Personal Branding
Last night, when I came across a discussion on BlogCatalog titled “Your profile picture is an advertisement,” I couldn’t help but to read what others were saying.
The guy who started the discussion linked to his own blog post where he discusses what should be used as avatars on your social networking site. His own avatar being a provocative, poorly dressed, girl attempting to be woman.
If one of the ways you’re branding yourself is by your avatar pictures, this would not be the kind of thing that I would suggest using. Especially if you want to be taken as a serious blogger, writer, or someone with some knowledge.
Sorry, but even though he mentions in his blog post “sex sells.” For some people, it’s a turn off and straight up gross when you’re attempting to act as a professional or someone who actually knows something worth listening to.
While the post may have some good posts, in reality, I really couldn’t take the time to read it past the old guy flipping off a computer and the woman/school girl “sex sells” avatar.
Really, let’s talk professional.
Avatars go directly to branding yourself. How you would like to be viewed on the web? Sorry but I really don’t believe you’re going to find too many big name bloggers using avatars that aren’t directly related to their own personal branding.
Being someone who’s interested in being taken seriously and working towards having a career in writing, I only have one way I’d like to brand myself.
As myself.
Yes, regardless of how cute or ugly you may think I am, one day I want my face to be recognizable to you as being someone you once read in a blog somewhere. Maybe you’ve read my stuff more than once or maybe you actually think that I know something half the time.
Regardless, my brand is my face as well as my blog design. And it all goes hand in hand. It doesn’t matter how much it may or may not work for others, you’re not going to see me attempt to brand myself in any matter that can be classified as “sex sells.”
Reality is I have more couth than that.
Do you?
Technorati Tags: Branding, Personal Branding, Blogger, Writer, BlogCatalog, Avatars, Sex Sells
January 5th, 2008 at 11:51 am
You make me proud of my chubby cheeks, XD :)
I had my picture on my blog, but took it down until I could find or create a better one. I like having my picture up, and seeing others. I like “knowing” who’s writing I’m reading :)
Sex sells, yes, but gah, I don’t want to see some gaudy, sexed-up picture is not something I want to see, unless the blog itself is about sex.
January 6th, 2008 at 4:42 am
[...] my blog. Katy made some useful and informative posts about blogging. Her latest is all about Personal Branding, which is a feedback on one of the discussion threads at BlogCatalog. Check out what she has to [...]
January 6th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Really, let’s talk professional.
January 6th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
sexed-up picture is not something I want to see, unless the blog itself is about sex.
January 8th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Your chubby cheeks have nothing on mine. :o)
Put your picture back up and be proud to show your face… people will remember you if you give them a reason to. Make sure that they’re remembering you by your face and not some silly something that doesn’t exactly represent who you are.
January 9th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
“personal branding” - Good article. Congrats.
January 14th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
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January 17th, 2008 at 10:56 am
[...] said this many times. Having another blog spotlight you will help you with your own personal branding techniques. This will also increase your visibility and credibility on the [...]
February 26th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
I agree completely! Avatars say a lot about a person!
Thanks for your input!
Keep posting and I’ll keep coming back!
February 27th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Jason » It’s nice to hear that I’m not alone in my ideas of personal branding. Being a very key player to how people perceive a person, it’s taken way too lightly.
April 2nd, 2008 at 7:52 am
[...] I’ve mentioned personal branding and talked about how you would want someone to see you through your avatar or online [...]