The picture below is a screen shot of multiple comments that were left on a blog post that was promoting a happy hour gathering at a social media conference that happened earlier this year.

Quick, take a look at the image and tell me at first glance which of the people commenting:

1. Did you look at first?
2. Do you think is the most professional?
3. Do you think is the most technically proficient?
4. Seems the most like a real person?
5. Are you most drawn to?

I’m willing to bet that the people who have images next to their comment (me, CWaterhouse, and Colleen Truax) were the answers you gave.  If I ask you which people appear to be the least professional and least technically proficient, which would you answer?  The one’s without a photo?  Probably so.  Which camp would you rather be in?

In an earlier post, I explained what an Avatar is (your visual image of yourself online – usually your photo), and how it is an essential consideration of the brand image for any modern Realtor.  This post expands upon that and introduce you to Gravatar.com, a service that will make including your avatar in your blog comments, simple and easy.  Here is a brief video which clearly explains the service:

As the video mentions, once you sign up for a gravatar account, you can associate ALL the email addresses that you have with your account (your brokerage email, your gmail account, your home account, your college alumni account, etc).  And, then when you go to comment on a blog or forum, no matter what email address you use, your photo is automatically included when you make a comment (assuming the site supports gravatars…which many blogs and forums do).

A gravatar is a great way for a Realtor who participates in blog commenting to be positioned with a professional, consistent brand image across many sites.  It also centralizes and automates the posting of your photo when you comment on the web.  By using a gravatar, you are more effectively branding yourself with the image you choose and you are more likely to be perceived as more professional and technically proficient.  So why not continue the brand image you have created off-line to on-line and sign up with Gravatar.com?

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Build your online brand with your avatar?  Your what?  Wondering what an avatar even is?  Here is a hint:

Avatar is a fancy word for the small image used to depict your online presence or identity.  It is a very important part of any Realtor’s online presence and branding.  When you create a profile on a social media website, they often ask you to upload a photo of yourself.  This photo is your avatar – most Realtors would think of it as their headshot.  But should your avatar be your headshot?  Maybe, but maybe not.

Here are some things to consider when choosing your avatar:

• Your avatar sets the tone for who you are.  What do you want it to say?  It should be a reflection of you.  It is the first visual that people generally see of you.  Put some thought behind it.  Keep in mind that it does play a part in defining your personal brand online.  What do you want your personal brand to say?
• Keep in mind that the digital world is generally more casual than the print world in marketing yourself.  I suggest portraying a professional, yet approachable image of yourself.  It does not need to be of you in business formal attire (of course, it can be).
• The image will most often be presented very small, and cropped to a square.  Very frequently the image will be only a ½ inch square.  It will often appear as part of a list like this example from Facebook.

• Your avatar should be close up to your face.  Because of the small size that most Avatar’s are presented, it is generally best to have the photo be cropped tight.
• It is ok to get creative!  Your avatar doesn’t have to be your face (but most Realtors will likely choose this option).  Also, think about getting creative with your cropping.  You’d be surprised how well you can communicate you with just part of your face.  For some additional options check out this Guide To Using Avatars for Online Marketing by Justin Smith of the Real Estate Tomato.

Take a look at the sample avatars at the beginning of this post and a few more below.  These are all appropriate guides for Realtors who want to brand themselves online and participate in the social media game.  Give your avatar some thought – make sure your photo fits the medium, communicates what you want it to say, and is a reflection of you.  It will be good for your brand and your business!

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