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Jackie Colson-Miller

Jackie Colson-Miller, CIPS
Certified International Property Specialist
NAR Liaison to Austria
Tampa Real Estate
Direct - (813)629-5757
Homeward Real Estate
3401 Henderson Blvd
Tampa, FL 33609
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Would You Put Your Face on a Bus Bench???

Eight years ago, this month, I attended a South Tampa Chamber of Commerce luncheon. It was the same year I started putting my photo on my business card. As an aside, I HATE to have my picture taken, but I understand how important it is for marketing. At the event, I exchanged cards with a number of people, including one who said, I think you should put your face on a bench. . WHAT???? , I said. He went on to explain that he sold bus bench advertising and, though it hadnt hit our market yet, it was all the rage in other parts of the country for real estate agents.

I explained to the nice guy, That is the tackiest thing I have ever heard in my lifethis is South Tampa we just dont do things like put signs on our cars, or wear goofy name tags all day , so imagine what people would say about my face on a bench . He said, You already are well-known and have a great reputation in the industry, so YOU should be the first face on a bench . I thought he was crazy! BUT, that month, I had gotten divorced and sold a zillion I was feeling like I was on top of the world. So, I told him I would take 2 benches. I put one on the most heavily traveled street in South Tampaat a stop light, near Plant High School. And, I put the other at the end of my ex-husbands street! Just because I have a great sense of humor, and he doesnt!

The response was incredible! Immediately, people started recognizing me in public as the girl on the bench . And, there were plenty of jokes, as you can imagine. I rolled with the punches and racked up Benchthe kind of brand recognition that Proctor and Gamble would die for! Eight years, and three bench designs later, it now looks just like my blog, with the same colors and film strip. The name and face recognition from that bench on the busy corner is immeasurable. Other real estate agents have offered the bench company triple the monthly rate to steal my spot on that corner! NO , they say, Jackie has the spot for life! absolutely!

I gave up the second bench years ago. I kept moving it from one spot to the next, giving the appearance that I had benches all over town . That second bench was always the one where I played with the location. Several years ago, I called off a wedding, three weeks before the wedding day. I moved that bench to the end of the ex-fiances street! I never laughed so hard in my life. The first time he turned the corner and saw my face, he laughed pretty hard, as well.

So, on June 8, of every year, I celebrate the anniversary of my divorce, and the anniversary of MY BENCH. I have had great business from it, great name recognition and LOADS of fun. I am thankful to have a career that is challenging, satisfying and FUN buy yourself a Bus Bench and add some humor to your life!

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This entry was posted on Friday, June 8th, 2007 at 5:08 am and is filed under Fun and Frolic, Project Blogger, South Tampa. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

10 Responses to “Would You Put Your Face on a Bus Bench???”

  1. Nora Bernhardt says:
    June 8, 2007 at 7:19 am

    Jackie,

    I love the timing and placement.

    Nora

  2. Jennifer Steck says:
    June 8, 2007 at 8:07 am

    Jackie,

    I’ve considered it, but wasn’t sure what the impact would be. It sounds like it has been worth it. I love your sense of humor. Now…I’ll just have to get that great picture done.

  3. Jeff Long says:
    June 8, 2007 at 9:52 am

    I researched the “Bench” vs the “Billboard”, both are fairly competitive in cost, and I opted for the billboard. I was afraid that grafitti would turn me into Captain Morgan, or that a person sitting on the bench would/could block my view.

    With the billboard, at least it was high enough to be seen by everyone, not just the one or two cars parked infront of the bench.

    Ironically, just after putting up the billboard, the property owner installed a carport, which now makes for a limited view of the billboard.

    Can’t win. Thanks, Jeff

  4. Fifika says:
    June 8, 2007 at 10:43 am

    I love your zest for life and GREAT sence of Humor; especially putting your beautiful face near your EX’s home.
    Fifika

  5. Edward says:
    June 8, 2007 at 11:11 am

    Hi Jackie -

    It may have bothered your “ex” to see the bench, but it probably increased the value of the property in the neighborhood. How much would it cost us to have your photo on a bus bench in my neighborood?

    Edward

  6. Jackie Colson-Miller says:
    June 8, 2007 at 11:15 am

    Edward…In this business, everything is negotiable! Yesterday, one of my readers told me I should get into politics…your neighborhood would be a great place for my face on a bench!

  7. Michelle DeRepentigny says:
    June 8, 2007 at 3:31 pm

    LOL, you have now convinced me that you are real. I’ve love some of your post in the past but this is great and now I know you have a sense of humor!

  8. Mary Ann O'Keeffe says:
    June 11, 2007 at 10:29 am

    As a new agent I am looking for an interesting way to advertise. Thanks for the info. Love the placement as well. Enjoy your successful business. Mary Ann

  9. Property Photography says:
    May 11, 2008 at 7:27 am

    Hi jackie

    Your story made me laugh loud today. That second bench “moving home” so apt for your industry. I’m in the UK and we often seem to get trends from the US filtering over here but I have yet to see a bus bench ad. Being a property photographer perhaps I could use one although at 41 and having led a colourful life my second bench would need to move home so often it might bankrupt me

    Great story and great idea. One question though. How do they stop the ads being defaced.

    Had I been your ex I might have been tempted to give you a mustache and a few spots : )

    Anyway wishing you many more years of bench success

    Kind regards

    Darron

  10. Miami Divorce says:
    December 24, 2008 at 12:10 pm

    What a good idea – I too love the idea of having your “bench” near your ex. Must drive him nuts!

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