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Use of Color as Marketing Tool

By
Real Estate Technology with http://www.medicalandspaconsulting.com

A lot of research and money has been spent studying the use of color in marleting to convey a message. THis makes a lot of sense - after all, the visual sense is the strongest developed sense in most human beings. It's only natural that 90 percent of an assessment for trying out a product is made based on color alone. 

So how do colors really affect us, and what is the science of colors in marketing, really?

Color clearly affects us a lot...it can compel us to buy or it can actually repel us from a purchase. Color can be more important than the words or message in marketing.  I remember being involved in an interesting marketing situation:  United Airlienes spent $5 million on market research when they decided that they need a new paint scheme on the airplanes. At the time, they had all white with a blue and reddish orange stripe on the tail fin.  After many months and $5 million, United decided to paint the planes navy over gray. Personally, I felt that this made the planes look like a casual business suit - but hey, United is known as a business airline.

Well....USAirways decided to change the scheme on their planes. rather than spend $5 million and a lot of time on market research, they painted th eplanes...NAVY and GRAY!!

I am told that Facebook is blue because Founder, Mark Zuckerberg was color blind and red and green are gray to him and blue is the only color that he can see clearly.  As an aside, the genetics background in me is compelled to mention that 75% of men are color blind to some exent. So ladies, THIS explains why your hubby wears one black sock and one navy sock LOL

Here is an example of how color plays a role in decision making:  Analytics company KISSmetrics created an amazing infographic on the science of how colors affect our purchases.

Perhaps we can all incorporate some of these colors in our marketing in order to express the image that we are trying to convey!!

 

Paddy Deighan J.D. Ph.D

http://www.homesavers.pro

 

Show All Comments Sort:
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

I decided on blue as the primary color for our website because the color evokes trust, even though, my brokerage uses red, white and black. I even where blue clothing when I meet with clients for the same reason. Has it increased my business? It's hard to say. However, I always get compliments when I where the color. It seems they are noticing.

Jan 26, 2014 07:20 AM
Paddy Deighan MBA JD PhD
http://www.medicalandspaconsulting.com - Vail, CO
Paddy Deighan J.D. Ph.D

@25, Tannie...congrats..I see that you will reach 1 million points soon!!! I had a great aunt that told me to NEVER wear gray and to always wear blue!!

Jan 26, 2014 07:35 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Paddy, What an interesting way to look at colors and what they mean.

Jan 26, 2014 10:03 AM
Barbara Altieri
Better Homes and Gardens RE Shore and Country Properties - Shelton, CT
REALTOR-Fairfield County CT Homes/Condos For Sale

Paddy -- I love that emotion guide. Thanks for providing it. Very interesting. I had one client today remark negatively on an all-white wall, carpet, appliance, countertop, tile flooring condo. I always advise overlooking bad color choices, but they can definitely make a bad first impression.

Jan 26, 2014 10:17 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Color does produce emotions and makes me respond. Everythign doesn't need to be neutral either. Using a little punch of color can be exciting too.

Jan 26, 2014 11:12 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

There is a who psychology to it all that most people act like is magic, you are correct!

Jan 26, 2014 12:49 PM
Susan Lee
Diversified Residential&Commercial Services

Continued from above post :))

Am also a firm believer in feng shui and placement!

Jan 26, 2014 01:19 PM
Peter Pfann @ eXp Realty Pfanntastic Properties in Victoria, Since 1986.
eXp Realty, Victoria BC www.pfanntastic.com - Victoria, BC
Talk To or Text Peter 250-213-9490

Hi Paddy,

Marketing with colour, interesting topic, we all respond to all kinds of things, colourr for sure has impact and influenc, thanks

Jan 26, 2014 03:41 PM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC • Short Sale • Probate

I use  dark blue, light gray, white and black for my marketing. I am creating new marketing materials right now( since I just moved to a new broker).

Jan 26, 2014 04:31 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

This is one of the best I've seen on color impact. Thanks for sharing.

Jan 26, 2014 09:47 PM
Jeff Fritzson: Frisco Real Estate Pro
Jeff Fritzson Real Estate, Ebby Halliday Realtors - Frisco, TX
Your Success is My Focus!

What great information! Thank you for sharing as this year will be filled with different marketing expenses and this will provide some information to help design those pieces.

Jan 26, 2014 10:40 PM
Rick Frissell
HomeXpress Realty - Valrico, FL
aka "The Red Baron of Real Estate"

What a great grahic.  Last year I scrapped my web site and started from ground up.  Color was a serious consideration.  But, not for the impact you have illustrated.  I used the Kuler tool by Adobe to achieve a color balance I liked.  Until your post, I was unaware that my ultimate color selection of the families of yellow, red and blue evked the emotions of Excitement, Optimism and Trust.  Thanks for the post.

Jan 26, 2014 11:37 PM
Eric Kodner
Madeline Island Realty - La Pointe, WI
CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -

This is precisely why we selected a deep blue sign, with white lettering reversed out of the background.

Jan 26, 2014 11:40 PM
Jill Saddler
Draper, UT
Draper Utah Real Estate Professional - 25 years+!

Very interesting - my colours are orange and yellow - Optimistic and Friendly! Yep - sounds about right!! :)

Jan 26, 2014 11:45 PM
Rob Marken
Bend River Realty - Bend, OR
25+ years experience in Bend

Very interesting. I love the graphic too.  I am glad that our color scheme actually matches with our key traits "trust." I feel like we are on the right path. 

Jan 27, 2014 12:40 AM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Paddy, I love this! I was just mentioning the other day how I wanted to change up my marketing to for a more branded look and your color emotion guide is quite handy! Thanks!

Jan 27, 2014 03:50 AM
Rick Snow - Selling El Paso TX
EXIT West Realty - El Paso, TX
Cool Deals on Hot Real Estate in El Paso, Texas

I just switched my logo from green and red to IBM blue. I am anxious to see if there is any difference. You can take a look at the new one if you'd like

Jan 27, 2014 09:40 AM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Hello Paddy and VB has to agree ... "Great Post"

VB ;o)

Jan 27, 2014 10:34 AM
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Paddy, I think this color emotion guide is really cool. It's interesting to see which companies are under which color, and the emotion that color is trying to convey.

Mar 27, 2014 02:18 AM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

I have always wondered if the use of colors in certain businesses really made a huge difference and apparently it does!

May 04, 2014 09:12 PM