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Personal marketing - making a name for yourself

I was asked in another thread why I use spotted cows (holsteins) instead of Black Angus steers....

I had my original logo done in 1991 by a now defunct company called Jungle Solutions. At the time very few people were doing any kind of personal branding, but it was something that I wanted to do and was struggling with coming up with my own solution..

here were the losers..

"List with Angus... he's full of bull"

"Angus will "steer" you right!"

"With Angus, you're not just another pie in the pasture"

"Not calling Angus would be udderly ridiculous"

Instead I settled on the rather mundane "your best mooove!" and have been having fun with it ever since. I don't even have a particular affinity for cattle... but there is plenty of room for the play on words.

In 1991, there was no internet.... only professional printers did color printing. so I had two color (like the above) printing done with a black & white shot of me standing next to the logo (in a suit of course) I had stationary, envelopes, scratch pads, magnets etc.. done (at the time it was a major outlay for me) But one of the keys to using two color printing is contrast and if I had made my logo in solid black... no one would ever "get it". So it was a matter of poetic license... I have used both black and red Angus cattle in some of my marketing (I get to do the best Christmas Cards!)

I later had SelPros redo the logo to a full color look to do full bleed business cards and for use on one of my first web sites. It was one of my first acts whe I changed offices.

The cow thing kind of took on a life of it's own as I would have people come up to me and say "you're the cow guy, right?" Now, I get cow things from clients and friends from all over the world... I love it!

I decided early in this business that if I was going to work crazy hours and almost every day, then I was going to have some fun doing it. It's a great feeling to get up in the morning and enjoy going to work.

I've done some different marketing with the cows which I will save for a future post.

What kind of "branding have you done?"

Have you struggled to come up with a concept?

Are you having some success?

Moo (because it's fun) in Naperville

Posted by Angus in Naperville IL on 09/22/2006 05:52 PM

Comments (32)

personal marketing, branding, marketing, advertising, naperville, illinois

32 Comments on Personal marketing - making a name for yourself

SEP

2006

I wish my name was Angus! Everybody would remember a girl named Angus.

Angus, I just started with my branding in a community that really doesn't have a branding/logo presence except for one Realtor, so I think I've got a good head start on things. BTW, I love your logo, it's awesome!

cow words are easy to come by? I have done a streetcar which is a play on downtown living and something just for New Orleans. Everyone likes them?

I really need to get a 'brand'. I purchased a big monster truck last year with the hopes of doing something with it...so far people say they see me around, etc but I cannot account for any 'sales' from it. Curious as to what this monster truck looks like? You can see photos of the monster truck here.

By the way, I have 38" tires, full color wrap for real estate & YES I do drive it! Not my primary vehicle but fun too - sometimes do take clients to see land in it....easier to get around than the caddy.

As far as I know, I'm the only Realtor advertising with a pick up truck wrapped like that. I've seen many hummers, other suvs, even an international truck but no other '4 x 4 monster trucks'.

Thanks for answering my question on the previous thread about the Holstein vs the beef cattle. Loved the 'loser' slogans! LOL.

Have you thought of any promos with Gateway?

I'd like to do something with Reese's but don't want to get sued by Hershey's, so I just hand out the peanut butter cups at Open Houses. I tell people to remember "orange package - orange hair ... Reese"

I was watching the 11pm news and up comes a commerical for SILK (Soy milk) and of course they have cows in the commercial touting the benefits of Soy Milk. I am dozing and you pop up into my mind... You definately are top of mind... I wonder how many people in your area have that kind of association with you?

we had our logo done by a company and we love it to death. It incorporates our family name with our business, BarnettAssociates.net. I did a post on branding awhile and what your doing is exaclty what I was illuding to. Great job and branding yourself and creating an individual marketing piece.

SEP

2006

Oh Angus. There are just a litany if things of ways to play with your name. Have you ever been on I-94 north of Madison and seen the ABS sign? ABS Global is the world-leading provider of bovine genetics, reproduction services, technologies and uddercare products. They are always posting cleaver cow sayings on their outdoor sign at their headquarters.

I attended a Christmas party with a husband and wife team by the last name of Hooker and had hours of fun coming up with catchy slogans to "brand" them in the community.

"Two for the price of One.." -- the Hookers

was the unanimous favorite by night's end. Of course, adult beverages were involved and I never did see any thing in print. But we had a great time brainstorming the ideas.

"Hire the Hookers - You'll get what you pay for"

"The Hookers - Anywhere, Anytime"

"The Hookers - Closings Guaranteed"

"Get it Done Quick with the Hookers"

"The Hookers - We Know the Neighborhoods"

Big or Small - The Hookers are Here to Help

Ok, I need to get to the point......

