Using and Updating Photos on Your Business Cards

While attending John Prescott's Internet Lead Generation class, John was raving about the successes of one attendee that sat in front of me. I said to myself, "I have to get this guy's card. I'll be picking his brain in the near future." Luckily, my new business cards had just arrived in Columbia.

After taking a trip during lunch to the Market Center, I was able to grab my shiny new business cards and return to class in enough time to exchange cards with Austin Crowder from Brevard, NC. (Austin's wife is Alisha. She joined Team Crowder in 2006.)

Austin looked at my card and said, "I know you from somewhere. Let's see. It's something that starts with a Z.....Zolve! That's it! This is the same picture of you!"

He is right on both accounts. He has seen me on Zolve. Plus, the picture on my business card for the last three years is the same picture on my Zolve and ActiveRain profiles.

There have been several ActiveRain posts about putting/not putting our pictures on our business cards. That moment with Austin has given me some appreciation for my smile AND BIG HEAD being somewhat branded.

For example, I've been leaving restaurants like Arizona's Steakhouse in The Village of Sandhill or walking in a real estate office and someone would say, "I've seen you in the real estate magazine" or "Your face is so familiar." These are great opportunities to add someone to your MET DATABASE. If I hadn't been consistent in the branding of ME, I might not have those conversation opportunities.

Hence, there are some advantages for using your picture on your business card. Now...

Let me be clear. Do I think you should update your photo on a constant basis? If you are an agent that has been in business for 15+ years and haven't changed your photo (yes...there are agents that would meet this criteria), you need to see your local digital photographer on Monday morning!

HOWEVER................If you've been in the habit of branding YOU, be cautious about when and how you change. There's a reason why two year old nieces know what type of food is at The Golden Arches.

Those are my thoughts on the subject. What are your thoughts?