I always thought those realtor mug shots on cars doors, buisness cards and websites are cheezy. Does it really make any difference?

I'm working on my website now and plan to win them over with good content instead of trying to be "their friend" like many other agents seem to do.

Showcase your clients properties, not your face!

Let them know that too! Content is your best friend!!!

Scott

Thanks. That I will do. Unfortunately, I don't have any listings though, but my website is one of the main marketing tools I plan to use, with lots of photos for every home and a URL to this site on every home's flyer. I figure this will weed out a lot of lookers and save my sellers some time.

If you're attractive, it's certainly a benefit. I'm not, at least I don't think I am. Very unscientific study...I removed my photos from my website except for the About Me page...my leads increased.

I think having a photo on there somehow makes the site less professional. People think you're just another self-absorbed realtor. Besides, no need to give them a reason to make snap decisions about you. I'm pretty young, so I don't want people to think I'm incapable just because of that.

I actually spoke to a large print media publisher about the use of photos in agent advertising. He was very adamant that the use of a photo helps establish a connection between the reader and the agent.

When we put together a site we usually place a small photo of the agent in the masthead. Of course, some agents want a larger photo of themselves on the page.

The focus of the site must be about the buyer client demographic and not the agent, but a small photo can help establish a connection between the reader and the agent.

I gave alot of thoughts to this and for the past 3 years, I never did put my picture on my website. With my new website, I'm doing it a little different. I'm also printing my business with my pic on it too.

After I surveyed a good number of people, the "ladies" prefer to have a face to the name. The "guys" didnt really care but it didnt hurt.

I've known that real estate is about the people relationship. So, no harm putting a face on my website and my business cards, I think! My MarketingMe plan.

And my experience with "finding" a realtor for a rental in another state, we picked the "best" looking realtor. Yes, that wasnt really smart. And we eventually didnt use her, because she has a partner and the partner took our call.

My plan is to do all the trust building BS offline, when I meet people face to face. When they first inquire about a listing or buying a home, it's the knowledge and response time that matters.

I just can't get over how cheezy all those realtor photos look. I don't want people to get the impression I'm another one of those self-absorbed agents. Maybe I'll end up doing it if the site doen't produce any leads.

Btw, getting advice from media publishers is like askin a mechanic if your car needs repairs. They make money on those photos so of course they'll say it's needed.

Do any of you have a website WITHOUT photos that ends up bringing in a lot of leads? That should have been my questions, I guess.

well, try it and tell us... i'm not really sure if it matters coz i was getting calls, because i have very good content on my website.

i just have a different thought about the face to the name now.

There was a study that I read about 2 years ago that said your photo was the worst thing you could have on your site. Test it w/ and w/o a photo and see what works best in your area.

You need to establish some type of identity, and for most realtors, it means putting a face with the business. For others, it might mean a more generic identity, such as a distinct logo that people will remember.

I agree that you shouldn't overwhelm your visitors with a cheesy looking glamour shot, however a small pic would seem appropriate.

We actually took both approaches with our site:

- we went for a unique logo and an agent picture on one of our sites: http://www.MarinModern.com

- for the other site, we included a small agent picture within the navigational frame which also includes a larger photo of a 'relevant' home. See http://www.eichlerforsale.com

Again, you need to establish yourself somehow. The focus should always be on the property and your service/capabilities but don't eliminate some type of personal/branding presence all together.

Here's another couple cents worth. Before I got in the biz....when agents left their marketing materials on my front door...I used them, but I always removed their business cards if they had a photo on them. I just didn't want people I didn't know cluttering up my refridgerator. I have to think I'm not the only one who did this.

I have both photo and non-photo business cards. I give the photo cards to other agents, when I view homes and to clients. I use the non-photo cards with my marketing pieces.

I wouldn't put your picture on the front page of your site, unless you are a famous person.

The reason for this is a lot of people will create an instant opinion about you and your products based on how you look.

