The other day after a brokers’ open I was gathering up the business cards left behind when for the first time I noticed not everyone was putting their photo on their business cards… and to that I say, “Thank goodness.”
I’ve never understood the reasoning behind it… I honestly can’t remember where I read it, but I do remember reading one-time buyers and sellers didn’t see agent photos as a positive thing…
In the real world I’ve never scene a single business card with a photo on it. I’m certain neither Bill Gates nor Steve Jobs has their photos plastered on their cards…
I’ve asked plenty of agents why they do it, and the answer is always the same… recognition
I try to imagine a scene in the mall where potential sellers or buyers are throwing themselves at an agent… begging for their services… rock star status I call it…
Since I personally can’t think of a single good reason for putting my mug on my business card, I’ll give you the reasons for not doing so… by the way, if you can think of a good one, let me know and I’ll happily post in on the site with your photo…
1. Because you buy your business cards by the thousands, chances are that before you get rid of them all, some detail of you appearance will have changed.
2. People make decisions based on how you look… do you really want to lose a client because they didn’t like your smile
3. It’s NOT about you… an agent I spoke with this morning said it sends the wrong message… your card is often your only means of introducing yourself to someone…. Do you really want to dedicate a third of that space to a photo of yourself? Better than that are house flyers where the lower third is covered with the agent’s photo
4. How many times have you picked up an agent’s card and after the agent left said, “Either that was her younger sister, or these cards are about 20 years old.”
I guess the only real proof I need to back my theory is that fact that not a single other profession choices to use their photos on their business cards…
Maybe the occasional escrow officer, but it’s close enough to the real estate tree to be counted under the real estate heading…
I’m open to change, so let me know your thoughts
I’ve never understood the reasoning behind it… I honestly can’t remember where I read it, but I do remember reading one-time buyers and sellers didn’t see agent photos as a positive thing…
In the real world I’ve never scene a single business card with a photo on it. I’m certain neither Bill Gates nor Steve Jobs has their photos plastered on their cards…
I’ve asked plenty of agents why they do it, and the answer is always the same… recognition
I try to imagine a scene in the mall where potential sellers or buyers are throwing themselves at an agent… begging for their services… rock star status I call it…
Since I personally can’t think of a single good reason for putting my mug on my business card, I’ll give you the reasons for not doing so… by the way, if you can think of a good one, let me know and I’ll happily post in on the site with your photo…
1. Because you buy your business cards by the thousands, chances are that before you get rid of them all, some detail of you appearance will have changed.
2. People make decisions based on how you look… do you really want to lose a client because they didn’t like your smile
3. It’s NOT about you… an agent I spoke with this morning said it sends the wrong message… your card is often your only means of introducing yourself to someone…. Do you really want to dedicate a third of that space to a photo of yourself? Better than that are house flyers where the lower third is covered with the agent’s photo
4. How many times have you picked up an agent’s card and after the agent left said, “Either that was her younger sister, or these cards are about 20 years old.”
I guess the only real proof I need to back my theory is that fact that not a single other profession choices to use their photos on their business cards…
Maybe the occasional escrow officer, but it’s close enough to the real estate tree to be counted under the real estate heading…
I’m open to change, so let me know your thoughts
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