DISQUS

Gerald Weber SEO Tips Blog · 1 year ago

This definitely is an interesting topic. I just recently got my gravatar myself. I think it absolutely does add a more human touch and help put a face with the article. I am in favor of the actual picture because it's more like you putting a face to the author rather than come other icon. I know some people worry about the risk of being stalked or whatever. I don't really find that a big concern but then again I'm a guy so maybe it's different for ladies.

Mike Witt · 1 year ago

Excellent post and topic. Some might depend on a person's overall marketing plan and strategy, but in my opinion branding is key and to do that people need to know who you are. A real picture is a great way to connect with your readers and followers, showing them that there is a real person behind the words.

There may be a little risk, but so far, in my experience, it's mostly email spam, although I did see a few footprints in the snow outside my house this morning that I didn't recognize, oops, those were mine :-)

Great post, hopefully people can see the value in showing who they are and providing a better connection with their customers.

Mike Witt
www.WorkFromHomeSmart.com

vicki · 1 year ago

Thanks! I enjoyed reading this

Erwin Tan · 1 year ago

I still remember the days which I upload some pretty model's pic and boy.. that really brought me lots of traffic..

Not sure if it's right to call that "targeted" traffic? haha

Diana Freedman · 1 year ago

So you're one of those reason to be wary! Ha. But that is interesting that it noticeably brought you a lot of traffic.

Stanley! · 1 year ago

What if you split the difference between anonymity and human interaction, using a human face that's not your own? Nothing too deceptive (Erwin, it sounds like you were getting attention for all the wrong reasons), just a generic looking person of the same gender as yourself.

Diana Freedman · 1 year ago

Interesting idea. The main reasons I wouldn't do this:
1. Someone can find a real picture of you online, especially if your blog becomes really popular and people get curious about you.
2. Someone coincidentally knows the person whose face you're using, and knows that you're not that person.

Losing your readers' trust can mean losing those readers altogether. I don't frown upon people that do it, I just think it might eventually have negative repercussions. I'd rather use a graphic icon, cartoon character, movie character in costume that's obviously not you, etc. than try to pass someone else as me.

Intrepid · 1 year ago

Nice observations. I enjoyed reading this article. I guess I'm guilty of doing two out of the three... Using an Avatar and using an image.

Atif · 1 year ago

That was a very interesting post. I added my picture as my avatar last week.

Mike Collins · 1 year ago

I think using pics of attractive people does help in getting attention, but its probably not the attention you're looking for. I don't know if I can find it but I remember awhile back reading a blog post where someone ran a test with his ebay auctions. On some of them he used an image of a sexy woman in a bikini and in others he simply used an image of the digital product he was selling. The bikini auctions got many, many more views but almost no sales. The simple image of the product didn't get anywhere near the same number of views but made more sales.

Wakish · 1 year ago

I think if you have choosed to 'work' on the net and if you think blogging is your choice, then you should be firm. We have big examples from high profile bloggers like Darren Rowse, Shoemoney, Spencers or John Chow. They all blog with their real names and are working at their best.

As in any fields, there are always ups and downs, lovers and haters, I will say that you should just do what you want to do convincingly and forget those who want to stop you. Just focuss on your aim, on the positive sides and on people who love you.

Yours,
- Wakish -

<abbr>Wakish’s last blog post..Don’t Snatch Your Own Success Talented Friends / If You Haven’t Got Time To Do It Right, You Don’t Have Time To Do it Wrong Either!</abbr>

SBA · 1 year ago

I use a spider image that's part of my web design business logo. I've thought about using a real photo, but I don't like any of them --- much better looking in person (lol) Also I think the image is distinctive/recognizable on social media networks. But a real photo might be appreciated on my blog's About page for the reasons in your post.

<abbr>SBA’s last blog post..Does Your Blog Need More Luv From Readers?</abbr>

Shanker Bakshi · 1 year ago

I spread myself throughout the blogsphere and in all social media sites with the avatar you see here with comments. whatever you decide but one should make sure that it should be adopted for all your profiles. that will give you a face associated with your persona.

<abbr>Shanker Bakshi’s last blog post..Google is Dead Here is Another Unexploited Goldmine</abbr>

drivelocity · 1 year ago

Here's another way you could think about it - What would you do if you were asked to do a TV interview or have a feature article in magazine and they wanted a picture of you. Would you turn that down? If not, then what's the harm in a photo avatar?

<abbr>drivelocity’s last blog post..Handcrafted Wooden USB Drives</abbr>

Cheap Mobile Calls · 1 year ago

I think people do relate to avatars online, but for them to bring traffic? I'm not too sure. Like Erwin said above, uploading a model's picture got him traffic, but probably not the right kind of traffic. I think offering great content is what pulls the people in, not your face.

Make Money Online · 10 months ago

I still think its a value..!

<abbr>Make Money Online’s last blog post..Top 10 Facebook Games Of The Year</abbr>