ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mark Strüb has happily called Austin home for 10 whole years. While that doesn’t make him a native, he feels it gives him sufficient rights to the popular Austinite catch-phrase “I remember when…” In addition to talking about the unpaved used car lot that gave way to Whole Foods' World Headquarters, he enjoys Alamo Drafthouse, dining outdoors, shopping and traveling. But nothing brings Mark greater joy than spending quality time with his 5 year old son, Jack, at their home in Hyde Park. Mark has a B.S. in Radio-TV-Film from UT and makes his living helping people buy and sell homes.

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June 3, 2010

REALTOR Card With NO Photo?!

ZIDA BORICH is a very talented designer and letterpress printer that I was referred to by another very talented client of mine, Andrew Chan. See samples of both of their work by clicking their names.

Go here to read Zida's blog post about my very special business card.

My response to her post is as follows, and can be seen in the comments section of her blog.

"Zida,
I want to reiterate that I LOVE my cards, and so does anyone and everyone that I would care to make an impression on.
I bashfully admit that when I embarked into this profession, my business cards had a HUGE photo of yours truly on them. It was just the way things were done.
As soon as I got bold and took my photo off (when I started my own company) the feedback was really interesting. My card become memorable because it did NOT have my mug on it. People would say, 'Oh thank GOD you don’t have a glamor shot on here. Why do REALTORS do that?!' It was a great opportunity to jump into a discussion about how my company is different in other ways as well.
For example, it’s not about ME, it’s about YOU the client. I try to take the ego out of the work I am doing, including negotiating. If I do a SUPERB job for the client, they will sell me to their friends and family better than any glamor shot could. And that is the business I am seeking.
I worked on my 'perfect card' for 2+ years with multiple designers. You brought it home for me, and I am really grateful! My card sets the tone, and my service seals the deal. It’s a great combo. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

What do YOU think? Leave a comment and let me know what you think about headshot-driven marketing.

2 comments:

Christina Barkmann said...

I think glamor shots are a bad thing, no matter where they are posted.

Garreth "Headshot" Wilcock said...

I have to say that I don't like the idea of head shots on business cards, though I recently decided to try it out, as part of a catchy new card design.

Personally, I draw mustaches and glasses on other people's photos when I see their cards lying around. It keeps me out of trouble.