6 Ways Gravatar Helps Your Blog
Written by: I’ve been running my blog for a while now and was looking for a way to spice it up a bit and add some personality; something that would help connect us to the readers on a more personal level. Since I am not the only one who writes articles for my blog I decided to add Gravatar to each post and the main AustadPro Blog page.
What is a Gravatar? It’s a Globally Recognized avatar. And what is an Avatar? It is a version of you on the computer, an alter ego or character. It’s a graphical representation.
Gravatar.com is a free service that associates a selected image with your email address. So anytime you use that email address to sign up for a service or to leave a comment this selected image will appear on your profile or comment. This saves you from constantly uploading an image and filling out profiles. Do it once at Gravatar.com and you’re done. Here’s my Austadpro Gravatar profile.
If you don’t upload a photo to your profile, or if you don’t have a Gravatar, then you end up with an image like the anonymous man below.
That Gravatar image also links up to your gravatar.com profile allowing people to find out other information that you provide.
Now that explains why you should use a Gravatar for personal use, but what if you run a blog, how does implementing Gravatar help?
How Gravatar Helps Your Blog?
1. Avatars Attract Attention, which leads to more traffic
Everyone knows that a picture says a 1000 words. People respond to pictures. Whether it’s just a photo of someone’s face or it’s a just an interesting or humorous image that makes people intrigued, an image will always draw people’s attention.
2. Improve Brand Recognition
Use your logo for your Gravatar. The more you comment, the more your brand gets seen. Over time people will begin to recognize your logo and your brand.
3. Become Known
Want to be famous? Want to be recognized? Use a photo of yourself for your Gravatar. If you comment often people will begin to recognize you. Just make sure you choose a nice looking image. The nicer that photo the more likely people will click on it to view your profile. As we all know, sex sells.
4. You Become an Expert
Ok, so just having a Gravatar doesn’t actually make you smarter, but other people will think so. By having a professional looking Gravatar, whether a nice photo or your logo, you come off more as an expert. It shows people you stand behind this work and that they should trust you. If you’re article doesn’t have one it appears faceless and untrusting. To the reader, anyone could have written it.
5. Let it Sell Your Product
Have a product? Use a photo of it on your Gravatar to build product awareness. It provides exposure. When inquisitive people see it they may click on your profile, so be sure to promote your product with your profile. Oh, and make sure you have a professional photo.
6. Showing off Your Personality
If you’re a little less serious than throw out the logo and throw out the professional headshot. Have fun with it. Are you a big dog person? Then use your favorite dog pic. A fan of Captain America? Use his shield for your Gravatar. Look like a celebrity and want others to know? Do you have a cool photo from your last vacation? Or maybe you belong to an organization. No matter what it is, if it represents who you are it’s perfect.
