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#294563 - 06/11/09 10:27 PM
Re: never use your brokers name in your email or website!
[Re: Perky_REALTOR]
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Member
Registered: 01/15/09
Posts: 106
Loc: NJ
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My business cards from NJ, broker name (logo) is biggest, my name is a little smaller, and the brokers address, office phone, office fax, my cell, and my email address (verizon email addy) are all a little smaller than my name, but the same size as each other.
I do have a broker-issued email address, but I use that to just get company emails and collect spam. I give everyone my verizon.net email that is tied to my home ISP.
My website domain is registered to me, but the template for the site is broker-branded with my own content mixed in, and they host it for me. Someday, when and if I go to another broker, I'll have to have someone build a site for me, basically copy my content from my existing website, and wait until my license is transferred to let it go live. Shouldn't be too hard, just "give me basically the same site, but change the broker name"
My blog is all me on Wordpress.
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#294582 - 06/12/09 12:30 AM
Re: never use your brokers name in your email or website!
[Re: Rainbowtyedye]
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Veteran Member
Registered: 12/05/06
Posts: 1152
Loc: Wild Wild West
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Our shop just merged with a big-name franchise which does not permit agents/ABs to put their own website on business cards, or their own email addresses, either. Neither do they permit any designations after your name. They do permit me to use "Associate Broker".
ALL websites MUST be name@firstname.lastname.com. So, we all had to go out and register those types of domains and have them forwarded to our personal websites. My website is 9 years old, and I was NOT going to give that up. Unfortunately, I can't have it on my business card.
My business card, as an advertising/branding tool is totally useless.
I still use my website domain name email addresses. I only use the company email address to keep up with what the main office sends me, nothing more than that.
It seemed to me that the Big Name Franchise doesn't understand the importance of agent marketing/branding. It seems as though they want us all to be part of The Borg. No individualism whatsoever. You spend years branding yourself, and it meant nothing to them. Even photos on the business cards had to be B&W. Looks soooooo 50's.
Nametags don't permit even the DB to have "Broker" under his name. His nametag looks the same as the receptionist's. I purely don't get it. I think it'd be important if you are the DB or an AB to have that on your nametag. I mean, you did work to get that. But, nooooooo.
The agents who had used the previous franchise's email address had to send out tons of change of em address notifications. That alone should have taught them not to do that again!
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#294631 - 06/12/09 11:19 AM
Re: never use your brokers name in your email or website!
[Re: DueDiligence]
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Major Contributor
Registered: 11/02/07
Posts: 1726
Loc: Central New York
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I've never been with a franchise office, but it seems to me, as an outsider looking in, that the franchise's priority is the franchise name. Agents come and go. But the BIG NAME is the one the franchise cares about... THEIR big name.
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#294632 - 06/12/09 11:24 AM
Re: never use your brokers name in your email or website!
[Re: neudot]
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Major Contributor
Registered: 01/27/07
Posts: 2746
Loc: LAND OF THE FREE!
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negotiate it with your broker. i would not use thier stuff as it only benefits them.
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#294635 - 06/12/09 12:21 PM
Re: never use your brokers name in your email or website!
[Re: Perky_REALTOR]
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Major Contributor
Registered: 11/12/06
Posts: 1623
Loc: The Beach
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I would quit and move to another brokerage immediately. Ditto
_________________________
Jennifer Allan, GRI RE/MAX Hall of Fame Author of Sell with Soul, Creating an Extraordinary Career in Real Estate without Losing Your Friends, Your Principles or Your Self-Respect
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#294644 - 06/12/09 03:05 PM
Re: never use your brokers name in your email or website!
[Re: Jennifer Allan]
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Major Contributor
Registered: 11/15/06
Posts: 1984
Loc: The Middle of the Interstate
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I felt the same way when I read the post about the franchise rules. Sounds a little too much Big Brother for me.
_________________________
Broker-Owner Thirteen Years REO Experience
GRI,CRS,CRB,e-Pro
Some days I feel like the bug, other days I feel like the windshield
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#294694 - 06/12/09 10:31 PM
Re: never use your brokers name in your email or website!
[Re: PA Roadkill]
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Major Contributor
Registered: 01/27/07
Posts: 2746
Loc: LAND OF THE FREE!
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^^^^^^^^^^^same...i would be gone too!
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#295092 - 06/16/09 01:45 PM
Re: never use your brokers name in your email or website!
[Re: estatereal]
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Member
Registered: 11/12/08
Posts: 78
Loc: USA
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Post caught my eye. Seems like some very bad blanket statement advice. Real estate advertising varies from State to State. You would want to check with your state's Real Estate Commission before you take any advice given outside of the rules you are bound to by both your Broker and your State's commission. It is possible that it may be fine to leave out your Broker from your email. Your real estate web site, however, would be different, since of course you would be advertising real estate on your site (I hope). In this event, here is a snippet from my State's RE advertising law: Rule 520-1-.09 (1) Media. This rule regulates advertising whether done personally by a licensee or through any media. The term “media” includes, but is not limited to, print, photographic, broadcast, and computer media including, but not limited to, such examples as newspapers, magazines, flyers, posters, business cards, billboards, radio, television, signs (including, but not limited to, office, directional, for sale, for lease, sold, or vehicle signs) , newsletters, and the Internet.
[Editor's Note: (New language is underscored. Deleted language is struck through . Unchanged language is not marked.)
Required that when licensees advertise a specific property or properties for sale, for rent, or for exchange, the name of the licensed firm offering the property must appear in equal or greater size, prominence, and frequency than the name or names of any affiliated licensees or groups of licensees.
