When you meet new clients, always leave your business card with them.

That way they know how to contact you, for starters.  

You should also leave your business cards everywhere else you can, including restaurants, open houses, & inside all the properties that you bring your clients to view.

That way you have more exposure to potential clients.

However, we know there are some real estate agents who are not as diligent about leaving their cards as they could be.

It's due to several reasons, which include lack of formality and sophistication, and rushed low-quality cards.

Why Do Real Estate Agents Leave Their Business Cards?

Business cards are an effective marketing tool that realtors know will increase their client base. They are easy to give away, keep track of and help people quickly get in touch with realtors. A business card is beyond just an advertising tool. Another thing it’s good for is to allow past clients to be able to keep in touch with them using their contact info from the card. It can also help them follow up with other agents who have shown one of their listings to a client. For instance, if another agent has shown one of their listings to a client, that agent will usually leave their business card on the kitchen counter or somewhere similar. Then the listing agent will have an easy way to contact the other agent.

Here are some reasons real estate agents leave their business cards with potential clients along with some tips on designing your card and what should be included in it:

Rushed Low-Quality Cards

Sometimes new agents are eager to get started & therefore they can rush the process of designing & printing their business cards.

Having a low-quality real estate agent business card can be embarrassing, among other issues.

Many are cluttered, have too many details in a row, and may even have major spelling & grammatical errors.

These would make a real estate agent look unprofessional, and many people might even refuse to take them seriously.

There are ways to avoid being in this situation.

The first step is to take your time when designing or having your business card designed and always carefully proofread your real estate agent business card before having it printed.

While this seems like a simple task.

When it comes to this aspect of their business a lot of new agents miss the boat.

Now, while you can easily find online sources in order to design your business card, it's a good idea to choose one that uses skillful printing services too.

So, it will have a professional look when the process is complete.

Also, choose one that offers design customization, various cardstock options, and pristine print quality.

Another important factor in making a high-quality real estate agent business card is the design.

It should be attractive, eye-catching, & most importantly relay exactly what services you provide.

Many people would rather deal with an agent that has an attractive and unique business card than with a cheap-looking one that can appear as if they don’t care.

Furthermore, you can choose a foil-finished business card to make the design stand out.

Foil-finished cards can even be semi-transparent, making them more likely to capture clients' attention.

A high-quality business card has a unique design and is created to attract clients.

Its layout should be designed to promote your brand and your business, as well as to let people know what you do.

The design could be just text, or it can include your logo & a memorable slogan.

Regardless of the design, real estate agent business cards should explain exactly what services the agent offers.

So that it draws people's attention and separates them from the rest of the pack.

Lack of Formality

Home buyers often notice the lack of formality when real estate agents do not leave business cards with them.

Also, your real estate agent business card is an excellent way for your potential clients to keep in touch with you.

Most home buyers will expect the agents they've met with to leave their business cards.

Which, you should always be prepared to do.

This way, you can start to build a relationship and hopefully earn a client.

Lack of Sophistication

Real estate agents shouldn't show a lack of sophistication by using low-quality business cards.

They should use high-end paper, incorporate personal branding, include their brokerage logo, and definitely explain why the potential client should use them.

They should also avoid overly cheesy designs and images.

Another mistake I think a lot of people make when creating their business cards is putting a big picture of themselves on them.

I don’t believe people think how someone looks is an important factor when it comes to business.

I mean, don’t get me wrong, you need to keep yourself tidy and with a business-like appearance.

But what I’m saying is the space on the card where people put their huge photos could be better used.

Your business card is like a mini-billboard.

But because of the mini, that means you have limited space.

Why fill it up with your gigantic headshot that takes up half the card, when you can be using that area to share compelling information with them that might distinguish you from a competitor?

Paying attention to how your business card looks and reads before choosing a design is important.

A realtor's business card is a reflection of their brand.

The agency's and agent's names are important to establish a professional relationship with prospective clients.

If an agent cannot present these elements, potential clients may not trust them.

Hence, it's important to have a high-quality business card.

A lack of sophistication on a business card could be detrimental to a realtor's business.

You Can Add Social Media Details

With the growth of the internet and the availability of many different social media accounts, business cards should contain the most pertinent information.

While listing a name, website, and phone number was once enough; social media links are essential components of today's marketing world.

Social media links on your real estate agent business card show a progressive marketing approach and provide additional ways for clients to contact you.

K.I.S.S

When it comes to real estate business cards or any business card for the matter, you should remember the acronym K.I.S.S (“keep it simple, stupid” or what I like even better “keep it short and simple).

Real estate business cards should be simple and clean.

They should have your name, contact details, and what you offer.

Choosing a design that's easy to read is essential.

You can use a two-toned material to create a luxurious look and feel if you don’t want to keep it too basic.

Just don’t get carried away by using too many colors or elements and therefore make it distracting.

Choosing the right type of paper can also make a big difference.

A thick, matte card will make it last longer, while a lightweight card is easier to carry.

In this area, you need to decide which one you think is best for your potential clients & your pocketbook at the same time.

I personally use the thicker more rugged one with the glossy protective finish.

However, for agents with limited budgets, a lightweight card can save you money.

So, whether you choose a minimalist or a bolder design, business cards can make a great impression.

Virtual Business Cards

Nowadays, real estate agents can use “Virtual Business Cards” along with the old-school ones.

You can actually create them in concert with a traditional business card.

Where the physical card has a QR code on it, connecting to the virtual business card.

However, you could also use a virtual business card by itself if you wanted to.

What you would do is just keep it in photos on your phone and then pull up the photo of your virtual business card and have other people use their phones to read the QR code that way.

So, if you do decide to create a virtual business card, Canva is one of the resources that people use to create one for free.

In Conclusion

There are several reasons you as a real estate agent should leave your business card. Name recognition & business branding is one, which can help generate leads. Business cards should also include your contact information, including your telephone number, email address, web address, any links to social media accounts, and your office address. Also, what I think is the most important thing to do is to use the back of the card to let potential clients know what you do & how you differ from your competition. Another advantage of real estate business cards is their small size. They are easily carried in a pocket or wallet and are a great way to reach potential clients. They can also be left at open house events, exhibitions, coffee shops, and supermarkets. So, a potential client may pick up a card you left, and they can contact you directly. Now, this type of exposure is essential for you as a realtor because the more people you reach, the more likely you will find new clients.