Protect Yourself with Smart Marketing Materials

Consider these tips in preparing or updating the information you use to get business:

• All of your marketing materials should be polished and professional. Don’t use alluring
  or provocative photography in advertising, on the Web or on your business cards. There
  are many documented cases of criminals actually circling photographs of their would-be
  victims in newspaper advertisements. These victims were targeted because of their appearance
  in the photograph.
• Limit the amount of personal information you share. Don’t use your full name with middle
  name or initial. Use your office address rather than your home address—or list no address
  at all. Giving out too much of the wrong information can make you a target.
• Concentrate on your professional proficiency rather than personal information in newspapers,
  resumes and business cards.
• Be careful how much personal information you give verbally as well. Getting to know
  your client does not need to include personal information about your children, where you
  live and who you live with.
• All agents in your office should use only their first initial and last name on their “For Sale”
  signs to conceal gender and prevent anyone other than a personal acquaintance or current
  client asking for you by name.

(Sources: Washington Real Estate Safety Council; Louisiana REALTORS® Association; Nevada County Association)

Visit NAR’s REALTOR® Safety Web site at www.REALTOR.org/Safety

This article is part of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®’ 2009-2010 REALTOR® Safety Resources Kit.