Business Card Marketing

[alexshay]

Agents love to sent out postcards, and flyers, and emails. These are all good marketing techniques, and they work. In Miami, realtors are now using their personal photo on business cards, so when someone receives an email, or a flyer or postcard, they can put a face to a name. It seemed a little outrageous at first, but it works. People remember you by your face, and if you leave a card at someone's door, and they see you again, they recognise you, and you have just removed a very important obstacle.

[BoboTheKing]

I can't imagine why anyone would put their picture on a business card. Nobody cares what people look like...they care what you can do for them. I would rather use the space to print more of my message.

[Kawika_CA]

It would never cross my mind to look to agents for marketing ideas. Pictures of them are the biggest waste of space out there. Nobody cares who they are, what they do, or how they look.

A homeowner with an asset roughly 10 times what that agent probably makes doesn't cares how they style their hair or wants to recognize them the next time they solicit at the door.

That's a marketing 101 mistake. Talk about how you're going to help them then when you're done...tell them how else you're going to help. Benefits, benefits, benefits.

Here's another classic mistake. Putting their face or company name and phone number on a For Sale yard sign that's in bigger print than the FOR SALE text. A sign right next door to me had ads on the sign to list other people's houses along with two numbers and broker name and in tiny print "for sale". I'd fire that agent immediately. Their more interested in lead generation than selling my house. btw, they didn't sell their house 3 months later so put it back up for rent. Given the san diego market they'll probably be renting it for the next 7 years before prices come back. That's a hard lesson.

[alexshay]

Ok, I will tell you the reason. You go to someone's home, because you either have a buyer for it, or you want to get the listing. You knock on the door or ring the bell outside of the electronic gate. No one answers. These people dont want you to be coming to their home ringing the bell of their gated 5 million dollar home. You leave, but first you leave your card, maybe with a note on it, and they see your card and your picture on it. The next time you go there they will know who you are. If you don't think that is a very positive thing for you, then you are most likely not selling many properties, and most likely you are selling no luxury property.

[BoboTheKing]

I have to completely disagree with that. Nobody is going to do business with you just because they know what you look like. Sorry, I just think that is way off.

[alexshay]

Ok, Bobo he King, if you think it's way off, so be it. Don't do it. I have been a top producer in Miami Beach, Florida for many years, and this is an extremely competitive marketplace,and I have also earned those big bucks that that put me at the top. I have done what I talked about. Not that long ago, I earned well over 100,000 dollars in comissions, from just one sale. How did I get that person who sold through me, to listen to me? I met him. When he saw me, he already knew my face from the card I had left with the housekeeper. It was easy to talk; I didnt seem like a total stranger. I have done what I just described over and over again, so if you are making those types of sales, then please feel free to criticize as much as you like. This is my last post regarding business card marketing. Thank you.

[Kawika_CA]

I agree Bobo. It sounds more like fantasy than fact that someone would do business with anybody because of a picture.

I think they're missing what really worked which was persistence, door-knocking and that they have something to refer to (i.e. a card). That's the lesson here. Of course if you can get someone else to do the door-knocking that's even better.

[southerngirly]

If I looked like Claudia Shiffier would you take a look at my business card and read it? :-*  ha-ha.  I guess to each their own on what they want to do with advertising.  I am still racking my brain on advertising the site below.

[Bettysue]

I agree.  A picture, I've just never understood.  I wouldn't do it.  No one really pays attention to the picture.  

I've seen many agents.  Sometimes, the picture does not look like them at all.  

I say use the space for the message.  However, if it works for you, keep doing what your doing.

[Redtigress]

A small suggestion for anyone here who is an agent/investor.  Read the book "How to Get Rich in Real Estate And Have a life" by Wayne and Lynn Morgan.  It's great for marketing ideas, networking ideas, what works what doesn't, what brokers want you to know, and what your clients really want to hear/see/know/get.  It's the single best investment besides my internet subscription that I've made in my business.

[nxproject]

In real estate it not about how many people you know..

It about who knows you.  As a Realtor you have to market yourself and your abilites.  A picture goes along way.  

[DeeinAustin]

A small suggestion for anyone here who is an agent/investor.  Read the book "How to Get Rich in Real Estate And Have a life" by Wayne and Lynn Morgan.  It's great for marketing ideas, networking ideas, what works what doesn't, what brokers want you to know, and what your clients really want to hear/see/know/get.  It's the single best investment besides my internet subscription that I've made in my business.

What does he teach that's different from other books? I can't remember anything standing out when I thumbed through it. It seemed like a summary of "Rich Dad, Poor Dad " and other books I'd read, so I didn't buy it.

Both agents and investors need to just stand out in the prospect's mind, so if you have a more sincere picture, fine. I can tell you that I've never met an investor with their picture on their business card and doesn't seem to matter. For agents, having a picture on the card seems to help when someone hasn't met you face-to-face and aren't being referred to you.

[Redtigress]

Wayne's book is NOTHING like Rich Dad, Poor Dad.  It's truly a "This is what you need to do to have clients banging down your door, and to serve them best."  

[WGGJR]

I have a great picture for your business card!
http://www.funnies.com/yourtwin.htm

[Thoward]

I"m not a big fan of the picture on the card either. My agent, for example, printed out what seems like millions of them with her pitcure on them. A month later she cut her hair and changed the color. It looks like she handing out a totally different persons card, but because of the amount of money she spent she doesn't want to throw out the old business cards. I'd hate to think I can't get  a haircut because my business cards will become outdated, lol.

Out of curiosity though, what does everyone reccommend as the MOST IMPORTANT aspect of your cards? Aside from the Obvious: Name, Number,Address, etc.

Is there anything that you feel makes your business cards stand out? I've been using the slogan "Let us Help YOU when no one else can". I think it helps considering i'm moving toward pre-foreclosures.