Inspired in part by what Seth Godin has said about business cards, and in part by Bloodhound’s “Flashed Cards” series, I decided to have a few “experimental” business cards printed for last weeks National Association of Realtors Convention and Expo.
Real estate agent cards tend to all look the same. There is the ubiquitous “glamor shot” (often taken years ago) and some sort of logo — a big balloon, an outdated 21st Century thing, a big EXIT sign, whatever. Add to that brokerage name, office phone, cell phone, fax number, email, website (often missing, which seems. . . well. . . stupid), etc etc.
Sometimes you can’t really tell if the card is for the agent, the broker, the brokerage, or the mother ship in the case of franchised offices.
I wanted a card that would stand out. Something that would make people notice it, and preferably say something about it — which of course leads to an opportunity to engage the person holding it. And what better place to test a new card concept than at a real estate convention filled with agents and real estate vendors.
Here is what I came up with:
Front of card:
Back of card:
That’s it.
Every single time I handed out one of these cards, people flipped it over. Seeing the back was blank, they flipped it back to the front. Some did that a couple of times.
Then one of two things happened..
Many looked quite puzzled and said, “where is the rest?”
Some smiled, nodded slightly and said, “this is brilliant!”
The specific reaction isn’t the point.
That there was a reaction — every time — is the point.
What is your first reaction?
[tags]real estate marketing, business cards[/tags]
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I actually did something similar when I went to convention last month; Only I included a ‘bridge’ photo of the Cleve skyline.
I think it’s a great idea!
Gives a whole new meaning to the term “minimalist”. I like it. Hey, whatever gets the job done.
Wow, that is pretty awesome. I have a pretty neat card myself, it’s colored front and back. The back has my site address and the logo ‘The most powerful MLS Search in the CSRA!!” on it.
You can see the front of the card on my contacts page. It’s nowhere the conversation piece yours is though!
When you handed one to me, I turned it over. I then fell into the “brilliant” catagory.
Try this. The back can be all white, all black or the same thing repeated on both sides. In real life, I might do the type even smaller and lighter.
I like the look. I have greatly simplified my own card because it had too much on it and the print was too small. I discovered that if I just had one phone number, no address and my domain name that people can actually read it. Some think it looks silly, one of my fellow bloggers even said it looked unprofessional but I am sticking with it, even though none of the comments have been positive.
You can count me in the brilliant camp.
It works because you have the right keywords in the URL.
Jay — Have you been able to track blog traffic with this yet?
I’d imagine this idea will prove to be pretty damn smart. I’m not surprised.
Does it pass muster with the state advertising rules? No EHOA logo, no brokerage information …
Not to be a party pooper but I thought you had to have all of that.
That’s hilarious. Admittedly, I actually thought there was something wrong with the page – I didn’t read the whole post at first. I reloaded the page, I figured an image in one, or both of the boxes didn’t load properly. I caught on after reading the rest of the post! Great card for the internet savvy consumer. You can maybe spruce it up by having the URL inside an internet browser search box image with your favicon to the left!
Thanks for the feedback folks!
Jeff (Brown) – daily readership varies wildly, so may be difficult to track. I do see several new faces in MyBlogLog. Time will tell I suppose.
JD: great question, and one I pondered. I *think* I could make an argument that this “card” is simply promoting a web site/blog. I don’t know if that would fly or not. It’s probably pushing the envelope. I’m going to run it by the legal hotline and see what they say.
Like a Zen koan. My one hand is clapping.
Jay, I’m sorry we didn’t meet at NAR. But perhaps at Inman NY? That’s where all the real fun is… btw, I need a female roommate, room already reserved, and didn’t you twitter you were looking for a roommate? My partner Guy might be interested. Anyway, I digress…
Guy and I do the same thing for renorealtyblog.com, only we put our lovely photo-shopped b&w pictures on the back with a little slogan, nothing more. We handed them out at Inman SF and got a magnificent traffic spike shortly thereafter. We also handed these out at NAR, where people worshipped the simplicity of design, but who knows if they’ll actually visit? We shall see…
Diane
Diane –
I think we *just* missed each other a couple of times. I saw your card at AR’s “crib” – very nicely done.
