It's a never-ending debate as to whether or not to include a photo on a real estate agent's business card. Some say yes; some say no (duh, that's the definition of a debate!).

It's interesting; when you ask the question in a public forum, most answer in the negative, explaining that "no one cares about your face" or that "doctors and lawyers don't have their pictures on their cards." Or they simply say that "it's unprofessional." (Although to argue that point just a little, is it even true that doctors and lawyers don't have photos on their cards? I don't think I have one business card in my pile of a doctor or lawyer - maybe they do use photos! Physicians aren’t in the practice of handing out business cards the way real estate agents do - and most of us find our physicians in a completely different manner from how folks find a real estate agent. Frankly, if I were searching for a physician in my handy-dandy Blue Cross/Blue Shield provider directory, I'd very likely check out the photos if they were available! And I'm positive said photo would factor into my "hiring" decision).

Anyway, back to us. Here's the thing.

Most people are really "bad with names." Just ask ‘em, they'll tell you straight out. Whenever I speak publicly, I always collect business cards from my audience and put them in a fish bowl because I like to keep my audience awake during the show by randomly giving away books and CD's. After the show, I'll go through the business cards one by one and spend several hours sending personal notes to the audience members I remember interacting with. Let me say that again – the ones "I remember interacting with."

Ninety-nine percent of the time I only write to agents with photos on their cards. Because they're the only ones I liked? Of course not. They're the only ones I remember.

From a fishbowl full of hundreds of business cards, I can remember every conversation I had with the people whose cards have a photo. The conversations I had with people without photos are completely forgotten. Sorry, but they are.

People remember faces. Ugly faces, pretty faces; doesn't matter. They may not remember the name that belongs to the face, but they know if they've seen a face before.

And the fact is, real estate agents are a dime a dozen. You may be doing an awesome job handing out your business card, but rest assured that your competition is, too. And if the "other" card sitting on someone's desk has a photo and yours doesn't, which agent is more likely to be remembered by that person?

This is not to say that having a photo (or not) on your business card will make or break your career; of course it won’t. But if you’re more likely to be remembered with a photo, doesn’t it make sense to have a photo?

Published: December 30, 2010

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Jennifer Allan-Hagedorn was a top producing real estate broker in Denver, Colorado before writing her first book in 2007. Since then, she has written several more books about the business of selling real estate including her flagship book: Sell with Soul: Creating an Extraordinary Career in Real Estate without Losing Your Friends, Your Principles or Your Self-Respect, the sequel, If You're Not Having Fun Selling Real Estate, You're Not Doing it Right and her latest, to be released in Spring 2011, Prospect with Soul for Real Estate Agents. Jennifer believes that the secret of success for real estate agents is not in aggressive marketing techniques or hard-core sales pitches, but rather in being competent in one's craft. Competence begets Confidence. And in today's world of increasingly suspicious and ad-weary consumers, having an air of self-assurance and enthusiasm will be far more effective than a slick sales campaign. Jennifer writes and speaks with this philosophy in mind. She preaches that salespeople should follow the Golden Rule in their day-to-day practice of business - treating clients and prospects respectfully, as the salesperson him or herself would like to be treated. Being competent, reliable and fair, and motivated by a true desire to earn a paycheck, not just show up at closing with hand outstretched. She is a regular contributor to several real estate newsletters and magazines, a member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame and one of the industry's most popular bloggers. You can learn more about Jennifer's "soulful" philosophies at www.SellWithSoul.com. Subscribe Below to Enroll in the Daily Seduction Newsletter Mini-Clinic - Tips and Strategies to Generate Business and Referrals From Your Sphere of Influence! Your Full Name Your Email Address