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Newbies & Rainmakers Alike: Ditch The Gray Avatar!

My friend Mike Jones shared his thoughts on why YOU need a photo on your blog. And he is right on target with his observations.

Do you like dealing with faceless entities ... relying only on their written message? Would you do business with the 'man behind the curtain' (remember the Great Oz?) having no idea of what they look like, how they present, what's in their eyes? I wouldn't - and don't. I like to see who I'm dealing with!

Take a read. Then take heed! Get that photo uploaded and become visible! It will only help your business!

Via Mike Jones (SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC):

My camera and I were up on Mount Lemmon in the Catalinas, where summer heat is far below (5,000 feet below) on the desert floor. I wouldn't have seen this little lizard had he not moved. His coloration blended so well with the mottled gray granite boulder that he was nearly invisible.

Then he turned around. I guess you can say he put his best face forward. His chin went up. "Look at me," he seemed to say.

The little lizard put the exclamation point on a lesson I learned long ago as a teenager selling Fuller Brushes from door to door:

The only reason people don't do business with you is because they don't know who you are.

Unless the blog reader is a relative of yours, he or she isn't likely to do business with you if they can't see your face.

Put your best face forward. Get someone to take a digital photo of you, upload it to your computer, and get it up on Active Rain!

You'll be surprised at how your blogging relationships will turn around!

___________________

I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, AZ Mortgage lender.

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE
Call me if I can help you or someone you know with a purchase or refi mortgage.
(520) 349-9090

photo copyright Mike in Tucson

Concept Builders, Inc.

Carol Smith, Sales Associate

Shamrock Valley

1913 Guinness Drive

Graham, NC 27253

Office: 336-228-7975

Cell: 919-418-6549

csmith@conceptbuilders.net

Posted by Carol Smith on 08/30/2009 09:58 AM

Comments (11)

Originally posted at: Full Disclosure: Newbies & Rainmakers Alike: Ditch The Gray Avatar!

11 Comments on Newbies & Rainmakers Alike: Ditch The Gray Avatar!

AUG

I am with you 100 percent. I am asking myself what does this person have to hide. That is my first and last thought about a person because I am not going to do business with them

Carol, I know you're right about this one...so is Mike. People want to see what you look like and know you're a real person! I'm not sure why some people won't post it but I hope they read this message and re-think their decision. And I hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

Carol - I am far less likely to pay attention to someone online if they are using the default avatar on ANY site.

Carol I can't agree with you more. If your going to put yourself out there then Put Yourself Out There! It is just like those MLS listings with no photos - yeah I really want to take my buyers there. This past weekend I went out with buyers who came into town for the weekend, and I had been communicating via email. When I went out to the reception area she commented that "I looked just like my photo". That also amazes me - how many people don't use an updated photo!

As a Realtor, I want people to recognize me, know who I am and what I do. My face is part of my logo. Meaning, we want them to recognize our company logo, why not our face. Thanks for the lizard photo.

Carol - I take those without photos less seriously, assuming they've done the same.

Carol, I have never understood an avatar in a business that is a people business and all about developing personal relationships.

Carol, it's always nice to put a face with a blog. Kind of makes it more personal.

Carol --- this is soooooooo funny --- just today, my daughter presented me with a new avatar that she had designed for me. I do like it, but I also agree with you guys that seeing the face is important. I guess I will need to use this one for awhile so as not to offend my daughter.

Mama Liz's Signature

Thank you all for your input! I know that if you are in the "people business" that it is so very important for the public to be able to recognize you and feel comfortable approaching you. If all you can present is a gray square ... well that's just not very reassuring, IMO.

Thanks for all your wonderful comments!