Yes, Inman NY! I’ll be speaking at the BloggersConnect, but am staying through Friday for the whole conference. I’ve got room reservations already, had a roomie lined up but things happened. Let me know if Guy is interested.
Simple. Genius.
I scrolled up and down and up again, waiting for more images to load. When people have too much on their card, ultimately nothing is deemed of importance and everything is lost in the blur. In this case, there is no question what you believe is important and what you want to convey to the recipient. Nicely done.
I do think it is brilliant but I know for a fact it would never fly here. I have to include the brokerage name and office number at the least. If they get their number then I am putting my cell at the least. But I do love the minimalist look! – Ashley
Jay, I haven’t gone as far as you but definitely like the minimalist approach, which keeps the message clear. I don’t post contact info on the FBS Blog, so I felt it was important to have some on the card.
Really cool– I might try the idea as one of my fsbo/expired mailing campaign touches… with a url set up specifically for the target audience.
Thanks!
Yeah, I like it. Unfortunately, my Broker is STRICTLY by the book, and I could never put this out without AZ Dept. of RE advertising guidelines met. However, it definitely grabs attention from all the other cards out there if you can get away with it. It will hit home with the internet savy generation- but, there’s still an old school refusing-to-change generation who wants a phone and fax (they don’t do email) out there. Granted, their getting fewer and fewer, but- they still exist. Please keep us posted on how it goes!!! If nothing else, you can always put the requirements on the other side, if you have to…
I like it. I saved it. Brilliant.
BTW you were standing right next to Diane at the crib. LOL! I think I even have a photo of the two of you in the same frame.
kk
I had an old freind, His card had his photo of him standing in a graveyard, leaning up against a large tombstone. The quote on the card said “call before it’s too late” He had a heart condition that I did not know about. Great card, great thought!
Jay, NikNik, Chad and I did the same thing at the last Inman Connect and it worked great. Every person looked close at our business card and then made a comment. Our business card even made the Inman blog the day after the bloggers and beer party. -Reggie
It must have cost you a fortune. I mean..how many hours did it take for you to think of this great idea.
Absolutely brilliant.
It says all that it needed to, nothing that it did not. Where: Phoenix Arizona What/Why: Real Estate Who:You’re the Guy to work with.
I love it. It’s the kind of marketing I am drawn to. Think of it this way. People don’t want bells, whistles and carnival barker approaches to important transactions. Keeping it simple from the beginning indicates a willingness to do the same in the transaction. People could care less if you have a dog or if “spouses sell houses”. Tell them you’re provide professional consultation and representation and then prove it in your actions. What a concept.
I would move the required licensing stuff to the back of the card and make it a permanent part of your marketing effort. I would even do the same with print stuff.
Did people think it was brilliant? My business partner has 30 years of experience in the real estate business, he made it a point to bring your card over to me and tell me how impressed he was with it. Nuff said.
Awesome. I am pretty sure this is a conference only card. Right Jay?
Just Awesome. I am sure this will copied at RE conferences everywhere.
Although others have already said what I first thought, I am sticking with it!
Absolutely Brilliant!
I think thats a great Idea. If you provide space for someone to write something important on it, like a friends phone number etc. It will greatly increase the lifespan of your biz card.
I’d have to say it’s brilliant! I think I’m going to try this out and leave a few cards every place I go and see what happens.
It is brilliant in the minimalist sense. I have been trying to come up with a business card myself but have not gotten around to it because I do not have a logo yet which would help.
Neverless, what is a better way to simply start passing out your website information, a simple card with the address alone on it.
After all, if they need more information, just go to the website.
Keep on inspiring, Mr. Phoenix Real Estate Guy
Simple, yet quite effective. Sometimes less is more, and this might be one of those times.
nice post… i like this informative information of …. more post please.
Smart and Simple. I love it! I would def. call you
Smart and Simple. I love it! I would def. call you