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Your Clients Use Your Slogan When Recommending You

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with RISMedia

I've loved reading some of the entries in Rich Naggar's Scratch the Itch with Rich Contest - what a fun way to get everyone to really think about how we're branding ourselves to new clients. But here's something else to consider: your clients WILL use your slogan when recommending you to others.

Whenever you use a slogan (i.e. “An agent you can trust”), you’re conveying a message. When you ask a client to recommend you, give a testimonial or write a review, it’s important to equip them with words that sell your services – and many clients rely on your slogan or website to come up with what to say.

“An agent you can trust” aren’t choice words. They may read well, but when seeking feedback from a client in the form of a review, they can work against you.

“An agent you can trust” could be misinterpreted by other potential clients reading that testimonial.  It might imply that the real estate industry is full of crooks, or that your competition is dishonest. Yikes.


Other common slogans that could be misconstrued:

“Your Real Estate Agent for Life”
(Do you really want clients to think that you’re going to be calling them nonstop? Or that once they start working with you, you expect them to keep working with you until one of you floats on?)

“Work with [city name]’s #1 Team”
(You may actually be number one in something, but it’s important to identify what that something is. That’s something clients will be inclined to mention in a testimonial.)

If you do have a slogan that’s similar to those I listed, don’t panic. You can change ‘em up to reflect accurate information. The key is to create short phrases that explain what you DO, not who you ARE. For example:

“I sell homes”
“I take the stress out of buying and selling”
“Let’s make home happen”

What does your slogan say about you? Would your client say the same thing in a referral?

 


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The preceding was adapted from RISMedia.com – original content can be found here.

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Comments(57)

Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Suzanne De Vita I had to chuckle when I read the "your realtor for life' which is so the 90's. I was a student of Joe Stump back then and if I remember right we had to be members in order to use that slogan. As everything, things evolve and change. Great shout out for fantasic contest created by Richie Alan Naggar Author PEARLS SERIES of books 

Sep 11, 2014 07:08 AM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

GOOD POSTING

May Fame, Fortune & Success visit with all of us...the sooner the better too

 

Sep 11, 2014 07:13 AM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Suzanne~ I'm still working on mine. We've had one in the past, but I never really liked it.

Sep 11, 2014 12:32 PM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

This is a never ending battle for me. I have used several different phrases on my site. I've been waiting to land on the right slogan before we have a logo created.

Sep 11, 2014 12:54 PM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Suzanne De Vita - well have to work on my post about my slogan - soon.

Sep 11, 2014 02:43 PM
Suzanne De Vita
RISMedia
Online Associate Editor

Roy Kelley - I love that! I'm positive it worked well for you.

Joe Petrowsky - You are far too kind! Thank you for your comments on my blogs. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Gabe Sanders - I agree. The slogan must be evaluated from several perspectives – colleagues, clients, prospects, the general public… it’s a lot to consider!

Conrad Allen – Short, actionable – perfect!

Joan Cox - The contest has churned out some really clever ideas. If it's really memorable, clients will use it when giving a testimonial. Thanks for your comment!

Sep 12, 2014 01:01 AM
Suzanne De Vita
RISMedia
Online Associate Editor

Debi Braulik – Thank you for your comment. Enjoy the weekend!

Eren Millam – I actually think “Doing what’s right for you” shows what you do beautifully. Though “Extraordinary service…” is great, too! Bravo to you for evaluating your slogan.

Marge Draper - If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! How interesting that someone else tweaked yours a bit. Thanks for sharing your story.

Dagny Eason – Lenn’s got a good one. The nice thing about these contests is they get us to think about things from a different perspective. Thanks for your comment!

Debbie Walsh – When viewing objectively, some messages don’t come off as intended. Thanks for your comment!

Sep 12, 2014 01:08 AM
Suzanne De Vita
RISMedia
Online Associate Editor

Robert Hicks – Thank you for your comment! Hope you had a fantastic week.

John DL Arendsen – I love that slogan! Perhaps you’re on to something… targeting different slogans to specific groups. I wonder if anyone’s done that. Thanks for giving us something to think about!

Pamela Seley, REALTOR® – Can’t wait to read it! Rich’s idea for the contest is great.

Kristin Hamilton – I think yours is fantastic – homeownership is so closely tied to the American dream.

Angela Jones – Thank you for your comment and thanks for the follow!

Sep 12, 2014 01:12 AM
Suzanne De Vita
RISMedia
Online Associate Editor

Gene Riemenschneider  – Committing to your agent is one thing, but the “agent for life” is off-putting. Thanks for your comment!

