I covet (referrals)--which are on the backs of millions of cards handed out by other realtors.
Truth is, no one cares as much about our business card is we do! More thought might be put into HOW we can generate leads with this simple device rather than glitzy graphics.
We might spend much more time thinking about HOW we're going to get other peoples business cards. And not be so concerned about handing ours out--they usually get pitched anyway.
We could do some "walk-around marketing.." meet the doctor, lawyer, store owner, dentist, small service business owners--
BUT WE DON'T HAND THEM OUR CARD!!
"Gosh, I don't have my cards with me, I'll send it to you, may I have yours...
--Get THEIR cards--most of these folks have real estate that they own--they may want to sell or that may want to own more of it.
Now, we have an excuse to SEND our card to the new contacts with a "thank you, nice meeting you, let's get together for coffee sometime." This initiates the new relationship."
That card has all kinds of info on it--like an email address--which you can use later on--after you've started to build a relationship--
--If their is an email address, I would not begin to immediately drip emails. Rather, this would be followed up with snail mail. Why? Let new found suspects get to know, like and trust you. Let them give you permission to email information and offers to them-it's the long way around, but once they're on your email list, they're more likely to stay, if you're providing information of value.
And it all starts not with forgetting your business card (literally--leave them home) and getting suspects business cards.
P.S. I do have a suggestion about design and graphics: We should make contact information easy to find and SEE. (I hate it when I can't read the telephone numbers or have to hunt for a fax number, as I am trying to type the info into my database.)
Comments(5)