Ego? Marketing? or Just 'cuz everyone else does it?

Here's one for you..we have a local agent who owns a bright yellow Hummer with his name all over it.  His lawn signs are the yard-arm type, with the basic company logo sign and about six riders attached below and above.  The riders feature his photo, his email address, his name,, his designations, his website and pretty much everything you could imagine about him (not the property, of course).  The guy isn't all that great-looking, but he loves seeing his face and his name in print.  The yellow Hummer reminds me of a clown suit.

I like your logo, Lane.  A logo does more to brand you and what you do than a personal photo.  I've never used a photo on my business cards.

I think the photo on the card thing begins when a new agent gets their first job.  They get their desk or cubicle, everyone comes over to welcome them and then the office assistant says "I need your photo for your business card".  It's almost automatic.

Hey Eric,

We have one of those here too.  She drives a hummer with her face plastered all over it.  And the logo and the whole bit.  Her hummer is black so it really stands out with the logo (I won't say which one).  I don't understand this idea.  Maybe they think if they're sitting at a red light someone just may jump out of their car and say "Look!  I finally found a realtor!  I've been driving around all day looking for one and by golly there she is!  Stop her, slow down, come back!"   LOL

I think there is a chance that people won't use you as their Realtor based soley on your picture if they see it before meeting you.  However, there are 1000 other reason for them to use you or not use you.  I use my picture because it makes me seem more like a real person, or that is how I feel

daniel

This type of marketing is the single biggest waste of money in our industry...Realtors who think they need to show that they are number 1 are worthless.

With so many options available to consumers, reminders need to be sent consistently. The person that comes up the most to a potential buyer/seller is usually the one they will remember and go with. 

The "Luxury Clues" had good info on not putting your picture in the website, flyers, etc.  I tend to use both picture and logos and give them as much information as possible.  As a new salesperson, I believe that might be good reasoning, since I'm a darker Italian/French  and it might give people a reason not to call.  So I think after a few months, I will phase out my picture and only use my logo.  Thanks for the info!!!

                                ;>) 

Wait a minute - eggs are bad again? Pardon my side bust here folks. This is a fun topic. I don't use pics on my car or signage... that seems over the top. I'm considering a knitted sweater with a photo for my attack cat.

For the longest time I was bald while my wife went through cancer. I was just starting out and I was told, against my will, to have a picture on my cards. So I took one outdoors in front of a beautiful flowering tree in the Spring... I looked like Kojack-ez with a big red, flowering earing. My smile was so big that my eyes were closed! It was great! I used it everywhere... website, flyers, cards and letters. I can honestly say that I did not get a deal off that photo!

Nowdays, my wife and I both have our hair back! We took a photo outside the BearPaw Winery in upstate NY 2 (or 3) years ago. Totally casual shot. No "glamor" there by any means! So I use it on my website, here on AR, and on flyers. I think I use it for my own sentimental reasons; that was our first trip post cancer and she is actually in the photo with me ( in the uncropped version). Not exactly a solid marketing decision!

I also have a separate LLC for short sales and there are no photos of me anywhere.  

Still no car wraps, no magnets or "List with Me" buttons. I don't think I get business from my mug shot. And, I don't know... but I would have to assume I might NOT get some business from it, as some folks do judge a book, so to speak. I think old engrained habits just die hard, refering to why I use a photo. I did get a stalker Agent call a couple months ago! That was sooo odd! I'm looking forward to getting my Brokers License and launching my own RE company and go logo, logo, logo all the way.

by the way... Broker Brian, I think I saw you on AMW last week ;-)

Thanks for the topic. Peace and be blessed!

Mike

My picture was taken last year and it already did not look like me anymore.  I JUST this week got a new one. And while my husband and I was out to eat at Bravo Cafe the waitress recognized me.  Thankfully not from my photo, but because I asked her many many months ago if she or anyone she knew was thinking of buying or selling real estate in the near future.  I was impressed she remembered me!  And glad it wasn't from that awful photo!

I don't have my photo on my card and to see it on my website you have to click to a profile page.

 Based on cards I see in homes when I show I'd say 90% of agents use a photo.  I can't say that a photo gives me any additional information at all - unless I were looking for a hot chick for a date. And I'm not.  My sweety says I'm not allowed to date.

 

 

I have my pic on my cards and website, but not on my signs. I think it makes things a little more personable. I used to be in a job where I was on the phone alot and only had a voice to put with the person. Its so much nicer to have a face to relate to.

Lane..... yp went there on the old glamor shot pictures...... It sad when a buyer will pick up a magazine and call the agent based on their looks and when they meet the agent in person they don't even rconise them. I was just in a meeting yesterday where i have herd this agents name over the past year and have seen photos... well i actually met this person and even I idn'treconise them.

Great post !  I think it should be  rule in place to prevent this practice. Seems like real estate and lawyers are the top professions to advertise with a photo. When I sold cars,I never even thought of this practice.

 

Lane:

 

I would vote no picture and for the Garagehomes domain. You know why!

 

Steve

Lane - what a great response, sorry I'm late.  We recently took our photos off of our business cards.  I believe that there is a time and a place for everything, I'm tired of the photo on everything look.  I'll let you know if this makes an impact in our business.

The new blog look looks cool.   Yes, pictures can deter people.......but remember....you are trying to be a marketer to a niche.....Not to everyone.  If you are marketing to a smaller group you will be more successful than being all things to all people.  I didnt want to do a picture on my marketing...Im glad I did.  Real estate is a people business....its a relationship business.  Now wherever i go people recognize me and want to do business with me.  If my picture wasnt on anything....i wouldnt have that jump start on the relationships..people wouldnt know who I am.

I wonder what that study would look like?  I think looks play a part of the decision. But image is equally a determining factor. Nixon lost because of TV (apologies to anyone who resembles that dude!) and ever since, it has been all about the packaging.

The big boys spend millions on brand recognition (hot air balloons, yellow coats, etc.) and it helps warm consumers up to the company. Locally, a great photo would seem to help. But PLEASE PEOPLE! keep them current! (the following is meant to make a point and not to disparage anyone in particular) I met an Agent over the weekend after reading this post and comments. I was handed her card by an Assistant as the Agent was talking to a potential client at a homeshow. I looked at the card and thought... "hey, she looks nice enough" and then as I looked up, she turned to me and smiled. I stepped back and screamed "Where's your grand daughter lady?" It was just too tramatic. I left the show right after that.

I figured the stark contrast was due to one of two things; first - No one on her staff has the guts to tell her to update her photo. Or, second - she simply got a great deal on a LOT of cards 20 years ago and is still working through the stack! Talk about creative advertising... we're talking bait and switch!