If you’re a serious about social networking not just trying to get the feel and taste of it then you need to start branding yourself. The idea of social networking branding came when I read an article wrote by Tim Nash on this topic.
The choice or selection what picture to use as an avatar more lean toward self preference, some will choose their company logo and other feel comfortable to use their own pictures. I personally more prefer use my own personal picture as an avatar then my logo because on two reason.
Level of trust toward a pseudo name and picture
It’s already confusing using a pseudo name but adding a pseudo picture is another thing. Make matter worse some prefer to use different gender avatar for their own gender. One thing came into my mine when I see this kind of people, I’ll read their profile description properly and go through their stumble.
This is very bad branding, why can you just be yourself. People react and evaluate based on image and visual clues. Trust build based on this two.
Level of trust based on pseudo name but authentic profile
I have a lot of friend fall on this category. One thing noticeble with my friend who use this method was they use it every where at every social network even at their own blog.
This is a corporate branding (e.g. SBANow use this techniques to promote her blog, the spider image is part of her blog logo) . You plan to use this method, my suggestion, use it consistently.
What if someone stole my avatar
Well it means you already famous and you should glad someone steal it. But honestly, trust like Tim said was based on respect. Respect as a result of dependable and consistency similar to own principal and value. If all the way we expect a person will sent a good collection or articles then any change in behavior will be noticeable. I for one just been informed how I had more then once sent an article to a friend. I know she is made and angry, the best move I applogise.
Will this solve many problem?
Well, no. I still don’t know if Tamal is actually Tamal, and Monica Black is Monica Black, when I am at other sites. So sometimes, it’s worth to check if you avatar had been stolen. Nowaday not just a domain name or username can be hijackes, even an avatar image also does get the same treatment.
What can you do next?
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Nicely put! There are so many different opinions on this, one could get dizzy switching back and forth. I noticed someone on SU had changed his photo from a closeup face to person sitting on a couch — I immediately asked him why and he said it was a bet that he had lost! Other folks have advised and coaxed me to use my photo instead of the beloved spider. But who is to know if I use my photo or one of my cousin? I like the idea of some mystery behind the blog owner (age, gender, race, photogenic or camera breaker… ) — we should recognize them by their blogging, let the human side come out there. Some real photos (even my own) are enough to scare me away.. lol.
SBA´s last blog post..Why Google Friends Don’t Connect
@SBA: Thank you SBA. Social Networking site lately become very popular not just a place for people to hang-out but also to share. For you and me, our blog can represent us. But for those who don’t have, we can only rely on information as they represented.
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