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Rainmaker
38,609
Holleay Parcker - Spinnaker Realty - Serving Clients From Corolla to Hatteras
SPINNAKER REALTY LLC - Kitty Hawk, NC
With 14 Yrs Experience in Outer Banks Real Estate

Hi James;

I don't have a picture of my dog Zeke on my business card, or on other paper marketing pieces...but he DOES have his own page on my website!  I let folks click around...if they stumble upon it, that's fine...if they don't see it, then it wasn't meant for them this time...

I've gone to some lengths to tell the story (in pictures and with videos) about how Zeke is the best real estate assistant ever.  Even blogged about it on AR, and got some really nice, fun comments about Zeke from AR members...  

I have found that when folks do find Zeke's page on my site, they are pretty happy about it.  They enjoy the page, and I enjoy knowing that his page has put a smile on a few faces.

I'm all about being professional. I just want my clients to get to know me as an individual too, and Zeke helps me do that.  Zeke is a great conversation-starter with someone I've just met.

 

 

Apr 13, 2015 04:10 AM
Ambassador
1,076,551
John Meussner
Mortgages in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IN, MD, MN, MT, NC, NJ, NV, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI - Fair Oaks, CA
#MortgageMadeEasy Fair Oaks, CA 484-680-4852

I think there can be a couple of good reasons for this.

It creates opportunity for more unique, fun marketing, rather than the same ole boring stuff.

It creates instant rapport with other pet lovers, many of whom are super passionate about their pets

If the person doing the marketing is a huge pet person, it reasons theyd enjoy working with other huge pet people, so it can attract the type of client they like most.

 

When it's done professionally, I think it's fun, and stands out in a good way.  Just the mention of this post made several AR members names pop into my head immediately because they either market with pets, or market the fact that they're pet friendly.......it must work.

Apr 12, 2015 04:04 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

I love my pets, but I don't do this. Although I have seen some very effective marketing campaigns where pets are used. 

Apr 12, 2015 03:10 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I personally do not like it but I guess if the person is all about their pet and everyone knows it and that is the message they want to convey, they may be doing the smart thing. 

Apr 12, 2015 12:28 PM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I guess they want to show that they are pet loving people.  It's all a matter of personal preference.

Apr 12, 2015 06:48 AM
Rainmaker
630,251
Ajay Pandya
e-Merge Real Estate Unlimited - Columbus, OH
Realtor Ajay Pandya

I am not sure!

Apr 15, 2018 11:25 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

No idea...we do not

Sep 10, 2017 05:47 AM
Rainer
67,369
Evelyn M Epperson
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Johns Creek, GA
A Tradition Of [Excellence, Trust & Service]

I am thinking they are hoping they get other pet lovers to buyer a home though them.

Apr 15, 2015 04:19 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I have pets, and I did use a picture with a dog one time for holiday cards( it was really cute picture). I think, the agent who always use their pets for marketing do attract pet lovers as their clients. Such picture is an instant topic for conversation to connect on a personal level.

Apr 13, 2015 06:03 PM
Rainer
27,241
Mandi Null
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN

Personally I couldn't do it. I love my dog but she's not a part of my professional life, same as my children. I can see how it creates a likability factor though. I think that you can create that same factor by getting to know your clients one on one. Such as, attending some sort of pet charity and introducing yourself and handing out your business card.

Apr 13, 2015 12:29 AM
Rainmaker
856,021
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

Good question.  I have been told that I look unapproachable or hard ass in my profile pictures.  With Halley she softens my appearance apparently.  And have received many comments to the positive on her...not so much the mutt next to her.  Mark

Apr 12, 2015 10:44 PM
Rainmaker
977,386
Brigita McKelvie, Associate Broker
Cindy Stys Equestrian and Country Properties, Ltd. - Lehigh Valley, PA
The Broker with horse sense and no horsing around

Since my niche is horse properties and farms, my photo is with my horse.  This shows others that I am a horseperson.  Who better to market these properties than a fellow horse person?

Apr 12, 2015 10:26 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

As you can see I do this, in fact my toy poddle appears with me in videos. It creates an emothional comfort with people and what often happens is that they show me pictures of their pets.

Apr 12, 2015 10:21 PM
Rainmaker
938,537
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

James, it doesn't bother me and to each their own.  There are a lot of pet loving people out there so it could actually gain more positive feelings than negative ones by posting a business card picture with a pet.

Apr 12, 2015 10:00 PM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

I think it falls in the same category as facebook pictures.  Not Professional at all!

Apr 12, 2015 01:55 PM
Rainmaker
582,106
Eric Kodner
Madeline Island Realty - La Pointe, WI
CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -

Presumably they're hoping to build affinity with pet owners.  That's nice, but it's a questionable strategy for hoping to convince a serious buyer or seller to work with you.

Apr 12, 2015 05:17 AM
Rainmaker
7,835,463
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is a good question. Pet lovers may respond positively but the appearance would be more professional sans pets.

Apr 12, 2015 03:19 AM