Marte Cliff – How interesting that your client knew immediately which words you were associated with – that’s a win in my book!

Terry McCarley – No way! That’s terrific. GREAT slogan!
:)

Russell & Tracy Lee Parker – Love it. I’m glad you’ve taken some time to think about how to best represent your firm with a slogan.

Kevin Mackessy – That’s what I pictured, too. Repeatable – I couldn’t have said it better myself!

Sep 12, 2014 01:17 AM
Suzanne De Vita
RISMedia
Online Associate Editor

Jill Sackler – I’ve often wondered about the “to be honest” opening. It’s important to actively search for ways that your slogan can be misconstrued, and take steps to correct it. Thanks for your comment!

Shannon Milligan, Richmond VA Real Estate Agent – The contest has given us all something to think about! Let me know if/when you make a change.

Ed Silva – Do let us know when you debut a new slogan!

Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor® – Brilliant idea to brand it with your name. I look forward to reading what the new slogan will be!

Anna Banana Kruchten – The 90s were good for a few things… but definitely not those slogans! You make some excellent points. Thank you for your comment!

Sep 12, 2014 01:23 AM
Suzanne De Vita
RISMedia
Online Associate Editor

Richie Alan Naggar Author PEARLS SERIES of books  – Hats off to you for a terrific contest! Hope all is well with you. Thanks for stopping by.

Donna Foerster – The contest has given us all incentive to take time and re-evaluate slogans. Do let us know when you come up with something!

Tammie White – Smart move. There’s nothing worse than marketing materials you can’t use.

Praful Thakkar – Can’t wait to read it! Thank you for your comment.

Sep 12, 2014 01:25 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

 Love your advice Suzanne. Your Realtor for life makes me gag a little. ;) I'm really trying to come up with something fresh and exciting - hopefully I will share it soon.  

Sep 12, 2014 07:17 AM
Conrad Allen
Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA
Webster, Ma, Realtor

Hi Suzanne.  I try to keep it pithy.

Sep 12, 2014 08:16 AM
Bill Reddington
Re/max By The Sea - Destin, FL
Destin Florida Real Estate

Certainly lots of slogans out there. Have to use what works fpr you. We just try to treat eveyone like family.

Sep 12, 2014 03:02 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Suzanne - Finally getting to read your post.  I agree 100%  Although NAR prohibits me from saying I'm a "GREEN realtor" It's all over my car because that was my tag line as an EcoBroker before earning my GREEN designation.  I'm in a pickle!  

Sep 15, 2014 06:53 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Suzanne, sure love your sage advice! I have used "Your Gateway to the Lake" for about as long as I've been in real estate. Not only do I list and represent buyers for most of the transactions, but I am also someone whom they call for advice, resources, information about what's happening up here if they haven't been able to come to their vacation home...you NAME it. 

It feels welcoming, and I teach them so much about the history and the day-to-day STUFF about Fishhawk Lake, that it just fits! 

Sep 15, 2014 02:40 PM
Suzanne De Vita
RISMedia
Online Associate Editor

Debb Janes – I’m looking forward to reading what you come up with! Thank you for your comment. Hope all is well with you!

Bill Reddington – You’ve got a smart slogan. We just had another broker, Thad Wong from @properties in the Chicago area, present how he advertises by using familial imagery at our CEO Exchange last week. It works!

Jan Green – That may have something to do with the greenwashing effect you described to me. Hey, if it works!

Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Realtor (503)755-2905 – You’re truly a local expert – and your slogan reflects that perfectly. Hope all is well with you!

Sep 16, 2014 12:09 AM
Vanessa Saunders
Global Property Systems Real Estate - White Plains, NY
Real Estate | Done Differently

Here's my secret on slogans. Write them to the reader's point of view. They want to know "What's in it for me?" For example, "State Farm is there," "BMW: The ultimate driving machine," McDonalds "I'm Lovin' it." "Gateway to the Lake" is another good example. Speak to the reader and avoid hyperbole and bragging, "Best realtors in the world" means absolutely nothing.

Sep 17, 2014 05:56 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Suzanne

When our customers recommend us using our slogan that a big step in the right direction.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Sep 19, 2014 12:40 PM
Winston Heverly
Coldwell Banker Access Realty - South Macon, GA
GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA

This was a wonderful read, glad I came across it in the archives. Thanks for sharing.

Apr 01, 2015 06:58 AM