Avatar or not to Avatar

by 24 replies
27
Hello Everyone,

Quick question for you regarding avatars...
As you know when we participate in these forums, we build an online Identity and reputation. How important is it for you to know the face of the warrior or member you are buying from?

I know that I have been a member here for a long time, just came back recently and started posting again and for that time I never had an avatar...but recently I started thinking that if you want to build an online business you shouldn't be afraid of posting your name and photo because if I intend to provide quality, and build something legitimate, an avatar could only help...

so my question to you is this, does a profile with an avatar have any weight over those without avatars when you intend to purchase a WSO or online product....let me know your thoughts.
#main internet marketing discussion forum #avatar #avatars
  • For me

    I am more likely to buy from a face than a cartoon.,..or no face at all...

    Sean
  • Absolutely, it makes a huge difference. I've noticed that when I'm on Twitter - I automatically recognize the faces I know from here. I can probably rattle off 100 or so warriors that I recognize from photos - but the member names of those that don't - not so much.

    It took a lot for me to add my pic, as I've had a pretty bad stalking experience before, but I'm very glad that I did. I think it's important to put your face out there. If you want people to trust you, they need to develop an emotional connection. They can't do that if you don't give them something to go on.

    It's like the old ads - would you buy a car from this man? Just as in print marketing, pictures do make a difference.

    My two cents
    Cary
    • [2] replies
    • It also took me a long time to make that move - I just kept on hearing my mother 10 years ago telling me about all the crazies on the net lol.
    • Hi,

      Very interesting topic.

      No, having your picture as an avitar makes no difference to me at all. If you are offering a nice product at a good price I'll give it a chance. We had no avatars on the old forum and did just fine. Of course we had profile pictures but a lot of Warriors traditionally used other pictures other than ones of themselves. I.E. Monkys, Animated Gifs, etc.

      The very difinatin of Avatar suggests that it would be a graphic of something other than you.

      Definitions of avatar on the Web:

      A graphical representation of a person in a chat room. The word comes from Hindu mythology in which spirits come down and inhabit bodies.

      A digital representation of a user in a virtual reality site.

      In multiuser internet environments and games, an avatar is a user's own graphical representation.

      Sometimes chat rooms are designed to enable people in those rooms to have graphical representations. These are called avatars, and the chat is often referred to as an avatar-chat

      An icon that represents you on message boards, chat rooms, IM programs, 3-D chat rooms and virtual worlds. Your avatar can be whatever you want it to be. There are graphic elements, animals, cartoons and pictures used as avatars on the Internet.

      Avatars are small images that are displayed next to a username. Avatars can be changed in your profile and settings

      aspect thereof). "It derives from the Sanskrit word daveed which means "descent" and usually implies a deliberate descent into lower realms of existence for special purposes. ...

      Your virtual on-screen representation. Can range from being the main character in a story-driven game, aka Lara Croft, to a self-created virtual persona which embodies you within the gameworld, such as in World of Warcraft.

      A graphic or pictorial repesentation of a user in a 3-D chat area. Usually chosen by each user, the avatar can be an animal or caricature.

      A digital representation of yourself which interacts with other avatars, representing other people, in a virtual world.

      An avatar is computer user's representation of himself or herself, whether in the form of a three-dimensional model used in computer games, a two-dimensional icon (picture) used on Internet forums and other ...
  • If the product actually delivers I have no issues with whether or not I can actually see the deliverer.

    I see what you're saying about the trust factor though, but it's probably a subconscious thing. Many people, myself included, would be willing to overlook the lack of a portrait if the product is quality.

    Also, it's kind of silly that a picture can be used to build people's trust on the net when the seller could easily post any picture they desired to make themselves look more professional and convincing.
    • [2] replies
    • I certainly understand where you're coming from, and you all have valid points.

      If you want to be taken seriously, you should just face up and post your mug.

      To have a cartoon up as an avatar is just simply too childish in an internet marketing forum.

      I mean really... what's next? A monkey as an avatar?

      Hmmm...

      Honestly, I've successfully done business with people online for many years whom I've never laid eyes on, so an avatar isn't going to start making or breaking deals for me.

      Trust me, if I posted my pic you'd beg for the toon!

      Dennis
    • That's true, you have a valid point but on a personal level I feel good when I can see the person who I'm dealing with even if it may be a fake pic at the end of the day......I know its crazy but hey it works lol.
  • Having an avatar or not will probably become more important as the Internet continues to grow in popularity. Increasingly more people will be shopping online. And the more avatars that are used, the more they will be expected.

    As a poster stated, who's to say it's your own photo? You can use any photo as your own (provided you don't get caught by the owner of that other face). Clip art books are loaded with professional-looking photos.

    Of course, there are the face-to-face meetings. If you ever decide to attend any Warrior conferences, your secret would soon be revealed.

    I, too, was concerned about stalkers and having my face out there... but over time, I'm become much less concerned. Let's face it (no pun intended), if a stalker wants to find you, it's not difficult once they have your real name.

    Would I be more likely to buy if I see the face? Not really. Some Warriors have been around quite awhile. I've become comfortable enough with that familiarity to buy regardless of their avatar or non-avatar.

    Sylvia
    • [3] replies
    • For me it is just easier to keep track of people with an image. I forget usernames, but I remember pictures.

      Of course that breaks if you change your avatar.

      Images also allow us to increase our likability. Posting one shows an openness that not having one doesn't show.

      (As I was writing this I realized I hadn't set my avatar for the new forums :0 )
    • I guess you are right Sylvia.

      Profile images shouldn't matter if the warrior has a solid reputation of integrity and reliability but I do believe they are important - I believe that avatars whether its our faces or not kind of build your identity -

      I think for new folks coming into the biz they will probably be more prone to purchase from a face because they don't know enough about a particular marketer to go by the reputation alone.....its the mindset of who's really behind that SN or just plain curiosity - who knows but I guess across the board, the importance of profile image is dependent on who the customer is....and after taking into consideration all the responses my feel on it is that Its probably best to have a profile picture because you will appeal to those that don't care whether you have one or not and you will appeal to those who think its important to know who your purchasing from......
      • [1] reply
    • The new facial imaging "optimizing" software will soon be widely available. You'll then be able to take someone's face, optimize it, and it's no longer their face.

      Anyway, what if you use makeup, comb your hair, or arrange the lighting and pose for your picture? Is it really "you"?

      It's all symbolism.
      • [1] reply
  • Presentation is everything and I would rather buy from a salesperson who does not hide behind a screen or speak to you through a canvas of deceit. If one is true blue (Aussie expression for sincere) then what is there to hide. In this day and age isn't it the visible media we turn to the most.
    • [1] reply
    • I'm a very visual person.

      I look through my Gourmet magazine, I'm most likely to try the recipe with a mouthwatering picture. I go to the bookstore -- or Amazon -- and I'm most likely to pick up the book with good cover art.

      It's the same here. I connect with the pictures. Real pictures of real people.
      • [1] reply
  • very interesting point of views! thank you all for your input.
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