In real estate everything we do has our picture attached to it. After all, isn’t it a REALTOR'S job to have customers recognize us by looking at a picture? Isn’t that part of our branding when we advertise? We look at websites and blogs and house listings and agent flyers and business cards with REALTOR pictures all day long. We want people to grow accustomed to seeing our familiar faces.
But, how many times have you finally met a REALTOR after talking on the phone with them, or seeing their print advertising for months, and you wondered who the person walking up to shake your hand was? The first thought is, this person looks nothing like their picture. HMMMM. Well, I always assumed that the REALTOR had a picture taken, put it on their card, and just kept having the cards reprinted.
I have met REALTORS at social functions, marketing meetings and seminars after years of seeing their print advertising and some look nothing at all like their pictures.
Well, guess what, the same thing happened to me recently. I met with a friend of mine that I had previously done business several years ago. As always, I reached out and handed him two of my business cards, one to keep and one to give to a friend. We exchanged hellos and he glanced down at my card. “How old were you when this picture was taken?, ” he asked. I was a bit taken aback. “What do you mean, how old was I?” Well, he said, "You look like you're 16 years old in this picture." I didn’t know if I should take that as a compliment or an insult. “Do I really look that different?” I asked. “Well, it’s not really your face that is that different, but your hair is a different color now.” Oh, I thought….that’s true. I had to think… I realized that the picture was taken 6 years ago.
I have since changed the picture on my business cards.
I wonder how many years will pass before I have to change my picture on my business cards again.
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For this very reason, I make it a point of having a new picture taken every 18 months or so....I have run across so many cards & faces that....have changed dramatically! It's not the age thing --- it is definately the HAIR thing! It also makes you look at all your ads with a fresh eye. Updating is key.
Pamela, Wow, updating every 18 months - that's a GREAT idea! I agree...for us women, when we change our hair, it completely transforms us! I have definitely had a different perspective since my experience!
Sandy having an updated picture is really important. It makes me think of all those dating horror stories where the person in the online photo looks nothing like the person who shows up for the date :)
That can be awfully expensive if you have to change all of your advertising everytime you leave the salon!
Well, I think you should at least be recognizable from your photo.
Yes, it's a great idea to stay updated on your advertising and cards. You don't have to spend a ton of money to do this, just use a new photo every 2 or 3rd order of cards. It's easy to change online pictures.
Bill, I have heard some of those funny dating stories, too. Where a stand in sits for the picture and the real person shows up for the date! Too funny!
Amanda, I do agree...changing your picture each time you leave the salon would be very very expensive. i know companies charge a set up fee for a new picture. Luckily, for me I've only dramatically changed my color once in my life and I hope to keep it that way!
Linda, There's no point of having a picture included in your ads if no one would recognize you from the picture anyway!
Hope, Online photos are easy to change out. We're putting photos online all the time.
Interestingly, recently I wrote an article and submitted it to a magazine, along with my business card picture, that had been taken at a studio. The magazine told me that my picture was copyright protected and that I would have to get permission from the studio that took my photos to reprint one in their magazine. The photo shop would not give the magazine permission to reprint MY picture in the magazine! My question to the photo shop was, what is the point in having a picture taken of myself for my advertising, when I can't use it anyway? It was crazy!