The Importance Of Your Name Badge

By
Real Estate Agent with The Purcell Group

Since I have started my career in real estate (which wasn't long ago at all!) I have heard colleagues preach on the importance of wearing your name badge at all times.  I have also heard several stories of how agents have gotten million dollar listings through appointments they made while in CVS, all because they were wearing their name badge.  I had taken these stories with a bit of a grain of salt, and thought to myself "how often does this really happen?" 

Well, I am now officially a part of the club that will swear by wearing your name badge in public.  Last week, I stopped in to my local mini-mart to buy a Gatorade.  While paying for my item, the clerk noticed my badge and asked me about "the market", so I obliged and gave him my opinion, thinking nothing would come of it other than a "thanks, have a great day".  We continued our conversation for a minute and after then told me that he was ready to put his house on the market and asked me if I "had time to come take a look" at his home.  YEAH, I HAVE TIME!  So there is one appointment from that Gatorade, but it gets better...

The owner of the mini-mart hears our conversation while in the back room, he comes out and asks if I have time to answer a question for him.  It turns out that he is looking to have his mother move in with his family, and they will need a bigger house to accomidate everyone.  He is in need of an agent to list his current home, his mothers home and help him purchase one big enough for everyone!  Oh, and there is a bit more... He is also intersted in opening up a second mini-mart and needs an agent to help him find a suitable location!

So to total it all up... One $2 Gatorade got me 3 listing appointments and 2 buyers.  All because I was wearing my name badge.  So my advise to anyone who may think that wearing your badge is nerdy (as I did!) or unecessary (as I did!), is to put it on and wear it with a simle.  You never know who you'll meet!

Comments (16)

Anne Hensel
South Beaches Real Estate Professionals - Saint Petersburg, FL
Realtor - Broker - St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island

I also swear on name tags and car signs

Anne

 

Sep 01, 2008 03:22 PM
Ron Tarvin
Residential, Investment properties, rehab projects, property management, luxury homes, new construction! - Katy, TX
Broker, Katy, Houston, Cypress 77450,77494,77095

Yes sir, it's a great conversation starter...just make sure you're dressed the part when you wear it or it ruins the effect! :)

 

 

Sep 01, 2008 03:22 PM
Shane OnullGorman
Eau Claire Realty, Inc. - Eau Claire, WI
Eau Claire Wisconsin, Real Estate Agent & Realtor- Buy or Sell

I wore mine on sunday in between meeting buyers and just having some quick lunch. I wasnt trying to show off but I noticed people reading it. It does work. It impresses to sell.

Sep 01, 2008 03:23 PM
Sherry Peckhoon Sim
Sims & Company - Cayucos, CA
Broker/Owner, Covering the Beautiful Central Coast

Jon, great post and congrats on getting those clients.  What a return - just a $2 gatorade.  I did think that wearing my badge is nerdy. Will it work in every town?

Sep 01, 2008 03:23 PM
Sara Homan
Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty 352-209-4044 - Ocala, FL
Realtor, Homes, Farms & 55+

Very Cool Jon!  I find a whole different perspective from people when I'm wearing my badge, conversations ensue and things happen...Go for the gold!

Sep 01, 2008 03:27 PM
Jennie L. James
RE/MAX DWELL - Tucson, AZ

That is really great news!  I have been in real estate for a little less than five years and have either lost a couple badges or  I throw it in a purse and it gets all scratched up, but I keep getting new ones. I also tend to wear a polo shirt with my companies name on it , on Fridays (casual Fridays) and that starts conversations too.

Sep 01, 2008 03:29 PM
Catherine Eusea
Prospect Mortgage - Fort Collins, CO
Mortgage Lender

I'm guilty...I lost mine about a year ago and I have been too lazy to get another one. Your right, I'm ording one tomorrow!

Sep 01, 2008 03:32 PM
Robert Worthington
Worthington Realty - Manitowoc, WI

Yes sir, that is what I will do.  Thanks for the tip

Sep 01, 2008 03:34 PM
Jon Purcell
The Purcell Group - Levittown, PA

Sherry,

Of course it will work in every town!  Although, some parts of the country are friendlier than others!  I am originally from Philadelphia, and I have noticed that people in Austin are much more apt to start a conversation with random people than people from Philadelphia.  I will be honest, it took me some time to get used to!

Sep 01, 2008 03:43 PM
Mana Tulberg
805 County Real Estate - Camarillo, CA
Real Estate Agent - Camarillo CA

I think you have to be comfortable to wear the name tag. I am not there yet. In our area hardly anyone wears their name tags.

Sep 01, 2008 03:52 PM
Jon Purcell
The Purcell Group - Levittown, PA

I agree with being comfortable, I do come from a background in the restaurant industry, so I have worn a badge for a long time!

If agents do not typically wear their name badges in your area, that gives you the perfect opportunity to make yourself and your business stand out from the rest!  Isn't that the name of the game, standing out from the rest of the field!?!?

 

Sep 01, 2008 04:03 PM
Dawn Maloney
RE/MAX Trinity Northeast Ohio Real Estate Specialist - Hudson, OH
330-990-4236 Hudson & Northeastern Ohio

Either that or your REALTOR® "R" pin - it is a little more subtle and effective. Great reminder!

Sep 01, 2008 04:08 PM
Jim Gilbert
Sky Realty - Austin, TX

I have not had such a great experience, but believe that a name badge is a vital part of marketing self and company to the public. Who knows when that right person will see it and take the bull by the horns? My wife and I just helped those in our company who wanted a name badge to get them.

Jim Gilbert, Heart of Austin Homes

Sep 01, 2008 04:21 PM
Tony & Darcy Cannon
Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT
The C Team

Jon, great job, it is more than just wearing the badge, it is being prepared to answer questions and having a good attitude, outstanding!

Sep 01, 2008 06:37 PM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Jon, talk about good timing. It may seem silly, but you proved it does work. Good job!

Sep 02, 2008 02:01 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous

Jon,

Thanks for sharing your story. Congrats on the listings you got on that visit and with every bit of business you've received by wearing your pin. I agree with the others here that the name badge creates an opportunity b/c not a lot of agents like to wear them. It's just a matter of getting use to it.

By the way, I bet that Gatorade tasted really good that day.

All the best,

Chip McCain

Nov 20, 2008 12:09 PM
#16