I live in the land of acronyms. Between the government agencies, contractors and military if it has three initials you had better know what it means. But even I was at a loss this morning while I was looking through Realtor® business cards from a recent meeting. Honestly there were some three and four letter acronyms that I had no clue what they meant and whether they were real or from a crackerjack box.
It raises the question about what message are we trying to convey with our business cards? Are we trying to impress a prospect with the number of initials after our name? Are we trying to impress our peers with the amount of education we have? If another Realtor® doesn't know what they mean, what does a consumer think?
Don't get me wrong, I'm a firm believer in education, the more the better. However the best way to impress way our prospects and clients is with what we do for them, not a row of acronyms on our business cards. At least that's this Realtors® opinion.
Lake and Lodge Realty LLC - Big Rapids, MI
Real Estate Broker, Serving Big Rapids and West Central MI
I have never had a client question how many accreditation's I have or would they care if they did. I agree with what message are they sending and to whom.
May 02, 2011 01:19 PM
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation
Hi Cindy, You have made a great point for us to consider. It means absolutely nothing to the clients out there. They are impressed with our knowledge and experience only. However, I did have a customer ask me a few years ago if I was an Accredited Buyers Agent. I wasn't at the time, so I decided to go a get that accreditation since I was working with a lot of buyers then.
May 02, 2011 02:03 PM
Ellicott City Clarksville Howard County Maryland Real Estate - Ellicott City, MD
Luxury service in Central Maryland
As a Realtor who has no letters behind her name I can say that I don't give a fig about that stuff. I am happy to let my sales volume, reputation and ability do the talking.
May 02, 2011 02:11 PM
Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon NY - Babylon, NY
"Moving at The Speed of YOU!"
Hi Cindy, you are right. If we don't knwo what they are then consumers won't. What we do for our customers and clients is important. So is educating ourselves but that is par for the course.
May 02, 2011 11:39 PM
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
Cindy-I'm with you. I have two masters degrees and if someone asked me to write a thesis again I wouldn't know where to start. However a CPA or MBA or PhD are initials most consumers would get, not CIPS or SRES.
May 02, 2011 11:41 PM
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
Cal-congratulations on completing your GRI. The education and knowledge exchange from the courses are what will benefit you the most.
May 02, 2011 11:42 PM
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
Gywnn-thank you for your comment. The proof in our success resides with our service to our customers.
May 02, 2011 11:44 PM
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
Stella-neither have I so it's a good question as to whether they care about the initials or whether they care about the services.
May 02, 2011 11:47 PM
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
Randy-thank you for stopping by. There was a point when I would say to a client oh I have CRS and it means xyz. Then I realized they didn't care so it's on my web page but that's it.
May 02, 2011 11:49 PM
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
Jerry-interesting. When a question like that comes up I wonder if it wasn't planted by another agent they had intereviewed. But good for you to go ahead and get your ABR.
May 02, 2011 11:50 PM
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
Ellie-no doubt that it is working for you. Congratulations and continued success.
May 02, 2011 11:50 PM
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
Jackie-education is what we should do to stay current and relevant in our jobs. It shouldn't be to try and impress a client or peer with how long we've sat in class.
May 02, 2011 11:51 PM
Diamond Partners Inc - Overland Park, KS
Overland Park Residential Real Estate
Cindy, I once saw a truia question from a consumer asking WHY agents use acronyms as if they are doctors. Too funny!
May 03, 2011 07:48 AM
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
Fairway Independent Mortgage Inc. - Woodbridge, VA
Queen of Mortgages - FHA, VA, Conventional, USDA
Hi Cindy, I totally agree. As a mortgage lender, involved with the indusrty, sometimes I don't know what all the acronyms mean...let alone a client searching for a home.
May 03, 2011 03:10 PM
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
Markita-hope all is well. I wouldn't even start figuring out the acronyms in your industry.
May 04, 2011 01:02 AM
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor
THERE! Somebody finally said it!!!! I feel the same way, some of these designations are indeed helpful, but some business cards look like alphabet soup!
May 04, 2011 02:06 AM
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a
Hi Cindy...I have some designations that I can't even remember what the intials are or its the other way around. I do know that I enjoy taking the classes. That's what is important to me. My GRI was the most beneficial course and that I finished back in 1987.
Kate
May 04, 2011 01:38 PM
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
Barbara Jo-education is important but alphabet soup is best eaten warm and with a spoon.
May 04, 2011 02:16 PM
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
Kate-your education shows in your professionalism and I'm sure your clients know it.
May 04, 2011 02:16 PM
Rainmaker
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Cindy Jones
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