[photopress:heathbillboard_1.jpg,thumb,alignright] Russ and my exchange regarding whether or not Broker’s will ultimately have to deal with complaints about an agent’s blog, reminded my of this “Got Real Estate” Billboard.
It had mixed reviews nationally. Given Wendy works in Belmont Shores where lots of people have seen her with her husband and children, and dog of course, in her bikini, it really wasn’t a big deal. But it made national news when she was fired because of the billboard. Another broker picked her up immediately (no pun intended) and she actually got a lot of business in support of her, when people heard she was fired.
In agent forums, a lot of people from those landlocked states thought it was indecent and unprofessional. But in Belmont Shores CA, someone walking around in a business suit and pumps would actually look weirder than someone walking around in a bikini. When I worked in Manhattan Beach, I had to change my whole wardrobe. I actually stopped traffic when I walked around in my East Coast business attire, pinstriped business suit and white sneakers, like Melanie Griffith in Working Girl. My broker told me I had to ditch my Philly digs if I was going to “work the beach”. I compromised and bought some really cool black Sketchers.
What do you think about Wendy’s billboard ad?
Back before you time (I couldn’t resist), we actually covered that story on Rain City Guide… LOL!
I always thought it was a dumb ad. I realize it got her a good share of business, and in no way does it offend me, it just wouldn’t get me to work with her.
I’ll fully admit that this is stereotypical on my part, but I can’t help getting the initial impression that women (or men) who trade primarily on their looks, do so because they have little else to offer. 90% of the time, this is likely not true, but it’s still an unconscious judgment that I know I make.
For all the business she gained, I’ll bet their were even more folks like me that wouldn’t get offended and complain, but they wouldn’t choose to work with her either.
I always thought it was a dumb ad. I realize it got her a good share of business, and in no way does it offend me, it just wouldn’t get me to work with her.
I’ll fully admit that this is stereotypical on my part, but I can’t help getting the initial impression that women (or men) who trade primarily on their looks, do so because they have little else to offer. 90% of the time, this is likely not true, but it’s still an unconscious judgment that I know I make.
For all the business she gained, I’ll bet their were even more folks like me that wouldn’t get offended and complain, but they wouldn’t choose to work with her either.
Dustin, I’m really glad that something in this life was ” before my time” LOL It’s almost time to get my “1954 All Original Parts” jacket out of the closet again. It’s my “birthday suit”.
Dustin… When is the move to So Cal??
Ardell,
I love this bill board… you can keep reposting stories about it every couple of weeks for all i care!!
haha
There are and will be stories of those who get fired because they blog. Truth is, they worked for the wrong company, at least for them. Buying into your own corporate culture is a big part of job happiness and if you want to blog and your company does not want you to, make a change. Unfortunately, most people in general are not willing to take risks when it comes to employment so they defer to the organization’s mantra even though they don’t believe in it.
My best advice to real estate bloggers: find the right company and then don’t piss off your broker with what you blog about. Policy or no policy, this should do the trick.
-Russ
There are and will be stories of those who get fired because they blog. Truth is, they worked for the wrong company, at least for them. Buying into your own corporate culture is a big part of job happiness and if you want to blog and your company does not want you to, make a change. Unfortunately, most people in general are not willing to take risks when it comes to employment so they defer to the organization’s mantra even though they don’t believe in it.
My best advice to real estate bloggers: find the right company and then don’t piss off your broker with what you blog about. Policy or no policy, this should do the trick.
-Russ
If the billboard is on the beach, in a beach community, with lots of people walking around on the beach, and life’s a beach…
Who cares?
Of course, if the billboard is near the downtown exit of the freeway in Minneapolis in January, then I’d be concerned.
What’s not to like? Hey, if you’ve got it, flaunt it.
If you’re looking for a Realtor and this offends you, just keep looking.
If you’re a Realtor and this offends you, get over it. Worry about your own marketing, not someone elses…
What’s not to like? Hey, if you’ve got it, flaunt it.
If you’re looking for a Realtor and this offends you, just keep looking.
If you’re a Realtor and this offends you, get over it. Worry about your own marketing, not someone elses…
The purpose of the billboard is to get your attention & it succeeds at that. It’s appropriate for the location. What’s the big deal?
But no realtor billboard I ever saw made me want to pull off the road and contact the agent. Rather, it elicited only comments like –oh that’s nice, weird, different, interesting, stupid……we are an ad numbed society.
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