Rule 520-1-.09 (7) Firm Names and Telephone Numbers in Advertising. In advertising a specific property or specific properties for sale, for rent, or for exchange in any media:
(a) all firms must include in the advertisement a name of the firm that is registered with the Commission and a telephone number for the firm, except when complying with lawful restrictions (such as covenants or local governmental ordinances) that forbid the use of the firm's name on a particular type of sign;
(b) the name of the licensed firm offering the property for sale, for rent, or for exchange shall appear in equal or greater size, prominence, and frequency than the name or names of any affiliated licensee or groups of licensees;
(c) the firm's telephone number shall appear in equal or greater size, prominence, and frequency than the telephone number of any affiliated licensee or groups of licensees, and it must be a number at which the public can reach the broker or a manager without going through the affiliated licensee(s) listed in the advertisement;
(d) whether contained in a logo or standing alone, the name of the firm as registered with the Commission must be in equal or greater size, prominence, and frequency than the name of any affiliated licensee or group of licensees; and
(e) a block advertisement in any print media that advertises various listings of a brokerage firm and includes the name of the listing agent next to each listing shall be in compliance with this rule if the name of the brokerage firm appears only once at the top of the advertisement in equal or greater prominence and print size than any of the listing agent's names. The firm's name may be located in other positions in such block advertisements if the firm name appears clearly larger and more prominently than the name of any other licensee in the advertisement.
Note: The broker may always impose more stringent requirements as company policy. Regards.
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#295192 - 06/17/09 07:30 AM
Re: never use your brokers name in your email or website!
[Re: Integrity1]
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Veteran Member
Registered: 10/14/07
Posts: 1215
Loc: Outer Banks
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Post caught my eye. Seems like some very bad blanket statement advice. Real estate advertising varies from State to State. You would want to check with your state's Real Estate Commission before you take any advice given outside of the rules you are bound to by both your Broker and your State's commission.
It is possible that it may be fine to leave out your Broker from your email. Your real estate web site, however, would be different, since of course you would be advertising real estate on your site (I hope). In this event, here is a snippet from my State's RE advertising law:
Regards. There is nothing here that would even imply that you have to use your broker's email address.
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#295199 - 06/17/09 08:03 AM
Re: never use your brokers name in your email or website!
[Re: Bigtoe]
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Major Contributor
Registered: 08/27/05
Posts: 1620
Loc: Missouri
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Real estate agents choose where to place their licenses, so why would anyone choose to work at a brokerage that mandates a specific email address? I can certainly understand regulation of the corporate logo usage, but mandating individual email addresses goes too far.
I choose to work at a "name brand" brokerage, rather than setting up my own shop, but I established my own domain name and address when I first went into real estate. I intend to keep that email address where ever I go. I just won't go anywhere that will not allow me to do so.
_________________________
REALTOR®, Broker/Salesperson, GRI, ABR
REO listing/selling since 2004; BPOs
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#295221 - 06/17/09 10:37 AM
Re: never use your brokers name in your email or website!
[Re: estatereal]
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Member
Registered: 11/12/08
Posts: 78
Loc: USA
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Ah, I read the post title as, "never use your brokers name in your email or website!" maybe it should read, "don't use your broker's name as part of your email address or domain name unless you have to" as there were several posts talking about size of logo and such (referring to content).
There doesn't have to be a conspiracy theory against the big bad broker. Many agents want to have the instant name recognition of their very popular, well known, trusted Brokerage name. When we join together under our Broker putting our team's name out there as much as possible, collectively we can create a positive presence for the team as a whole, and will be greater standing together as one, than a bunch of "every man for himself'ers."
When I was under a Broker, I played along with a team spirit. It was her brokerage name in my emails, business cards, web site, her office phone number, etc. While I was on that team and paying my dues (figuratively and literally), I helped build that team. I was confident enough that one day when I left (she knew that was my intention from day one - I don't promise infinite employment but I do promise team spirit), that people would remember me from that great team, and would continue to do business with me - and I was right. Bottom line is: when I was on a team, I was totally committed to that team.
The more you disassociate yourself with the Broker's established brand (no broker name in email address, no broker name in domain name, or wherever it may be permissible) the more you lose their Brand, and less of a team Brand you will help create.
With that mentality, when/if you are all on your own, I hope you get a bunch of agents just like you. Maybe then you'll understand what it's all about.
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#295229 - 06/17/09 11:40 AM
Re: never use your brokers name in your email or website!
[Re: Integrity1]
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Major Contributor
Registered: 07/27/06
Posts: 3665
Loc: Dayton Ohio
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I understand the whole team thing, branding thing, etc. as an agent. I can see the brokers side wanting a consistant branding. I've talked to brokers who said no way I could use my own email address or website, It came from the company. It was not a fit for me.
Im a fan of buying used cars. I have a salesman that I trust, he has served my family over many years. I have given his card out to many people. Over the years, he has changed dealerships. My last truck I bought from him was an F-150. He worked at a GM dealership. I called him on his cell phone, not the Company Number. I told him what I was looking for and guess what, he found what I wanted. When I felt like his dealership was raking me over the coals for a repair he went over and talked to the service people, came back and said take it to this place, they are waiting for you and alot cheaper.
The point being building a "Team Image" only makes the Broker money. So when I leave the brokerage I want my clients to remember ME as an agent, not the company. I want them to call me directly, email me directly. I do not want my clients calling into my brokerage office. If I was a broker, I guess I would want that kind of control. As an agent I will not give up that kind of control.
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This Google Custom search may do a better job of searching the forums for some keywords than the old forum search does. The results do not include threads from the Asset Managers Forum however. To search that forum you will need to be actually in the Asset Managers Forum and you will need to use the old forum search below.
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Registered: 02/02/10
Posts: 6
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