Give Your Online Image a Boost

Ever wonder why when some people comment on blog posts or in forums, their photo appears alongside their comment? It’s because the have a Gravatar—a Globally Recognized Avatar.

We employ Gravatars here on the Florida Writers Association website, both for commenters and for blog post authors.  Many website commenting systems do, including WordPress which accounts for more than 37.6 million websites worldwide.

Using the same profile photo across all social media platforms and for commenting on blogs is an easy way to give your online image a boost. Consider using the same photo you use on your book covers and for your author website to increase your recognition. Your photo is like a logo, more memorable than your name. (Oh, I recognize you. I have seen you on Twitter and commenting in writers forums.) And I suggest to you that people want to interact with—and buy books from—other people. On social media, use a photo that shows your face—not your book cover or a cat photo.

Making relevant and useful comments on blog posts is an easy way to become known as a helpful and knowledgable person, someone we want to know. Another easy way to boost your online image.

Don’t be invisible or generic. Let people see you. Sign up for your Gravatar here. It will only take you a few minutes. Then, when you sign in to comment on a blog post—here and elsewhere—use the same email address you used when you signed up for the Gravatar, and your photo will appear.

Sign up, then test it out with a comment below. We’d love to see you!