Real Estate Forums

San Diego Real Estate · 05-11-2005, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Las Vegas Homes

I was just wondering whether you need your face on every piece of your marketing? it appears that all of the successful real estate agents in my area have their professional photo on their business cards, bus bench ads, etc... But I must admit that I don't know whether ALL of the successful agents have their photo on their ads. So, I was just wondering how you felt about it.

LVH...Brian Buffini one of the leading Coaches in the Real Estate industry says to leave your Picture out of all the advertising... In his opinion the Market does not care what your Mug looks like they want to know what you can do for them!

Portland Real Estate · 05-11-2005, 11:51 AM

Hmmm...I'm not sure if I could agree with that. On the listing side, yes. On buying side, it's an emotional decision both on selecting the house and on selecting an agent. At some level, I think the client do care about what we look like.

SEOWolf · 05-11-2005, 11:09 PM

I believe it is the level of service we offer that makes the difference or as Al says “what we can do for them”.

Now while my bride is still absolutely gorgeous to me, the kids and grandkids have taken their toll yet she consistently outperforms all of the local “Hottie” agents.

Until her retirement a year and a half ago, my mother kept pace with my wife on sales and listings and she was 68 when she retired.

Service is the key IMHO.

~VegasMack

judyo · 05-12-2005, 10:04 AM

I think a face on websites and print materials is important. I'm not talking about looking good (beautiful or handsome), but having a professional yet friendly look to personalize your site and keep your face in front of people.

When I browse through some of the websites on different forums I'm left slightly cold by the super slick sites without a person on them. Maybe it's because I'm a woman but I want to see a human! And if I see a human enough where the face becomes memorable to me then I feel some connection with that person.

In fact, the positive thing I look at about getting older is that I'll probably be even more appealing to people looking to buy and sell property. Age brings experience, even if you just started in the business. I had to battle the fact for many years that I look younger than I am and I always felt that went against me at times although I really tried to look professional and attempted to look as "old" as possible! LOL!

Here's another example of what I'm trying to convey. I always try to look at a site through the eyes of a real buyer/seller. If I came across a great site that looked very professional & sounded the same, but there was no face to put to the words, I'd honestly move on. I don't care what that site offered. In fact, I don't think I'd get past the home page.

There are a couple exceptions where the sites look very friendly yet professional without the agent's mug shot but IMO it's rare. We're all different, though, and this is just my personal feeling.

Some of the big speakers say no to pics & others say it's a must. So we have to go with our own preferences.

HHI Golf Guy · 05-12-2005, 11:50 AM

I still say that posting a prominent picture on the web site can be dangerous (unless maybe you're one of the "beautiful people"). People make snap judgements based solely on a person's looks and appearance.

Wow them with knowledge and win them with your ad copy. This is one of the reasons why I believe that our clients have a great capture rate of prospects.

The homebuyer on the internet is much different than the person that calls out of the blue or stops by the office. You need to target that buyer's personality.

San Diego Real Estate · 05-12-2005, 11:55 AM

HHI Golf Guy I couldn't agree more! Anything could offend your visitor...from your color of clothes, race, facial hair, lack of hair, LOL etc...Why risk it!

judyo · 05-12-2005, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HHI Golf Guy

You need to target that buyer's personality.

And we all have different personalities! So we'll never please everyone no matter which side of the fence we're on.

SEOWolf · 05-12-2005, 02:13 PM

I understand your way of thinking; however HHI Golf Guy and Al make good points about the websites. Why chance offending?

Even when I see a photo on a website of a nice looking blonde in her late 20s or early 30s I have the feeling that she hasn’t got the experience regardless of the content (no bags under the eyes is a dead give away LOL). The point is that with the photo I automatically form an opinion where I would not without it.

I go along with the concept of a photo on a business card to keep your image fresh in their minds as long as it is a current picture.

~VegasMack

judyo · 05-12-2005, 02:26 PM

I hear you guys and believe me, my website is not for vanity purposes but to help me get clients and earn more money. I hate photos of myself but I'm going by my own personal feelings.

Wish I could have a site with a photo and the exact same one without and be able to test lead generation. But then I'd get hit with duplicate content - LOL! If I could prove 100% that not having my photo generates more leads life would be better as I am never happy with pictures of myself.

The way I see it now is for the people I turn off I might gain someone that feels the way I do about seeing a human being featured. I wish I had the definitive answer.

SEOWolf · 05-12-2005, 02:38 PM

There are no definitive answers Judyo. Only opinions.

All we can do is go with our gut like you are and pray it works.

I do think that the market makes a difference though.

~VegasMack