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99 Comments on Anonymous No More...What Face Recognition Gains for You
That is so cool Ginny! I've had a moving van for years and when I go to the grocery or home depot, I'm forever getting from kids, "hey you're the bald guy on the truck!"
Ginny ... It's great that you are getting some face and red shoes recognition - is that fame? - from your blog or local activity articles.
When I was in real estate it was here in my small town - so people would often come up to me in the grocery store or at the post office - "I know you. You're Marte." Then they'd start asking questions about real estate. (Or sometimes about the fireworks fund or animal rescue or some other project I was involved with.)
We not only put our pictures in our newspaper ads (Yes, this was a while ago) but we worked at doing something newsworthy often enough to get pictures with news stories.
Face recognition is one reason I believe all agents should have a good likeness on their business cards. When someone is hunting for an agent to call or to recommend, unless they know you well they'll recognize your face faster than your name.
I am one of the newest realtors in a very small town! It's amazing how many people recognize me, but they do not know that I am a realtor until I tell them. Then they will say, "Oh, yeah...I recognize you from picture in the local newspapers." I'm working on changing that, but it takes time!
Ahhaa, the real self. Yes, I will remember that with my every blog.
Don't know if it is fame but it certainly due to the blogging and localism articles and my love of the waterfront in RI! It is finding what works
I am down Ginny. And I'm also thouroughly impressed that you responded to my comment so quickly, And on a Saturday too!
Look at you go!!! Good on ya, as my Kiwi friend used to say.
That is so cool to have a 'personal brand' or a brand for your career. Very wise and creative. Thanks for sharing your story!
Fortunately, or unfortunately, we are our own brand. Now we know how those movie stars feel -- always having to be "on".
Great story... I wish we had a Trader's Joe in Hawaii, they do have great gourmet food items.
Nothing like Trader Joe's except Whole Foods which is just wonderful...made my pilgrimage today...always on...oh no, i'm not...when i'm wearing my blue jean shorts...
Yep our picture is getting out in a lot of ways. Posted right next to me on the Google Search.
Congratulations on the feature, Ginny. Also, terrific post and a great reminder to be on your toes when out and about, whether you're in sneakers or ruby red slippers. If you have just started blogging, as I have, or are a veteran......sooner or later someone is bound to recognize you and you want it to be for the right reasons.
Ginny - glad to hear people recognize you, and you are consistent with your appearance. I have had clients actually argue with me that I am not the person on my business card. More than once. I like to change my hair style and color and I have small features ... I would have been a great comedic impersonator on Saturday Night Live. Unfortunately, my changeable appearance is a negative in my real estate career.
I can remember one client transaction where a woman gave me the impression she thought I'd taken her money ... the Initial Deposit on a one-year lease in the form of a cashiers check made payable to the broker (not me). I thought it was very odd considering I only use the statewide contract which has my name at the bottom every page (thank you Zipforms) and we had done all the paperwork in the real estate brokerage office. It wasn't until she mentioned my Agent Photo on my business card, that I realized she didn't think it was me on my card!!! *lol*
I like being able to go to the grocery store or Lowes with my husband without being recognized and interrupted. I like having blonde highlights in the hot 115-degree summer months, and I love wearing my hair red during the holiday months (isn't red hair beautiful with a warm green sweater?). Regardless, I am now trying to "tone it down" and keep my hair color closer to light brown year-round *sigh* ... I'd never hold my doctor, dentist, or insurance agent to one "look" but I am learning, a consistent look does seem to be best practice in the real estate business. Fun post - hava great day!
Thanks for this post. I've had a good laugh as it has brought to mind situations where I'm recognized... Also, it shows that agents need to have their face and name out there in their community. Being annonymous leaves you in the dark...and this is not where you want to be.
Five years ago, when I switched to REMAX, I put my face on my signs, started advertising big time and boy, does it make a difference. I show up for showings and the vendor says, I know you! I must say that I like that, as it shows my efforts of getting known in my market are paying off.
Yes the trip to the grocery store and Home Depot have changed. Gone are the days of going in my sweats and bedraggled hair. I meet clients and colleagues all the time, the ones I actually know, and then the trip is social hour, and the ones who give me a smile of recognition and a hello, and I'm left wondering if my memory is starting to fail me, until I realize that they don't know me personally; it's the advertising at work.
So much for annonimity, when I head out, I try to look the part, otherwise it is a hat and dark sunglasses... Greta Garbo, you're my hero. And yes , the hairdresser knows that she has to keep me looking like the photo. Being known saves me from trips to the grocery when my husband asks me to go get something: sorry honey I cant be seen loking like this, I need to wash my hair...,works like a charm!
Which reminds me, why are there still agents out there using what looks like their high school photo? What is the point? When the client meets you they will not know who you are and you end up looking like a fool for trying to look 30 years younger than you really are...Now that is embarrasing. A professionally done photo is the best investment for your image.
BTW, my business cards do not have a photo. I have been asked many times why? I found that my cards are more distinctive without the photo and I figure this way maybe they will stand out from the many others clients pick up at open houses. But maybe I'm missing an opportunity here...
I think it's great that you were recognized. I've been conflicted on this issue myself. My site is 'unbranded' in terms of having my face all over it. Yes, I can be found in the 'about me' section. I'm working hard to get the LOGO recognized. For me it would be great for the brand name to get known well enough that I could get out of the actual business of selling real estate (i,e, retire! someday) and not have the brand connected specifically with me.
Hi Ginny, you are so right and this is becoming truer everyday. This is a good thing if you are broadcasting the right messages.
Cute!! I think I'll have to get me some of those red shoes. I knew I needed something for folks to associate with my face besides the random mix of my beautiful bride, five children and 12 grandkids who always seem to be sharing my stage.
Well it can be a mixed blessing and i'm not the wild thing i once was so usually do not have anything to worry about...but we need to remember we are always in the public eye...i haven't had a bad situation yet in being recognized...i hope that is always so! as well for you too
Wow, that's great! Being recognized at the store must mean you are doing something right.