Our boutique company has been branded with the name touting what we do. Gryphon Asset Advisors, Gryphon Realty & Auction, Gryphon Appraisal.

We work a lot for lenders and for banks. The old story of the Gryhpon was as a protector of gold and all things of value. We make sure that the asset in our charge is protected, not just sold.

This explaination is part of our website and part of our marketing overall. Due to this, I discourage personal branding at our comapny. We are all working towards a common goal. Everyone with us has a different specialty and we encourage this diversity. We also encorage sticking to what you know.

Is branding of an entity important? Absolutely ! We spend a ton on our brand and have a pretty loyal following. The brand is everywhere: cards, brochures, website, etc. It would be unusual to see one of our staff without a logo shirt on.

I can understand that some may want to brand themselves for the purpose of personal promotion. As a business owner, however, I have no desire to "brand compete".

I say that agents should "Ride for the Brand". If you want to be unique, no problem. Break out on your own, take on the world and work to get your business noticed. It's the American way and that I can get behind. I'll even help you.

Let me finish with this last thought ----

"The Hookers - We Really Get It"

Branding by agent is not all that common in my area but I've recently seen one or two agents trying to differentiate themselves. Makes me think I should get off my duff...need to get my creative juices flowing or find someone to help. Thanks for that kick in the butt! Great logo by the way...cute concept. Who doesn't like cows?!

Mooooooving post Angus! - Branding is super important, especially because you may switch companies in the future. It is great to have a big company back you and use their logo, but you definitely need to seperate yourself away from all the other agents so people will remeber YOU not your company if you do moooove.

Anyone out there using - Joe - a house "sold" name.

Loved the Hookers thing...... definitely will get noticed...

cows I have a category called Cowtown on my first blog... because Columbus is called a cowtown often.

Elaine Reese and I were discussing cows and Angus yesterday. Elaine knows breeds of cows... I really don't... but I can tell a beef cow from a dairy cow.

Cows are fun.

Since first starting I have used a tag line based off of my name....Who Will? Pete Will? I felt it would help keep my name in client and prospects heads and so far it has worked well for me. Quite often I will answer my phone and will hear from the other side......Who Will?, at which point I know that it's time to work.

Pete

You would think Maureen would know all about cows as she hails from Wisconsin ... GEEZ ... uh-h I mean CHEESE!

I totally agree with Carl. Real estate agents need to focus on themselves not their broker.

I disagree with Rich, but then since his company spams us all the time, maybe it's best to not have an individual's name associated with the spam.

Colleen - good point on the Silk. Maybe Angus could get one of those cow heads!

With a name like ANGUS---people won't forget you! I like your marketing and play on your name. People won't forget you--that's for sure!

Jay and Linnea Hanleyl

You always so moooooving. Your brand is so you, that whenever we travel and see the cows we think of you - even took pictures in California last year of pumpkins decorated as black and white cows to send you. Just came across the photos again, so will send it on.

Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome has been very successful for me! When I first started in the business, I used "Market Your Home With Margaret Rome". Soon found out that no one wanted their home 'marketed', they want it SOLD.

Great Mooooving post Angus1

www.HomeRome.com

Baltimore,Md.

SEP

2006

Margaret,

It doesn't suprise me that you refined your marketing... we all know Rome wasn't built in a day.

Moo (your buddy in Naperville)

Angus, I love your campaign. Definatley memorable. And did I just notice that your blog is called "All the Moos that's fit to print"? Great tie in.

And here's a sample testimonial for those Hookers-"I was skeptical when my husband suggested hiring the Hookers, but I was very impressed with their extensive menu of services and all of their experience. They told us about strategies we'd never dreamed of! I could tell they would bend over backwards to make sure we were satisfied, and did they ever! The best part is that their fees are negotiable and they don't expect any payment until the deal is done! Thanks, Hookers!"

Angus I will never look at a cow the same after reading this post and all of the comments. I think Branding is extremely important. I recently just changed companies and would be in deep "field pie" if I did not have a brand outside of C21. My brand is Your Area Home Team not too flashy but easy to remember and leaves room for expansion.

Elaine,

Sorry you don't want to get our emails. The little remove button at the bottom can solve that problem for you. It goes right to the list and pulls you off. I can't do it.

Don't know how you got on the list, but there is a way to make you happy here.

Rich

While I hate to take away from Angus' wonderful blog ...

Rich: (1) I don't open emails from companies I don't know, so opting out isn't an option. Until you joined AR, I had no idea who Gryphon was - other than a spammer. (2) I report spammers to Earthlink and then I block them if it continues. (3) Rather than have the onus on me to opt-out, the onus should be on you to get my approval to email me, especially since I now assume you scraped our addresses from the Columbus Board's list.

And now back to Angus' blog ...