Get a Gravatar
Photo by lemort.
Have you ever visited a blog, scrolled through the comments, and wondered how people’s pictures appeared next to their names? Did you ever try to add a comment yourself and get frustrated that your comment didn’t get that picture but an enigmatic wavatar, MonsterID, or identicon instead?
It amazes me how many people add comments on sites ranging from the Harvard Business Review to Quora and on blogs powered by WordPress and Tumblr, to name just a few, but don’t have their headshots next to their names.
Curious how?
You need to create a globally recognized avatar, register an email address (required for comment systems), and upload a photograph to connect to that address.
Your gravatar will then be shown beside every comment you make on systems powered by WordPress, Disqus, and Intensedebate, and even Mailchimp newsletters.
3 benefits of a gravatar
- You will have an identity.
- You will be branded.
- You will evoke trust from the community.
Tips to a great gravatar
- Use the same picture from other online profiles. If you already use the same avatar on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter, you should replicate that photo as your default gravatar that will follow you across the web wherever you comment.
- Use a real picture or cartoon caricature of yourself. Be personal. Logos and pictures of pets or kids are not you.
- Use different photos for different email addresses if you want. You can choose to register different addresses and associate different avatars to each one.
Use a gravatar now
Sign up right here, register your address, and upload your picture.
Then… start commenting!
Please write a comment at Get a Gravatar if inspired.
When he's not blogging, Ari works with people and brands to improve their digital marketing. Got a question? Need help? Contact Ari today and sign up for his email newsletter on useful tips!
