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Business cards - Don't leave home without them!

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Advantage

I was at a recent luncheon during Martin Luther King day recently and just inside the entrance door to the luncheon I heard a man dressed in a nice business suit ask a young professional looking lady for her business card.  She responded to the man by saying she didn't have her cards with her.

This past Tuesday at our office meeting, those of us that were on time were asked to place our cards in a hat for a drawing at the end of the meeting.  There were actually 2 Realtors out of about 10 of us that were on time that did not have their business cards with them.

Early in 2007 I wrote the post Is there marketing 101 overkill? This Lady seems to think so.  If you have not read this post it will amaze you what this Realtor has accomplished with the simple use of business cards.  I guarantee you if you read this blog you will never take the proper use of business cards for granted again.

It amazes me how inexpensive business cards are and 1)  How little thought most of us put into buying an eye catching card and 2) How many of us can buy 1,500 cards (to get a good price) and it may take most of us 3-4 years to go through that box!

Add a nice looking name badge to the look and you could be deadly!

Hellooooooooooooooo!  How can we get our name out to the public with our cards in the box at our office or sitting in the car???!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by

Native Idahoan and Boise Idaho Real Estate specialist serving Boise, Meridian Eagle, Nampa, Caldwell and the surrounding Treasure valley area of southwest Idaho. Specializing in residential, investment, land and commercial real estate. Search thousands of MLS listings at Boise Homes for sale and learn all about Idaho by visiting Search Idaho Homes

Rick Tourgee
Robert Paul Properties, Inc. - Provincetown, MA
Provincetown and Cape Cod
The business card is the lowest cost marketing item for an Agent.  An Agent should never say "sorry, I do not have a card on me".  Shame!
Feb 15, 2008 07:34 AM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate
Carol - I too am also amazed and agree it is very foolish.  Got your bags packed to Vegas my friend?
Feb 15, 2008 07:35 AM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate
Yep - like the rest above - I keep a stash everywhere!  I leave them at restaurants when I pay the bill, drivethru windows, you name it!  Great post!
Feb 15, 2008 07:40 AM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate

Rick - Well said!

Leesa - It's the best thing you can stash legally!  LOL

Feb 15, 2008 07:47 AM
Jill Wente
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate | Gary Greene - Spring, TX
Realtor, CRS, MCNE, CHMS
George: I keep business cards at my office, in my car, in my husband's car, in my purse, in my portfolio, and in my briefcase. Like the saying goes "Don't leave home without it"
Feb 15, 2008 07:48 AM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate

Jill - You got it going on my friend!

Feb 15, 2008 07:49 AM
Michelle Minch
Moving Mountains Design Home Staging, Pasadena, CA - Los Angeles, CA
Home Staging Los Angeles and Orange County, CA
George: I have business cards, and all my assistants have business cards. I encourage them to give them out freely. I give a bonus to any of my employees that generates business for my company. It is a win-win situation for the company and my employees. Thanks for the reminder.
Feb 15, 2008 09:50 AM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate
Michelle - Keep up the great work!
Feb 15, 2008 10:17 AM
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR
You are right about cards.  Sellers love to see those cards in their homes when it is shown.  I like being given a card with the agent's photo so I can remember them.
Feb 15, 2008 01:57 PM
Roberta LaRocca
Simply Vegas Real Estate - Las Vegas, NV
REALTORĀ®, Broker, Salesperson, NV. Lic BS.507
George, I always have lots of cards with me and I am ready to hand them out.  I also wear my name badge everywhere!
Feb 15, 2008 03:13 PM
Susan Jackowski
Lake Norman NC - Mooresville, NC
Lake Norman NC & Hudson Valley NY
If you have a smart phone your business card is always with you.  You do need extra for those who do not have a smart phone.  It is the way to go.
Feb 15, 2008 03:17 PM
Jim Patton
Aspire Home Real Estate 209-404-0816 - Modesto, CA
Realtor - Stanislaus ,Merced, San Joaquin Counties
George - I always have my cards with me.  ALWAYS.   But after reading the post you linked to in your post a light went off.  I have been doing lots of REO listings this year and have lots of bills going out each month for these properties.  As of tomorrow morning when I mail out the electric bills, water Bills, gas bills, landscapers bills etc , everyone of them are going to have a couple of my cards in them.
Feb 15, 2008 03:47 PM
Fred Carver Real Estate Consulant
Retired BC Realtor - Victoria, BC
Accredited Real Estate Consultant

Hi George..I love that story, it really sends everyone a strong message just get out there and hand out your cards!

I'm on my second box of 1,000 cards starting next week!

Feb 15, 2008 03:56 PM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate

Barbara - Right on my friend!

Roberta - You got it going on!

Susan - You are "Smart"!

Jim - Glad the light went off my friend!

Fred - Go for it my friend and watch your world change!

Feb 16, 2008 12:08 AM
Kelsie Compton
Triangle Choice Realty, Inc. - Cary, NC
Cary NC Real Estate

George,

I put on my name tag just to respond to your blog...

Thanks for a great article and for redirecting me to your previous post...I'm nowhere near 200 transactions/year, but knowing that I can be makes working hard everyday on the basics so much fun!

Best Wishes,

Kelsie
www.TriangleChoiceRealty.com
www.TriangleBuyerAgent.com

Feb 17, 2008 11:46 AM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate
Kelsie - Good luck to you and I hope you have an awesome year!
Feb 17, 2008 11:49 AM
Tamara Inzunza
Realty One Group Capital - Alexandria, VA
Close-In Alexandria and Arlington Living
I have business cards stashed everywhere! Two places in my car, throughout my purse/wallet, in my checkbook!  Since my new cards, which look like my website (http://www.movingtonova.com) they seem to go a lot faster, and they are printed on heavier, glossy stock.  I order boxes of 1,000 and have gone through two boxes in six months!
Feb 17, 2008 12:10 PM
Patricia Beck
RE/MAX Properties, Inc., ABR, GRI, SRES - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Realty
I agree, you need to keep them with you at all times because you never know who you will run into!  "Sorry, I don't have any business cards with me" sounds unprofessional.  I will read that post you recommended.  Thanks!
Feb 17, 2008 02:01 PM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate

Tamara - Good for you and keep up the great work!

Patricia - Thank you and you are very welcome.  Good luck to you.

Feb 17, 2008 02:04 PM
Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan
Samson Properties - Bowie, MD
I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES
I was like that I ordered like 500 business cards and it took me like a year to get rid of them. Last June,I ordered like 5000 and I even though I have like 2000 left,I should've been got rid of them. By the end of May this year,it should be gone. I need to put that in my business plan. Oh yeah,it is in my business plan. Great post.
Mar 01, 2008 01:56 PM