What Does Your Avatar Say About You?

What Does Your Avatar Say about You?

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January 13, 2015

This post was updated June, 2020.

Do you follow back on twitter, based on someone’s profile pic or avatar? I admit, I do exactly that.

They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover but we almost always do. Case in point, I have had so many compliments on my book cover image and some bookstores agreed to stock it simply because they liked the cover. No lie. “What about what’s inside it?” I wanted to ask. Never mind.

The same thing goes for a person’s profile picture or gravatar. If I see a big smile on someone’s face I’m more likely to follow them. Truth. It might be shallow but a smile automatically draws us to one another. A smile can be magnetic. If you’re registered on dating sites, you know what I’m talking about.

Gravatar definition:A Globally Recognized Avatar. Your Gravatar is an image that follows you from site to site appearing beside your name when you do things like comment or join forums or social media sites.

Serious or Fun?

Those people with serious profile pics are going to have to convince me a bit more. I’m not automatically going to say “Oh this person looks genuinely fun”. Instead I’ll wonder what’s he thinking? OR What’s he selling? OR even, why do they look so smug?

The thing is, on twitter for example, it’s more fun to follow people who tweet like they talk. It’s more fun to read tweets that are about life and events and not always about a product or a promise.

Just random thoughts often are the funniest so why not have a profile pic that portrays that sense of fun?

I try to mix content promotion with my random thoughts. In the evening when I’m watching a Mary Tyler Moore rerun (I can’t believe I admitted that just now) for example, I tweet “Did Mary ever get laid?” #GoodGirlInThe70’s. Why? Because it’s exactly what I’m thinking and it’s a question I’m putting out to my twitter followers asking them if they wonder the same thing.

I mean if you ever watched MTM you’ve noticed that she goes on many dates but repels sexual advances. She was a great role model when I was 11 years old but now I’m wondering why she was such a prude. I digress.

See how a whole conversation can be started by a random thought? By the way, a male follower responded to that tweet by saying “She was on birth control.” How in the hell did he know that? I don’t recall there being a discussion between Rhoda and Mary about birth control, do you? Maybe this guy was just playing with my head.

Instagram is Not Tinder Y’all

Now, if you’re on Instagram, it’s a whole other game. I often see I have a new follower with a description; ‘University of Life’ or ‘best dad’. When they try to personal message me, I gather they’re trolling for single women. Some men pose in their fatigues. There was one man who had the scariest avatar (holding a semi-automatic) and his description was beyond creepy. What did his avatar say about him? ”I’m a potential predator.”

Well I suppose I could use this as my avatar:

A Professional Avatar

You don’t have to be a blogger to have a profile pic or avatar. If you’re on Linkedin to find jobs or to advance your career choices, you probably have a professional looking profile pic. Not to mention, dating sites…

So, what does your avatar say about you? Most of the ones I see here are smiling faces and very welcoming. Your picture makes me want to get to know you better.

Tips for a great avatar pic

-smile!

-no frowns or serious faces unless you’re selling caskets

-Not a group pic or a duo of you and your bestie out drinking (we don’t want to guess which one is YOU

-not a movie star instead of your own face

-no duck faces

-not your high school pic from the 80’s

-use the same pic on all profiles to remain easily recognizable (okay I don’t do this but I still think it’s good advice that you & I should consider)

Creating an Avatar You Like

Here’s the thing; I don’t think I’m alone in saying that we loathe pictures of ourselves. Finding the right image can be a real headache. When I was mentioned in a Provincial book newspaper (B.C. Book World) as the author of The Great Escape; A Girl’s Guide…the publisher was picky about my photo. A selfie from my iphone would not do!

He told me this after I took about a hundred, horrible selfies. I submitted the only one that I was semi-happy with. When he told me “no go” I let out a deep sigh, retrieved my real camera from the dusty shelf and made my significant other start snapping. I was self conscious at first but soon enough, I was relaxed and laughing at the photographer. The result of which this pic came out;

Can you see the confidence and sassy demeanor? The photographer brought that out in me and does on a daily basis.

Depending on my mood some days I would like to use this as my avatar;

Images source Erin Smith Art

The point is it was a learning experience in seeing myself through not only my own eyes but someone else’s eyes and the public eye. What was I telling you about me?

Better question: What do you want to tell the world with your avatar? Share your tips for presenting your best profile pic.

