To have a photo on your business card.....or not?

This is a very interesting topic Kirstin.  I too have heard both arguments, and after much deliberation, decided to add a picture to my business cards.  The visual cue that the picture provides when people are looking at my cards later, outweighs any of the negative impacts that could come from having the picture. 

I have tried using both with a photo and with out I personally like using a photo because remembering a face is alot easier then trying to remember a name. Great post

I am pro picture.  You are marketing yourself.  You may give out a card today to someone who may not need a realtor until a year or two later.  I want them to remember me.

Kirstin,

Good post!  I'm a huge fan of the picture.  My current business card has a black and white photo so it's kind of muted and not as intense as some of the color photos I've seen of my colleagues.  Also, put those business cards on magnets and you'll stand a much better chance of ending up on someone's fridge instead of "File 13." 

Christopher

Definitely would advise having your pic on your card.  People usually remember faces a lot better than names. 

My business card has a color photo. People forget easily. I din't like that idea, however if you are in real estate, you have to make a lasting impression. I liket pictures that show face only, I've seen so many with full body or half. I personaly think the face shot should be enough.

 Marina Kocian

http://www.OwnYourHomeAZ.com

Photo or not to photo thats the question? Absolutely with the photo!!! Consumers are visual and have short memories as do we all. How many people do you meet in a day, a week, a month? You may have given your card out 3 weeks ago in the grocery store line and that person puts in their purse or wallet. Well while emptying out the clutter of cards and receipts out drops your card with potentially a few. Who's is going to stick out a card with a color picture or a card with the Company name being the most recognized thing? Your photo! With all our busy lives we need to give constant reminders.. isn't that a drip system thing?!?

Marina is right - face only. I look at cards when I go into a showing and it's interesting to see the photos and how many don't have any.

Kristin:  Your photo reminds me so much of my great friend Lesley who relocated to San Fran a few months ago.  She is so missed.

I had my photo on my cards for a few years, but my current batch does not have it.  The next batch will, since I have confirmed that I have gotten business because a client thought I was handsome and boyish looking even though I am hitting 30.  Hey, I am up for whatever helps me sell houses...

Well, I have a different take on the picture thing. The front of my card has the basics but I put the "eye catcher" on the back. It makes for conversation and they REMEMBER ME. Here's the back of my business card.

I like a photo because I'm trying to market me.  If I have no photo then the only graphic is Coldwell.  However, I've known women who didn't like having photos on their cards as a safety issue.  They felt that if the wrong guy saw it that they could be in danger.

I walked into a listing appointment a few months ago and the seller (male) has used several agents in our area. The one thing the agents all had in common is they were all beautiful women! He was refered to me by a long time client. needless to say, I didn't get the listing. I don;t know of anyone who will work with him in our area. Spooky!

If you sell recreational property, I'd use a logo or photo that says recreation instead of a photo.  For example, if you sell equestrian properties, a horse logo or photo of a horse leaping a fence in the background of a card might work well.  If your niche is waterfront properties, a sailboat, motor yacht, anchor or something similar might be best. 

Photos on cards are, at best, a neutral contribution to marketing.  How many consumers will see an agent in public and say "Hey, I recognize you from a business card I saw pinned to a bulletin board"?

By the way, why did they pull your points for this post?

I'm 100% in agreement with Eric.  People remember things by the process of "association"...doesn't necessarily have to be a picture of "you".  I print my own cards on my HP using PageMaker and change the back all the time.  We also sell a lot of Lake property and I print the back of the lake on those cards and customize the front.  Make's it look like "we're the specialists".

I would vote for the photo.  My wife and I work together and we have one business card for both of us.  One photo, 2 names, 2 cell phone numbers & 2 e-mail addresses.

Brian Bartley