I have had it on, and taken it off, and had it on and then taken it off  again.  I'm torn on this.  Because I market my website under a team name and use "we" instead of  "I" throughout the text of the site I thought my individual photo would not mesh with a team concept.  I am contemplating putting a team photo though, because sometimes I think in my own mind it seems a little impersonal without any picture at all.

Doug, great question. I have never been a fan of putting my photo on my business cards. I felt the same way when photos on sign riders were popular; to me it was promoting the agent, not the house. I know cards and web sites are about promoting us, but I think take the personal stuff out and give the customer what they want, information and listings.

BTW, I do still have my photo on my cards and web site. Next cards I order will not and I am curious to see how this post comes out.

I have mine at the bottom.  Just in case I actually ever meet any of my web site leads <grin>.  I don;t think a picture hurts anything.

I've also tried both ways and I've gotten more people to sign up and leave information when my photo was on my website.

Todd

Doug,  I look at having my photo on my card, website and signs as an opportunity to brand myself.  My main photo is me along with my logo.  Name/face recognition is very important.  When people think of real estate, I want them to think of Joe Real Estate.  If they see my face with real estate often enough then I get results.  I want people to walk up to me at the grocery store and say "hey your that realtor, can I ask you a question?"

I have mine on my website and business cards.  On my website it's at the bottom, so it doesn't "smack them in the face" as soon as they open my webpage, but it's there so they can see who I am.

Photos help with branding like Joe said.  Especially if you're niche is a particular geographic area/community.  I scoped out some garage sales this morning and don't you know, I was FAMOUS.  This lady recognized me and we struck up a good conversation.  I got 2 listing leads from her.   YIPPIEEEEE!

Branding and Garage Sales PAY OFF!

I think that stat is more reflective that 96% of us are as ugly as Shrek!  

I agree with others that biz cards and website should have pic and that is part of branding. Ya never know when you might become 'famous'.  Fact is, you do want people to personalize you and become familiar with who you are in the community.

Also agree that the pic should be subtle and not smack viewers in the face when site loads.

However, having on yard arm sign I believe is a bit much.  That IS for marketing the home.  Attraction should be phone number and/or web site address.  A mug shot is only a distraction that could prevent people from even subliminally recording the vital info.

A picture is an important part of branding but I need a new picture. I need to lose a few pounds, add some hair and lose a few years. Then I'll have the perfect brand :)

Doug,

I am also perplexed as to the efficiency of having one's picture on a website.  Websites are a distant medium that allows people from all corners of the world to contact you and I don't think they are primarily interested in what one looks like. I placed my picture only where I feel it is required: in the "Cntact Me" page.  But that's my interpretation.

On the other hand, I think a picture on  a business card is more important for that card usually gets passed around onone' turf and it also serves as a great ID card where people can make sure that the person who is handing the card over is not an imposter.

John

I have also had my face on my websites and not had it on them.  I have had my logo on and not on.  I have had both face and logo on and nothing on my websites.  It has made no difference that I can tell.  Traffic has been high when the market was high and traffic was low when the market was low.  The same % of converted leads.  I do keep my face small, however, and down in one corner or up in one corner.

The website page is so much bigger than a business card, the face doesn't overwhelm the screen like it does a card.

John, the idea that a picture on your business card acts as an ID card when handed to someone never really occured to me. You convinced me to keep my photo on my cards.

I have had several clients who found us through our website and liked the idea of working with a husband and wife team.

One person in particular said he thought we looked like a "nice couple."

Now back in the day, I used to be a hottie....now I am happy with "nice couple." (sort of like Ozzie and Harriet, only older)

use to be a hottie, now happy with "nice couple". Sharron, that is hilarious, I am still laughing over that one. LOL!! BIG TIME!

Oh what the heck?

I never was a hottie even when I was a couple. Now I am happy and still not a hottie.  Damn!

Don't worry about losing weight or ??? Just get Adobe Photoshop, it does wonders!  :)  

We have our picture two places on our home page :::blushing::: the little one P2 puts in and a photo Marcia and I took in her backyard (overlooking the San Fernando Valley).   If someone wants a non-personal relationship then go to realtor.com.  But we want the people who visit our website to get to know us and personalize us.   So we become the Realtors they know not just another REALTOR.  Also our company has a great rep so we are proud to have the company logo on our page too.  

I have seen very scary looking agent’s pictures on their business cards, so maybe if you fall into the scary looking category it would be better not to have picture but maybe so creative logo instead, kind of like the tomato, by the way where is the tomato?

Jana

Yes, Mary--I am adapting to old age along with slow market. Hmmm

I always look at the pics on web sites.  Why?  I don't know!  Maybe just nosey! 8-)  I don't have my pic on my business cards...just a patriotic theme that I also use on a lot of my post cards.  I have been thinking of putting a cute baby pic of me on my web site instead of the 10+ year old pic of me!  Thought it might be something funny.  It is obviously not a pic of one of my kids!  (I don't think they take pics like that anymore!)

Anyhow, I don't think there is a real right or wrong answer.  You just need to see what is comfortable for you.

Kay

I only have my photo on my About Me page for those who are interested in learning more about me. I still put one on my business cards just to hear people ask me how many years ago it was taken :-)

I think I'll put someone else's picture on my page, some young dude with no gray hair :) No, no this is not "My Space"...I guess I'll just keep my old picture there ;)

Interesting thread here!! My website (LivingInNorthernKY.com) does not have my picture on it...and never will! In fact, it only has my name way at the bottom of each page in a rather standard font.

Other agents say, "Bill, your site is SO ugly and nothing about you!" I just say, "Google and Yahoo are ugly sites too, but they do exactly what they were designed to do, and do it extremely well."

So many comments on branding and getting your name/face "out there" (where ever there is). Try getting their name in here!! It's far less expensive to get rich than it is to get famous.

I'll keep it that way because my website returns a minimum of an 11 to 1 return on each dollar spent, now for the fourth staright year. Of course, your mileage may vary.

Bill Kraatz

Realty Executives Champions

Serving Northern KY, Cincinnati's south side.

I have replaced my picture with the company logo ... I used to use the site at first as my personal site but that has changed and now, being the owner and having two agents, I try to promote it as our company site. Personally, as a client, I would view a site with someone's picture as too "limiting" compared to a site promoted as a general real estate site. As to my business cards, if I was to promote only myself, I would put a photo on my cards, but since I am once again trying to push my company, I only stick to logos now.

"It ain't pretty, but what you see is what you get!"  Are photos critical, no, neither are logos.  I believe they help sell.

Always had my picture on my sites.

There is arguments for both ways - I think it makes it more personal