30 Comments

Patty
March 15, 2015 at 9:40 pm
I use my eye as my gravatar picture because I want anonymity for my blog.
- lisa
  March 16, 2015 at 8:21 am
  That’s interesting, Patty. Anonymity is certainly required for some. I’ll pop over and see what you’re subject is all about. Thanks for stopping over.
michelle
January 19, 2015 at 9:32 am
Mine is a picture of me and it’s on fire. HAHAHA. I’m sure it’s raised a few eyebrows.
- lisa
  January 19, 2015 at 11:01 am
  Love it Michelle! Yours is a great example of creativity without any weirdness. (I know you’ll argue that you’re weird but in a GOOD way!) Just cool. Glad you stopped over 🙂
Kimberly
January 19, 2015 at 8:11 am
I am a silly non-serious person so my twitter avatar of course is of me photo shopped next to my man meat Chuck Norris.
Your picture is stunning. I’d friend you 🙂
It’s is true though. We all judge by pictures. I’m guilty of it. I get particular when someone follows me on twitter. I will double check it based on their profile pic.
- lisa
  January 19, 2015 at 10:58 am
  yes, your twitter pic is so fun! Your blog avatar is so very cute as well, with your little guy 🙂 I’m guilty both in books and in avatars…the images send messages to us and we decide whether we are interested or not. It’s a tough internet world out there. LOL.
Kelly Hashway
January 19, 2015 at 6:49 am
Twitter is the only place I use a different avatar. I’m not sure why but I use book covers there. Everywhere else is the same picture of me.
- lisa
  January 19, 2015 at 8:12 am
  That’s interesting, Kelly. I love the idea of using your latest book cover for your profile pic. I used my book cover on SheWrites and was told they prefer we use pics of our faces. So, I changed it. I recognize you from other sites and so it really is beneficial to use the same pic if you’re commenting and visiting other blogs. Thanks for sharing here!
Charlotte
January 18, 2015 at 9:55 am
That boots picture… AMAZING!

And yes, this is so spot on. It’s funny–I actually have used the same gravatar photo forever, since a few years after I started my blogging career in the dating realm. But now I’m wondering if it is perhaps a bit outdated and I should update to include a more natural, less “sexy” pose… Hmm… I love yours 🙂 And your smile is incredibly infectious 🙂 XOXO
- lisa
  January 18, 2015 at 10:07 am
  I love the boots pic. It’s from the Erin Smith calendar. Her stuff is lots of fun. Your avatar is SASSY. It suits the title of your blog as in sassy PIXIE. 🙂 Thanks, Charlotte! xoxo
My Inner Chick
January 18, 2015 at 9:52 am
Lisa,
Omgosh, I’ve never thought of that. INTERESTING.
Btw, you are really gorgeous! xx
- lisa
  January 18, 2015 at 10:05 am
  Aw, thanks Kim! Your pic is cute as heck. xoxox
Jane Thrive
January 15, 2015 at 9:34 am
I Love the boots picture–i vote that for your avatar!! 🙂

And while I know real anonymity is virtually impossible–i choose the ocean to represent me for the sake of shielding my identity. at the moment, i have to have this layer of protection, for my girls’ sake and for mine. <3 <3 <3 and thank you from the bottom of my heart for friending me anyway 🙂
- lisa
  January 15, 2015 at 10:06 am
  Ha. I should start using that image! Absolutely understand why you need your anonymity, Jane. In fact, that wave is the perfect image for you. I’m so glad we’ve met!
Tamara
January 14, 2015 at 1:04 pm
This is an important topic!
I remember one of my first blogging friends saying that she didn’t like creepy or unfriendly ones and I remember being worried about mine but she liked that I was smiling in mine and holding Des.
True story – I once didn’t let someone into the Ask Away Friday Facebook group because he or she had a really revolting profile pic.
But then one of my co-hosts did allow him or her in.
- lisa
  January 14, 2015 at 3:36 pm
  Your avatar is perfect, Tamara. It really sends the message about you and your blog being about family and being a Mom. You know, I often get strange looking men liking the facebook page for my book. Some pics, the men actually look kind of scary. If I could tell guys I would say “smile in your profile pic!” It’s not that hard to do. A guy in army fatigues, arms crossed and a serious look says, ‘don’t mess with me.’not a great message to send. I get that you didn’t let someone in the group based on the pic.
Jodi Aman
January 14, 2015 at 8:49 am
LOVE the photo of you! Great job. And I love your book cover, too. I took a pic of me with a scarf a few years ago, but I have very saggy arms in it, so I never showed it to anyone! We just got to get over ourselves, don’t we?
- lisa
  January 14, 2015 at 12:03 pm
  Thanks, Jodi! I bet that picture of you was lovely. We’re too self critical. I read somewhere that if you hate a picture of yourself, keep it and look at it in 10 years. Chances are, you’ll love it and think about how young you looked. Ironic.
Jess @UsedYorkCity
January 14, 2015 at 8:19 am
Haha, the DUCK FACE avatars! So glad you mentioned that. There’s a few friends on my instagram feed, and all they post are duck faces! I secretly giggle, but you’re so right…it’s really wise to choose a persona that actually speaks to who you are and what you’re about.
- lisa
  January 14, 2015 at 12:02 pm
  Ha. When I see duck face I immediately think fashion model or ‘look at me boys!’. I know that’s probably because I’m old but I think the duck lips send the wrong message. Speaking of which, Jess your profile avatar is really creative and fun!
Chrys Fey
January 14, 2015 at 8:04 am
I don’t have a big smile on my gravatar/author photo. Oops! I thought I looked more mysterious with the small smile. lol But later this year I plan to take a new author photo and I’ll be smiling in that one. I actually like my pictures better when I’m showing teeth.
- lisa
  January 14, 2015 at 12:00 pm
  You look cute in your photo, Chrys! You’re a mystery/romance writer so yes, there should be a bit of mystery…but capitalize on that romance in your new pic! 🙂
Balroop Singh
January 13, 2015 at 4:04 pm
Hi Lisa,

