There are three facts of life that will never change: death, taxes, and real estate agents arguing over whether or not to include a photo on their business cards and marketing materials. The two sides are often firmly opposed, with one side arguing that business cards with photos are more memorable and better at establishing a connection, and the other side arguing that cards without a photo are more professional and help keep the focus on buyers and sellers. To help you decide which is right for your business, we’ve compiled a couple of the pros and cons for each point of view.
Real estate business cards without photos
Pro: Creativity. It might seem odd to suggest that getting rid of the photo can free you up to be more creative, but when you consider the sheer number of real estate business cards that include an agent photo, it starts to make sense. Without having to arrange all your information around your headshot, a card without a photo can stand out through bold color, logos, or other real-estate-related themes.
Pro: Focusing on what you do, not what you look like. Keeping your photo off or your Century 21 business card makes it easier to focus on building a relationship with a potential client around the value you provide. People will be more likely to describe you as “that realtor who specializes in military relocations” instead of “that blond real estate agent”.
Con: Lost opportunities for recognition. For many people, it’s easier to recognize a face than it is to recognize a name. They might have seen your card sitting out at an open house, or had a friend pass along one of your cards. If your real estate business card doesn’t feature a photo, you may be missing out on some of those opportunities for recognition and credibility-building.
Real estate business cards with photos
Pro: Make a better connection. There’s a reason that photos are everywhere when it comes to social media: it’s much easier to develop a connection with a real person than it is with an abstract icon. Including a photo on your business card helps potential clients start to connect with you on a human level from your very first interaction, and reinforces the connection every time they see your face.
Pro: Get recognized in your local market. There’s something to be said for the celebrity factor! When people see your face on all your Century 21 marketing materials, they start to feel like they know you. Before long, you’ll find yourself being stopped at the grocery store, at the dry cleaner, or at the park. If you live and work in the same area, it doesn’t get much better than having everyone know your name and how to reach you.
Con: Photo business cards get out of date – and dated – quickly. If you do want to include a photo on your real estate business card, keeping it updated can be tricky. Change the photo too often, and you lose the benefit of a consistent brand image. Don’t change it often enough, and you end up with a photo that’s years out of date.
As you can see, there are many valid opinions on both sides of the divide. Some real estate professionals solve this dilemma by carrying cards with photos as well as cards without photos; others may go back and forth over the course of their career. Whichever direction you choose, BestPrintBuy has the high-quality Century 21 business cards you need to make a great first impression.