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The Scariest Thing in Real Estate ... For Me

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Real Estate Broker/Owner with MoonDancer Realty, Dillsboro,NC NC# 218097

So, here's the thing. Unlike beautiful scenery, artwork, sculptures and tasty looking food photos which are pretty much ageless, I'm about to embark on the scariest thing in real estate, for me anyway.  OMG, I need a new photo of myself.  Arghh.

Years ago, I made the wise decision to incorporate our beautiful logo on my business cards instead of a head shot.  I didn't want to be THAT agent clinging to the photo from the 80s with the big hair, padded shoulders and pant suit posed in the glamour shot with by chin resting in my gaudy ring festooned hand.  Technically, I NEVER had any of those things but you get the picture.  My FB photo is fine, taken after my hair gracefully donned the grayish, silverish color and I'm wearing awesome purple sunglasses. Pretty much ageless.

Years ago, when I went through the IMSD training with Ben Kinney we were encouraged to embrace social media and to have a strong presence so anyone who'd ever heard a bare whisper of our names could easily find us.  Yep.  Many of the accounts still have my photo from ahem, uhm, well ... okay, 10 years ago.  Ouch, that hurt to see those words in print!

Now that I'm re-entering ActiveRain, I am going to have to say goodbye to the current (well, you know what I mean) photo and find someone to take another that is accurate but flattering.  If we were still in the middle of the Pandemic, that would be pretty easy but wearing a mask now would be embarrassingly similar to the photos that THOSE agents still use 😉.

Wish me luck please on facing the scariest thing in real estate, a new business photo!

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Comments(17)

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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Mona - different frightening (as well as similar not-so-scary things) aspects of social media, real estate and everyday life can come to life as the AR blog roll connects all three at times. 

Congratulations on your return.  Much has changed but there are things you will see that are kinda the same.  I imagine, you'll figure that out soon enough.  Have fun!

May 09, 2024 01:06 PM
Mona Gersky

Thanks, I'm sure there will be a slight learning or re-learning curve!

May 09, 2024 04:52 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Carol Williams - PS -- in addition to showcasing new members on your weekly SCS Second Chance Saturday post, how about highlighting members making a re-entry/return to the platform after a respite?  I suggest Mona's post.  

May 09, 2024 01:10 PM
Carol Williams

Thanks for the heads up, Michael Jacobs 

May 09, 2024 03:10 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Mona- I am so happy to see your return to the Rain!!!! And yes, taking a new headshot is scary for me as well. Some people have a knack of photographing well. I am not one of them. 

May 09, 2024 05:55 PM
Mona Gersky

Hi Kathy, I enjoy following you on FB and really appreciate your welcome back to me.

May 10, 2024 11:12 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I'm glad you are returning to AR! As for the photo, good luck! I hate getting my photo taken.

May 10, 2024 05:06 AM
Mona Gersky

As always though, your photo looks great!  Thanks and I'm glad to be returning too.

May 10, 2024 11:12 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Mona... having my picture taken is not scary for me... but I hate it. I've hated it since I was a toddler. I keep my pictures "active" as long as people tell me I look just like my picture.

May 10, 2024 06:12 AM
Mona Gersky

True words and great attitude. :-)

May 10, 2024 11:13 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Mona. So glad you decided to return, I share your concern about a recent photo. Now you have me considering updating mine. E\njoy your day.

May 11, 2024 05:28 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Mona Gersky ,

Glad to see you returning to the fold of Active Rain! Will be on the look out for more posts. I was glad Carol Williams featured your post in her Saturday Series as I missed it!

May 11, 2024 06:27 AM
Michael J. Perry
Fathom Realty - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

I’m in need of a new photo also ( lol) . "………………………………………………………….

May 11, 2024 12:42 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

May 11, 2024 06:01 PM
Mona Gersky

Thanks!  I'll check it out.  Navigating AR hasn't been like bike riding yet.

May 13, 2024 11:52 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Mona Gersky

Welcome back. I love this adorable post and happy that Kathy included it this week.

May 12, 2024 08:19 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

I dearly dislike photos of myself. Years ago I learned that the best way to get a good photo was to hire a professional. But then I also learned that not all professionals are equal! 

One I ran into at a real estate convention back in the 90's cared about making me look as good as possible. They knew the right makeup, the right lighting, the right pose, etc. 

Then I went with a group from the office in response to an ad offering one free print. All I could think when I saw their results was that I looked like an aging madam. 

May 12, 2024 10:06 AM
Mona Gersky

I'd rather look like an aging madam than what a local "professional" did to me.  He photoshopped so much that my face looked like a death mask!

May 13, 2024 11:53 AM
Debra Leisek
Bay Realty,Inc Homer Alaska - Homer, AK

Welcome back!

I love the name of your company! Moon Dancer Realty! 

I also struggle with the new photo thing... 

I think putting our photos all over the place is highly overrated. I heard a child say to her mother after seeing a banner with a realtor's face on it.... why is that there? It's scary! Silently Happy, I totally agreed with her! 

May 12, 2024 01:44 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

GREAT post!  And one well worth Carol's featured post list.  I get it. My photo is 6 years old. I doubt it gets better.  The sketch photo on my profile here is from an app.  Sketch is an app where you can take a photo and turn it into the sketch.  So this photos is probaby 5 years old.  One of these days.  You look great in yours!  

May 12, 2024 04:51 PM
Mona Gersky

I toyed with a sketch or cartoon kind of thing...still thinking about it.

May 13, 2024 11:54 AM
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

Over my career I have gone from no photo on business card to having one to not having one. I don't seem to use as many these days , so the no photo option keeps the card current.

May 13, 2024 03:36 AM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
The Grit and Gratitude Agent

As others have written, welcome back. As to the photo, business cards for Dirt Road Real Estate feature the logo and that works.  I was never one to have my photo on the card.  I probably should change the current photo to reflect the cowboy hat along with he turquoise necklace.

May 13, 2024 07:04 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

I tend to take a photo from a trip where I am being myself and use that.

May 13, 2024 10:29 AM
Mona Gersky

That's a great idea.

May 13, 2024 11:55 AM
Mike McCann Broker - Mach1 Realty
Mike McCann - Broker, Mach1 Realty Broker-Auctioneer Serving Nebraska - Kearney, NE
ALL Types of Property For Sale 308-627-3700

Hi Mona... I have had my photo on my cards for decades...and will continue to do so.  My next business cards and social media will get an update as my current photos are a few years old.

My cards also have my logo and it is pretty easy to figure out that I like selling farmland...even though I probably sell more multi-family.  

Have a great week!

May 13, 2024 01:24 PM