For those of you who may frown on the idea of wearing a name badge or career apparel – think twice. While attending a seminar yesterday, my colleague, Cheryl, and I went to a nearby deli to pick up a sandwich. As we entered, I mentioned to Cheryl that she had on her new black with silver logo Realty World jacket on… I said, “You watch, someday you’ll be at a store not even realizing you have that jacket on and someone will stop to ask you questions about real estate.” I remarked on how many times that had happened to me over the years (even in the days when career apparel was constructed of less than desirable material and no style whatsoever). When I have been approached, I’ve explained that I am a member of Corporate Staff but would be happy to connect them with one of our brokers or agents. We both chuckled about how many times we have heard another colleague, Dennis, talk about “off-the-chart-statistics” on the likelihood of such a conversation happening.
I had actually forgotten that I was wearing my Realty World name badge. No more than 45 seconds had passed since walking into the deli when I was approached by a woman standing in line. She proceeded to greet me with a cheerful, “Hi, do you specialize in mobile homes? I’m looking for one in the Pleasanton to Castro Valley area and want a family park, not a retirement park.” I immediately responded as a generally do saying, “I’m actually a corporate staff member, but I happen to be at a Realty World seminar today and know a broker who is attending. He has agents who specialize in that very market!” I reached in my purse and gave her two of my business cards — one to keep, the other to write her name, phone number and email on. I told her I would have a Realty World agent contact her to which she seemed very grateful for. As we left, I laughed and turned to Cheryl with a, “See….I told you!”
So, for those of you who have refrained from wearing career apparel and have, therefore, never experienced the opportunity for business simply due to a logo on a shirt or jacket… try it! I have no doubt you will be happy that you did, and I bet you find yourself buying more shirts after a couple of potential clients ask you about real estate!
Have you encountered an experience similar to this? Do you think the chances of meeting potential clients is higher based on wearing a name badge or apparel that’s representative of YOUR company? Share your story…
