It’s no secret that social media marketing has shifted in recent years. What used to be a platform focused on sharing personal photos and experiences with friends have become a powerful tool for businesses to reach new audiences and promote their products.
But as the landscape changes, so do the strategy. And one of the most notable changes is the rise of “personal branding” – using your own image and personal story to connect with customers on a deeper level. But not everyone is comfortable with this level of transparency. Do you agree? Yes? No? Yes? So in this blog post today, let me explore the pros and cons of using your face in your online marketing, and how to decide if it’s right for you and your business.
The debate of whether or not to have a photo on your business website
The real photo of you will personalise your site and help your audience feel more connected to your business. On the other hand, you may choose not to have your photo because you feel it takes away from the professionalism of the site.
The Benefits of Showing Your Face Online
By putting a face to your name, you will instantly build trust with potential buyers when it comes to online business. People are far more likely to do business with someone they can see and connect with on a personal level, isn’t that right?
In addition to building trust, proving your online presence can also help you to stand out from the crowd. It doesn’t matter how you look. When people know that they are doing business with a real person with nothing to hide, they are far more likely to form a lasting relationship. This is valuable not only for repeat business but also for referrals and word-of-mouth marketing.
The Risks of Showing Your Face Online
Having said that, you may be exposing yourself to a number of risks. Identity theft to start with - unless you have become fairly well-known via social media, they can easily create a false identity using your name and personal information. This can lead to financial fraud and other crimes.
In addition, you may also be targeted by scammers and cybercriminals. They may use your image to create fake profiles on social media or dating sites in order to lure unsuspecting victims. Once they have built up a rapport with their victim, they may then ask for money or sensitive personal information.
Also, showing your face online can also put you at risk of being harassed or stalked by online predators. They may use your image to threaten or intimidate you, or even try to track you down in real life. If you are concerned about any of these risks, it is important to take steps to protect yourself when using the internet.
Whether or Not to Reveal Your Face Online
You may worry about privacy issues or simply feel more comfortable remaining anonymous. But it’s all about what you’re comfortable with.
But if you do decide to show your face online, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure that you are using a high-quality headshot. This will help you look professional and trustworthy. Secondly, be aware of the types of things you post online - remember that everything is public and permanent!
Be confident in who you are and what you have to offer.
Remember that everyone is different and that your unique perspective is what makes you special.
Don't be afraid - the audience is looking for trustworthiness in you and what you have to say. Not the way you look!
If you're still not comfortable, there are other ways to connect with your audience online (e.g., through audio or video avatar).
Whatever you do, be genuine and authentic in your interactions with others online.
Learning SEO Is Not Hard!
Build a website for free, learn everything about driving organic traffic and make your affiliate marketing business successful!
Online Abuse Issues
No one deserves to be a victim of online abuse. Unfortunately, this form of harassment targeting business owners online has become all too common. Whether it’s in the form of cyberbullying, doxxing, or simply trolling, online abuse can take a toll on your mental and emotional health. If you’re struggling to deal with online abuse, know that you’re not alone.
Does It Affect Online Business Owners?
As an individual online business owner, the more exposed you are, the more chances of some form of abuse you’ll experience at some point in your lives. Online abuse is often directed at female entrepreneurs, LGBT advocates, and people of color.
There are a number of different ways that marketers can be abused online. Some common examples include:
Repeatedly being criticized about your product or content written on your site with malicious intent
Being sent threatening or abusive messages
Having personal information shared in malicious ways
Having embarrassing photos or videos shared
Being the target of cyberbullying
Being stalked or harassed online
What Are the Consequences of Online Abuse?
When you are running a business, online abuse can affect your sales. It can damage your reputation, lead to your sales being plummeted, ruin relationships with customers, and cause anxiety and depression.
How Can You Deal With Abuse?
Here are some tips on how to deal with abuse from your audience:
- Don't engage. If someone is being abusive online, don't engage with them. This will only make the situation worse. The best thing you can do is just ignore the abuse altogether. It's not worth getting worked up about it.
- Block and report. If someone is being abusive on social media, block them and report them to the network.
- Get support. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the abuse, reach out to a friend or family member for support. Seek professional help if necessary. If the abuse is really affecting your mental health, seek professional help from a therapist or counselor.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to include a photo on your business website is up to you and will depend on what kind of image you want to project and how easy it would be to keep the photos updated.
