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Welcomed Guest, or Uninvited Intruder?

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Real Estate Agent with Long & Foster - Wayne/Devon, Pennsylvania

Hello! For my first blog entry, I would like to share with you an interesting new look at a universally accepted marketing technique. I recently attended a seminar for Multi-Million dollar producers, where one of the featured speakers gave a presentation on the use of agent photographs on marketing materials. Most agents, myself being one of them, have their best glamour shot on their business cards, flyer's, web site and mailings, just to name a few.

For years, this has been the accepted norm. The use of your photograph identified yourself and personalized the message you are trying to convey. Well, it seems that this speaker has quite a different take on things. It is his belief that using your photograph, especially on mailers, has a negative effect on the recipient and is more likely to be placed in the trash can without so much as a glance. He went a step further though, elaborating that the recipient of your personalized mailer would be resentful and would feel that you had intruded into their home unannounced! Now that is thought provoking. It made me think about this from my perspective as a homeowner. I regularly receive mailers from agents, announcing their latest listings and sales. Personally, I do look at these before “filing” them. One agent in particular has information about recent sales of historic properties, his area of expertise, which I find very interesting. Now, I will be the first to admit that as an agent, I may be more interested than the average homeowner and it is rather nice that the competition delivers their marketing materials to my front door! But I still wonder, what does the average homeowner think? I would love to hear your thoughts on this as I am skeptical of what I heard from this speaker. I believe that using your photograph on marketing materials is establishing brand recognition. No one else has your face, nor can they copy it!
 

Comments(9)

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Brian Schulman
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Lancaster PA - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster County PA RealEstate Expert 717-951-5552
Sarah, I have heard this theory before, that agents shouldn't have their face on cards and ads.  Until proven otherwise, I still agree with you that our photo is our brand and logo.  I don't think that business cards or flyers, etc., have near as much impact without a photo that ties the material to a real person.  Just my opinion.
Jan 16, 2008 07:01 AM
Maria Couto
RE/MAX Premier - Berkeley Heights, NJ
Realtor with "Results That "MOVE" You'

Sarah, I agree with you. Name and face recognition is what I go for. As they see different ads I hope their thinking " oh there is Maria again" if they think real estate they'll consider "Maria" because they recognize face and name. As for glamour shot: My picture is as good as it gets.

Good post. Don't second guess yourself.

Jan 16, 2008 07:03 AM
Jennifer Esposito
JenRan Realty, LLC - Woodstock, CT
I never liked the idea of putting my photo on my cards or other marketing material.  My theory is that people being 'only human' often make snap judgements about people/things based on appearance.   And I've seen so many agent photos that either look like mug shots or are not as up to date as they should be.  *I really love it when I hand someone my card and they look at it, turn to me and say, 'this is the first Realtor card I've ever seen without a picture.' -This makes me feel good because I stand out from the crowd. 
Jan 16, 2008 07:05 AM
Karen Rice Keller Williams Real Est
Keller Williams Real Estate - Hawley, PA
Northeast PA & Lake Wallenpaupack Home Sales

I think it's just a matter of personal opinion.  And some people think that their opinion is SO FANTASTIC that the entire human race shares it.

I personally do not think anything at all when I see agent photos, unless it's a "Wow, this agent looks NOTHING like he/she does in real life..."  Sometimes that's a GOOD thing, ha ha.

I just redid  my business cards, and I am REMOVING my photo simply because EVERYONE and their mother has their face on their business card.  Everyone's card looks exactly the same, only with a different company logo.  I'm using a landscape photo as the background for my card.  Simply because I want it different and I don't particularly care for my picture.

I don't think anyone sees a picture on marketing material as an uninvited intrusion.  At most, they probably meet it with the same indifference they do any other piece of junk mail.  I think this speaker (and those who share that train of thought) are making a tempest in a teapot. 

Jan 16, 2008 07:09 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services
We don't have our photos on our cards.  We think it establishes our brand by using our logo -- and it is more unique.  There are arguments on both sides.
Jan 16, 2008 07:15 AM
Lynda Eisenmann
Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA
Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co

Hi Sara,

Welcome to Acitve Rain.

Remember, this is just one person's opinion, that's it and everybody has one right?

Jan 16, 2008 07:16 AM
Bill Gillhespy
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos
Hmmm, not buying it.  Too many studies showing a picture helps on so many levels.
Jan 16, 2008 07:21 AM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy
I am having a logo done.  It will be my logo (and look better than my face...).  I think that previously we have substituted our face for a brand logo. 
Jan 16, 2008 07:24 AM
Judi Glamb
Coldwell Banker Hearthside - Hellertown, PA
Associate Broker, ABR

I have heard this before myself, I'm wondering if from the same person.  Nothing is foolproof - yes, someone is going to throw my marketing material in the trash because they don't like my photo.  The next person will select me because I look friendly & comfortable - I have had these calls.

You photo here looks like one that I'd suggest keeping on.

Jan 16, 2008 07:26 AM