As a Realtor, we market not just our listings, our clients, and our Brokerages, but mainly ourselves. I can’t “sell” someone a house, per se, but I can use my own expertise to guide them through the process. I can’t “buy” someone a home, but can instead offer advice on value, condition, etc. In that way, I’m really my own product. Just like we remind our clients that if something changes in their homes while on the market (we opened the pool, it snowed, we painted the kitchen) we as pros of the industry need to make sure we stay current in the way we present ourselves as well.
Often times, our hair changes, or we grow a beard, gain or lose weight, and all of a sudden, that headshot that we’ve been using for our business cards or mailers for so many years looks like someone else. I’m as guilty as anyone- I’ve been rocking a headshot from 2015. My hair was super dark, I was super thin. I’d show up to an appointment with a new client, and I know that they were expecting me to look some other way.
I’m fortunate that I’ve got not just my go-to guy for images here on the blog, but also a full marketing department as well, armed with creative minds that can come on sight (like my front porch, above), provide full studio access, as well as offer advice and direction in presenting our own “brands.”
Just google “bad realtor headshots” and you’ll be overwhelmed with what’s out there- and what’s current! It’s intimidating to get in front of a camera. Personally, I hate being photographed, looking at a lens, and seeing pictures of myself (maybe that will change when I’m 75 and looking back at life…), but it’s inarguable that we have to keep ourselves looking fresh and current, too. I’m glad I have a team that helps me do that, and hope you do, too.
** photo by Caitlin Tudor, Semonin Realtors **