How to use photos on your business website effectively
1. Use high-quality images
This one should be a no-brainer, but it's worth mentioning nonetheless. Blurry, low-resolution images will do nothing but harm your website's professional appearance. Invest in some high-quality photography or hire a professional photographer to get some shots of your products, services, team, etc.
2. Be selective
Don't just throw up a bunch of random photos onto your website for the sake of having them there. Every image you use should serve a purpose and support the overall goal of your website. Be selective in what you choose to showcase and make sure each photo adds value in some way.
3. Use alt tags
Alt tags are little pieces of code that help describe what an image is for those who can't see it (such as people who are blind or have low vision). They also help search engines index your images so they come up when relevant searches are made. Make sure you're using alt tags on all of the images on your website.
4. Optimize your images
In addition to using alt tags, you should also optimize your images for the web. This means saving them in the correct file format (usually JPEG or PNG), reducing their file size, and using the proper dimensions.
5. Avoid stock photos!
Don’t use a stock photo and pretend it’s you! We can easily reverse-search photos using a site such as TinEye, Google Image, etc. and find out if they’re real or fake. You can use as many stock photos as you want, just don’t use any of them as your avatar. You’ll only lose your credibility otherwise.
Read More: Do I Need VPN?
If You Prefer Using An Avatar…
If you really don’t want to show up but use an avatar, then don’t use a photo of someone else but create an avatar - a digital representation of you - using an avatar maker. As long as it doesn't look too comical, childish, or threatening, an avatar can be used to communicate with your audience through your site and social media, allowing you to have control over how you express yourself within the bounds of the virtual world.
Maybe you're looking to create a new brand identity for yourself, or perhaps you want to explore a new side of your personality as a business owner. Your audience will get to know you by your character rather than your real self. This can be a great way to make new types of customers, hence more possibilities of sales.
There are plenty of online tools that can help you create the perfect image. Here are some of the avatar makers online:
- Face Your Manga: With this online tool, you can create a wide variety of avatars, including both male and female characters. There are plenty of customization options available, so you can really make your avatar unique.
- Avatar Maker: This online tool allows you to create both 3D and 2D avatars. You can choose from a wide range of different features to customize your avatar, including clothes, hair, skin color, and more.
- Bitmoji: This app allows you to create an avatar that looks just like you! You can use Bitmoji in a variety of different ways, including on social media platforms such as Snapchat and Facebook Messenger.
- Cartoonify: As the name suggests, this online tool allows you to create a cartoon version of yourself. There are plenty of customization options available, so you can make your avatar look however you want.
- Mr Hyde's Avatar Maker: This online tool allows you to create dark and gothic avatars. If you're looking for something a little different, then this is the perfect option for you.
- Chibi Maker: Chibi Maker is a great option for those looking to create cute, anime-style avatars. It offers a wide range of features, including the ability to customize your avatar's hair, eyes, clothes, and more.
- My Avatar Editor: My Avatar Editor is a great option for those looking for a simple avatar maker. It offers a basic set of features, such as the ability to change your avatar's hair color and style, eye color, and skin tone.
FAQs about avatar makers
1. How much does it cost to make an avatar?
There is no set price for making an avatar. Some platforms that offer avatar makers may charge a small fee, while others may be free to use.
2. How long does it take to make an avatar?
The amount of time it takes to make an avatar varies depending on the platform you use and the level of customization you desire. Some avatar makers may only take a few minutes to complete, while others may take longer.
3. What type of information do I need to create an avatar?
When creating an avatar, you will generally be asked to provide some basic information about yourself, such as your name, age, gender, and perhaps a photo. Some platforms may also ask you to answer questions about your interests or personality in order to generate a more accurate representation of who you are.
Conclusion
Having a photo of yourself on your business website can be a great way to show potential customers that you're a real person and not just some faceless entity. It can help build trust and make it more likely that people will do business with you. By all means, the decision is up to you.
Virtual Private Network
Are you still feeling weary of showing your identity? Worried about someone spying your web activities? For just a few dollars per month, you can protect your ID by masking your IP location by using a VPN.
The most reliable VPN service: NordVPN Review – The Best So Far
