Im going to start school in August but im already starting a business plan now and Ive run into a couple of questions.


1)As an agent can you choose a website domain like JohnDoerealestate.com or Santarosarealty.com? Im wondering if these names make you sound to much like a brokerage and not an agent? What are the rules?

2)On your Business Cards do you have to have the company logo you work for like century21 or Prudential on the cards?

3) If you dont have to put their logo can you make one of your own or would that make me sound too much like a broker?



I keep reading about how you have to make a good business plan and that you are pretty much on your own to get clients. I guess im a little confused about how much of a business you can build up for yourself without making you sound like a business or a broker.

If you are licensed as a sales agent rather than a broker you are sponsored by a broker. Discuss these questions with your broker as there is likely more than one answer to each (the answers might even influence what broker you want to sponsor you).

Depending on the company you intend to join, some has stiffer regulations vs. others. So, instead of spending time in the nitty gritty parts of the business plan, I'm sure you would have concentrated on the "bigger" picture of your business.

Thanx Peeps,

I guess my whole thing is that I wanted to start buying some domain names so that they don't get taken by the time I become an agent. I wasn't sure if I was allowed to use domain names that had "realestate" or "realty" behind your name or city because it kinda made it sound like you are a brokerage.


Also I wanted my business cards to last for years and years. If I switch Brokerages a couple of times then people would have my card with the old brokerage and not the new one. If people call that office and Im no longer there, I can lose a % of my SOI.

Aftermath,

You can choose any domain name that you find suitable for your website, unless your broker has a policy that you can't.

As to business cards, you should be able to put your cell or home office number on your cards. I have never heard of a broker who objected to that. Check with your broker though.

don't buy a domain name that has "realtor" as part of the name; NAR legal department might be contacting you

ALWAYS promote yourself, not the brokerage!

Lets say you are named mike jones and worked with xyz realty. If at all possible, never use an e-mail address like mike.jones@xyzrealty.com or the company telephone number(s)!

If you can, be sure to use/promote your own personal contact information and web site. That way, no matter where you go, you'll have always promoted yourself and not the brokerage.

If you use a brokerage owned web site and e-mail, do you think that they will forward the inquiries to you at your new company? Nope!

You should (and probably will be required to) use the logo for the company that you are associated with. It is best to do so as it adds legitimacy and credibility.

Best of luck to you!

^^^^^

Thats what I was thinking and wanted to know if you had to put the logo on your business cards. Whenever I look at a business card I always notice the logo first and If all your cards have the Centry 21 Logo and I move over to Prudential then people may not contact me because they have associated me with that brokerage.

You can have that as long as it's part of your personal real name, such as JohnDoeRealtor.com

You can not have use it as part of a geographic location or as a description:

smithvillerealtor.com
bestrealtor.com

(unless of course, your last name is Best, like the guy who used to play Roscoe P. Coltrane on the Dukes...lol)

To answer the OP's questions, some of your answers will be found in state law and the others are up to the individual broker - the state law in PA requires that your brokerage be named and be obvious on all advertisement - cards, web sites, signs.

My advice: do not hang your license on the wall of a broker who refuses to let you have your own website or who requires you to use only the "company" website. Or who requires that you use only a company email address, or any of that nonsense. That's what you call "over controlling." LOL.

There are enough other brokerages out there that aren't run by control freaks.

What you need to do is contact your people and let them know that you have moved. I know that you won't have the contact info of everyone that you hand cards out to but you should try to get at least an email address from everyone you can, so you can keep them updated on the local real estate news..etc. Then when you move, just send out a massive email to them all.

If you have your cell phone and email address on there you can always say too "It's best to reach me on my cell" so they're not calling the office looking for you. If someone nice answers the phone they may send the person to you at your new office, if they know where it is....but that's only if the secretary or agent answering the phone really liked you.

So when you hand out your business card, you can circle your cell and email with a red pen or something and say "The best way to reach me is my cell or by email, as my time in the office is unpredictable."

You stay in touch with your SOI. It will give you a excuse to call if you switch.

As far as the logo goes, not only check with your Broker (a must to see what their policies are) but also check with your state real estate commission. Here we have to put the company name and/or logo on just about anything, so be sure to check your state laws.

Some of our agents send a "Moved to a new Brokerage" type postcard to send to their past clients and current SOI when they transfer companies as well. Just another way to keep in touch with your SOI.

sunshine shanon

The best advice I can give you is that from experience. I have been in the financial industry for over 10 years. It is not an easy road to travel but one that is well worth it. When I started I was not sure what to do or how to do it. Thank God that I had my business partner who was more knowledge than me at that time.

To answer your questions: there are plenty of domain names out there that you can purchase that will grab your clients attention. Remember you do not have to own one domain name and use just that one. If you own several domain names and hire a proper SEO individual you can according get a lot of business that way. To use as an example johndoerealestate.com makes you sound more like a brokerage than an individual agent. That can be a good leading misconception. Many of the people feel more secured when they are going to a bigger brokerage than to an individual. So my advice in regards to this issue would be to purchase several domain names that you find interesting. Such as johndoerealestate.com, buyahouse.com, and so forth. Once you do acquire them then you can decide which one will represent you and which will hold as your back bone.

In regards to business cards, I personally like the old classic professional simple look. Yes something fancy attracts new individuals but the simple business style card is professional.

to put a logo on a business card sometimes does not make sense. If the logo is outrageous and not professional than do not put it on the business card. Again I do like the old professional design. something simple. If you have clients coming in, they know who you are. Most of the business is refferal not lead generated.

Hope this helps. Email me any questions that you do have. I am have no problems helping you out.

---------------
Paul S.
Equity Security
Office: (718) 715-4110
Fax: (718) 987-1098
Email: equitysecurity@gmail.com

put your companies logo on the card. But verbage doesnt matter as the general customer/client wont know the difference between a broker or agent.

Business cards are cheap. You'll probably want to change them out every year anyway, so don't worry about creating something that will "last". Pay more attention to making them attractive! People will hold onto a nice-looking business card more readily than a plain-old generic "I'm a real estate agent" one.

In Alabama, it's law that the brokerage name be bigger than the agent name on all advertising. Sheesh.