And unless you are a well known and highly admired celebrity, chances are very good that some people will form negative opinions about the way you comb your hair, or the glasses you wear, or the clothes you wear, or the way you smile - or something about you - that will cause them not to order from you.

My basic rule is to remove all the negatives from the main page of the site - and only leave the positive.

And having a photo of yourself plastered on the front page, is not always a positive to every visitor. Some people will be turned off because you are too old, too young, look too slick, not slick enough - there are thousands of reasons.

That's why I wouldn't recommend anyone place a photo of themselves on the front page of their site.

If you must have a photo, place it on the 'about me' page - and make sure you are doing something constructive in the photo (something that adds credibility).

Another reason not to have your photo on your site - invariably someone will download the image, alter it, and redistribute it elsewhere on the net. Usually the results will not be flattering.

I don't use my picture because of safety reasons. There are too many loonies out there, and I don't want to become someones target. We have had some issues here involving female agents being harassed. Better to be safe than sorry.

if you could poll your market area to find out what most people thought would be the image of a perfect Realtor, would you match up? Is your image in tune with your target market? Why your image and not the image of a satisfied target client, or their vision of what a perfect Realtor should look like.

Your question falls into the realm of marketing, and not a question of vanity. Look around at the successful players in the industry in your market, then look in the mirror.

It depends on what your goals are with your website. If you are branding yourself - not with a mugshot, but a series of images and personal information to help clients connect to you - then you absolutely MUST have pictures on your site. Take a look at http://www.MissSanLeandro.com for a great example of this.

If your intention is to provide non-intimidating information for prospects to access, then do not provide a picture. This type of info works well for obtaining information from a client via a lead capture page. Check out http://www.EastBayPropertyPricer.com for an example of a lc page.

Good luck,

Regarding the http://www.MissSanLeandro.com site, there is a large Keller Williams logo on the site however after the agents name it says "Remax Executive". You might want to delete one of them

For the most part I think a website with your picture is not what you want. I recently subscribed to Successwebsite. Their templates are totally customizable. It is packed with useful information for buyers/sellers, has affiliate pages in which you can sell to your Loan Officers, Real Estate Attorney, Title company and other vendors you are working with.

If your intention is a site that will generate leads, or a site that will provide information, hence gaining a prosepct's trust, then you are right.
However, image advertising definitely has its place as it disarms prospects and allows them to approach you with much comfort. I just had someone email me this weekend with interest in one of my listings. Though that property had an offer in already, I was able to refer her to my lender, who pre-approved her, and we are submitting an offer tomorrow on another property.
Had it not been for my web presence, I believe that this is one transaction that I would not have!

Best of luck,

I guess you have a point. However, I believe that once you make contact with the prospect, prequalify him or her and meet with them in your office and demonstrate that you have a sincere desire to help them that's when you build trust. My website does not have my picture, it is loaded with useful information for buyers/sellers and generated five leads last month from an add that I ran in a local newspaper. My loan officer is helping him qualify for a mortgage and have two clients that will be purchasing in six months.

That's fantastic! A website that generates leads is great, but . . .

a closed transaction is even better.

All of that being said, there is definitely a place for each different type of site. It depends on each individual agent's marketing plan, goals, budget, etc.

Best of luck,

My competitors profile photo has actually helped my business:


http://i3.tinypic.com/246vvhv.jpg


I've been SO tempted to try this for a day.

I wish I could view the image, but it comes up as broken.

I have noticed a lot of websites with not only the agents photo but also a group picture with their family. Usually in the about me section. I suppose this conveys the image of being a upstanding member of the community.

GulfWinds, swap photos with that on Halloween. You know you wanna....

I probably depends on what you look like. If you're very capable and professional looking I think you should have a photo. It's nice to have a face to the name when you're thinking about working with someone

of course, by the time I have my license I will still look very young. The only reason I'm holding out on getting mine now is because people think that i'm still in high school and not many people would want to put such a big decision in their life in the hands of a teenager