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How prominently do you advertise with your photo?

I know some people have their image on their vehicles, billboards, public benches and garbage/recycling units.

Having a photo on all your marketing efforts is all part of creating a brand. In order to be the agent buyers and sellers think of when they want to list or buy a house, you’ll need to make an effort to be recognizable and memorable.  I’d skip the garbage/recycling units though.

Linda Davis - 06 February 2008 05:00 PM

I’d skip the garbage/recycling units though.

I tend to agree with you on that, but there is a very prominent agent in the city who chooses to use these. I believe he also specializes in condos.

I guess it must work for him.

There are many agents who succeed in the strategy of advertising with photos. It’s very effective to advertise properties in the internet nowadays. If your site looks great, your community will surely grows faster and bigger.

I agree that the whole idea of marketing and creating a brand really works well with using a photo. People get your face associated with your name, and your company, so it makes it more recognizable all around.

I think I first noticed the strategy on cars, aside from newspaper ads and newsletters.

Now there are some great reproductions on vehicles. I guess that involves silk-screening, doesn’t it?

I haven’t done it, but most of my colleagues are advertising the sites along with their own photo.  I think that it helps to gain the customer’s trust.  I guess that the photo will help them identify who are they are they dealing with and hence, the customers think that they can do business with the agent.

I think adding a photo is great because it puts a face to your advertising.  I would love to advertise on a billboard but way to expensive for my pocketbook.

I have to agree with everyone else that advertising with a photo is a good way to go. I’ve always found that it’s better when you can put a face with a name.
Billboards are a great way to go if you can afford the huge dent it will put in your wallet!
Car magnets are more cost efficient means of advertising and I’ve had some luck with it.

Marketing with a photo can be great. People will begin to recognize you and you become a walking billboard. I must add please use a photo that looks like you. We had an agent in the area who was doing very well. Her photo was everywhere. When I met her and didn’t recognize her. She had used a photo that was atleast 20 years old. Most people use their photo so that they are recognze...so please use a recent realistic photo of yourself.

pinkgreenmommie - 21 February 2008 12:31 PM

Marketing with a photo can be great. People will begin to recognize you and you become a walking billboard. I must add please use a photo that looks like you. We had an agent in the area who was doing very well. Her photo was everywhere. When I met her and didn’t recognize her. She had used a photo that was atleast 20 years old. Most people use their photo so that they are recognze...so please use a recent realistic photo of yourself.

Yes please use a recent realistic photo. I work with an agent who has a photo of himself on his business card and the photo is at least 15-20 years old. It is hilarious. He is a good agent and I think his age makes him insecure but I have seen him hand his card out and clients do a double take it is so funny. Using your photo adds a personal touch.

Photos add a personal touch but I don’t think that only photos of you should be included. Pictures tell stories so it would be better to add other photos and logos that will easily be retained in the minds of your market. Not only will nice and effective logos be eyecatching, it can also create a buzz for you.

Photos seem to add honesty in your business cards and it stands out of the rest.  When I first started thinking of buying a home, it seemed that I was acquiring Realtors cards by the dozen.  I must have had about two dozen cards by the time I finally bought my first home.  The Realtor that I chose was the only one with a photo on it.  Photo’s do add to business cards today.

I believe having your photo on marketing materials is essential. It provides the potential customer with a reference to the person who will help them realize their dreams as well as assists in protecting your possible sale.

I agree with all who are saying photos add that personal touch that can really help your real estate business.  However - and I don’t want to sound cruel here - I think that you must limit photo usage if you are scary-looking. I once worked alongside an agent - the nicest man you’d ever meet - who has cadaverous, pock-marked, had a scar on his face, and an eye patch.  No matter how much he smiled, he still looked scary.  He chose to limit his photo exposure because he knew he wasn’t portraying the friendly, happy impression he wanted to make.  Odd case though.

MaWorks:

I was thinking this as well and couldn’t find a tactful way to say it.  I’m glad you did it for me.  I completely agree with your point.

MaWorks - 29 April 2008 09:41 AM

I agree with all who are saying photos add that personal touch that can really help your real estate business.  However - and I don’t want to sound cruel here - I think that you must limit photo usage if you are scary-looking. I once worked alongside an agent - the nicest man you’d ever meet - who has cadaverous, pock-marked, had a scar on his face, and an eye patch.  No matter how much he smiled, he still looked scary.  He chose to limit his photo exposure because he knew he wasn’t portraying the friendly, happy impression he wanted to make.  Odd case though.