Nice topic and you are adept at handling all topics so well! They say ‘the face is the index of your mind’ and I truly believe that. You can read a lot from facial expressions and smile holds the topmost position. A smile can be pleasant, forced, confused, snooty, sad, cheeky…face readers can understand your mood when you smiled for that picture.

I am very choosy and like you, I also try to judge the person by the image that is put up on social sites. Yes, a smiling face attracts like a magnet and we all try to choose a good smiling image but such an image is so difficult to find!

I couldn’t find one when I made my Avatar and so I am stuck with an image I don’t like much but I changed it later for twitter but that too I had to cut out of a group picture! Yours is Fabulous! I love it.
- lisa
  January 13, 2015 at 4:32 pm
  Thanks, Balroop! I like your pic. You look relaxed and it feels like I’m sitting across from you having a chat 🙂 I can’t believe how hard it is to get a good, smiling pic! Cropping out of a group photo works well as they are usually more animated. My Pinterest pic is exactly that but I wouldn’t use it for LinkedIn as its not as professional.
Anita
January 13, 2015 at 3:41 pm
Hi pal,

Yes, Mary did get laid! I have to admit I occasionally watch reruns too, and in the particular episode I watched (I think it was an early one) Mary was being questioned by her father after returning home in the morning after a date with some guy. She refused to answer (as it was non of her dad’s business) and although she did not go into the sorted details it was definitely implied! Love the blog!
- lisa
  January 13, 2015 at 3:52 pm
  Ahhh, Mary is a slut after all. But the one time she gets laid, she has to answer to her father? Bad timing on Mary’s part. Thanks for sharing that, Anita. Great to hear from you at my little blog. We have to lunch soon!! xoxo (I think we used to watch that show after school sometimes at your house or mine).
Brenda Lee
January 13, 2015 at 3:00 pm
Hi Lisa!

Fabulous post for sure! Sometimes I don’t use my real profile pic simply because I don’t want co-workers to recognize me across the net. But I do try to use the same pic(s) for all networks. On Twitter, I usually block eggs or simply don’t follow. I am guilty of judging the profile by the pic but will also read the profile. If it’s creepy or spammy, no follow back.

Btw, I love your picture above. Simply gorgeous doll! 🙂

B
- lisa
  January 13, 2015 at 3:15 pm
  I like your vavavoom alter ego 🙂 I get that sometimes people want to or must remain anonymous. Maybe I should have done that…:P Thanks for the compliment on the photo. It’s funny I went into a total spiral with all those terrible selfies!
tracie @ beets+birch
January 13, 2015 at 10:23 am
good post and that is a very good picture of you!
i like smiling faces just like you do and that’s what i’m drawn to.

i’m with you on the people who put me into their circles on whatever social media… yep i’m checking your picture out but i am going to also check them out too.
i do not just follow back just because they’ve followed me. i’m in it for the quality not the quantity.
i’m in it for real connections.

as far as my own avatar i hope when someone sees my picture and they read my blog they can get an idea that this is indeed what i look like.

can i add a pet peeve (pun intended)… people who use their pet’s picture.
also i have seen this many times lately… just an eyeball for a picture. it creeps me out.
- lisa
  January 13, 2015 at 11:09 am
  Thanks, Tracie <3 I always double check before following back although, I do judge the book by the cover...G+ is terrible for spam but nobody talks about it. Everyone is afraid to diss G+, it seems. A pet for a profile pic? Ya, that's evasive. I want to see your face, people! I love your profile pic, Tracie. It really captures your happiness!!