5-Minutes to More Page Views: Is Your Avatar Doing Its Job?

So you want to get more page views on your AC articles. Could it be that your avatar choice sends your visitors elsewhere?

What is an avatar? Most commonly it is a visual representation of oneself on the Internet, whether it's a photo, a cartoon, or other real or inanimate object. In a word it is a picture, a small one, that is used to identify oneself to others in the digital world.

People are visual creatures, and it is easier to remember a face, or in this case an avatar, than a name. On AC alone, many individuals share similar pen names or names that are difficult to spell or remember. Yet most AC content producers are using similar avatars.

Some brave souls, vain or otherwise, elect to use a personal photo as an avatar. This is a professional way to identify oneself to the world. Photo avatars are popular practice on sites such as About.com and various other professional blogs. Personal photo avatars are not only more memorable, they make one appear more accessible to their audience.

Many content producers, AC or otherwise, elect not to use a personal photo as an avatar. The primary reason concerns privacy, but is also due to a lack of knowledge on its importance.

Alternatives exist for these concerns; whereas a factious representation works if it is unique and meaningful. As far as obtaining or creating an avatar, it is easy, and for many the process is bit fun, too.

AC happens to provide 25 avatars on sign-up, including a baby in a diaper, a cat, and a fire hydrant, each with an AC sticker strategically placed. No offense AC, but unless one is writing about baby care, cats or fire fighting, these avatars may be a bit off base. AC avatars are small so even the sticker doesn't show up well.

Of course, AC had to pick something, and these avatars are sufficient when just getting started, and when AC had far fewer content producers. Now we are part of a huge and growing community, yet few avatars stand out.

If you are serious about page views, however, consider some personalization. The following scenario is a common example of when your avatar doesn't work.

Say Benny Doe largely writes about technology and Lenny Roe writes about movie reviews. Both are saved as favorite AC producers and both use the football AC helmet as their avatar. Twenty other of your favorites also employ this avatar.

Additionally, you have 200 favorites. Most of whose names you can't remember, yet, and you want to check out the latest movie review. Do you wade through all the football avatars, to find the right one? Or do you decide to take the easy route and conduct an AC search for the movie?

So you click on one of the top AC search results, and find what you are looking for, but it is not Lenny on the top listing. It is Roger Norwich (is that with a'd' or without?) and he has a movie reel for his avatar. You decide to add him to your AC content producer favorites and even though you forget how to spell his name, you will click on the movie reel avatar next time when seeking movie reviews.

Other scenarios exist, but as you can see a unique avatar has its advantages. Avatars are both memorable and work better than names for new visitors. Blogging and social-networks are so popular because of the human element, and attraction to personalities and styles. Just as you have a particular writing style that works in the same fashion, ensure that your avatar compliments your image.

When selecting or creating an avatar for professional use, consider the following questions and tips:

-- What kind of image do you want to portray? (professional, artistic, comic, friendly, academic, domestic, youthful etc.,)

--Sexy, very casual, or mysterious photos can work, this is the Internet after all, but use these avatars cautiously for professional use. Like wrong first impressions, they can hurt your credibility.

-- Inanimate objects work best if you specialize in a topic category, like the movie reel example. Or if they really stand out as unique and interesting. A cook might get away with a picture of an artichoke, otherwise it says little else to the world then one's food preference.

--Cartoon avatars can work well as they exude the personality you select. Then again, if you write about calculus or world history first-time viewers may be cautious of your aptitude.

-- Religious or political avatars, these are passions that, like most anything else, will impact readers for better or worse. If you write little religious or political material, consider if the avatar is hurting your page views. It is the first impression equivalent of going up to someone new and saying, "Hi I'm Donna and I am a Catholic." The alternative is to show what you believe in by your writing (dialog) and use an avatar that promotes you well.

Are you surprised that an avatar is such serious business? It makes sense. The avatar is what people see first and make a judgement. While you cannot please everyone, nor should you try, the important thing is that your avatar gives the message about you that you want it to say. Hobby writing and professional blogging require different approaches in manner, generally.

If you still doubt the impact of a photo, think of pre-internet Dear Abby. Would America have fallen in love with her black and white words alone, however good, or did readers connect to her image as well? She had the equivalent of an avatar next to each column, and it worked.

Online Avatar Tools

ShrinkPictures.com will turn a photo into an avatar for free. Note that the full photo is utilized, so for small avatars, such as on AC, it's best to have a head shot or close-up.

Yahoo Create an Avatar: Avatars in cartoon form with numerous selections for customizing the persona, background, hobbies, and interests.