How to Add Your Image (Gravatar) to Your Blog Comments
Have you ever noticed how some people have a thumbnail image of themselves next to their blog comments? It looks good doesn’t it?…but that’s not it’s only advantage. It’s also a great way of branding yourself. If you leave enough comments on different blogs, then what happens is that you begin to start being recognized by other bloggers. Suddenly your face starts appearing everywhere and other bloggers begin wondering who you are and what you do.
That image is called an avatar – and yes, if you have seen the movie Avatar (which I highly recommend) you should already have an idea of what an avatar is. Unfortunately, in the world of blogging an avatar is not as exciting. Wikipedia defines an avatar as “a computer user’s representation of himself/herself or alter ego…”
Leaving blog comments is a great way of getting traffic to your site so make the most of it and take the time to add a photo – it doesn’t take long and is worth the effort. You only have to add your image once and then everytime you leave a comment on a gravatar enabled blog your image will appear next to it.
You will often see people using pictures of animals, flowers, movie stars, a company logo or anything but their own photo. If you really want to make a name for yourself amongst your blogging peers then you should really stick to your own photo wherever possible.
So how do you add your image?
Step 1: Head over to www.gravatar.com and create an account. It’s free to do so.
Step 2: Follow the instructions to add your image. Ensure you use the same email address that you will be using when you leave comments. It is the email address that will trigger your photo.
Just remember that the blog you leave a comment on needs to be gravatar enabled otherwise your photo won’t appear.
That’s it. It’s pretty simple really. Now leave a comment below and watch your image appear.
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Great post, although most bloggers already know about this, there are non-bloggers and newbies that need the info you have provided. Good insight:)
And yes, Avatar is a visually spectacular movie.
Ms. Freeman´s last blog ..Don’t Let Go of Your “What If?”
Well you’d think that most bloggers knew about it but I have so many people who leave comments on my blog that have a beautiful blog and yet they have no image against their name.
Oh I can back this up 1000%(which really makes no sense). I have tons of first time commenters state that they’ve seen me EVERYWHERE and had to come see for themselves…I just never had the nerve to use my real face. lol
Comedy aside, it’s also branding. Since I use my real name EVERYWHERE also, I figured my initials was a good idea.
Dennis Edell´s last blog ..The Time Has Come. The Deal Is Done. It’s Time To Move!!
LOL – I was the same Dennis. I never really wanted to use a photo of me but I just bit the bullet and did it.
I think at this point, I might hinder more then help if I was to switch it.
Dennis Edell´s last blog ..The Time Has Come. The Deal Is Done. It’s Time To Move!!
I agree Dennis. It’s kind of hard to change your avatar after you have been using it for a while. You become instantly recogizable by it.
Paula,
I’m always surprised by all the things I am supposed to know about blogs and don’t. I did this so long ago that when I needed to tell someone else to do it I had forgotten the site. I had to Google it. Now I can just point them here.
Thanks,
Brad
Brad Harmon´s last blog ..Jesus Says Use Your Boss’s Money to Make Friends?
Actually that’s why I write a lot of these ‘how-to’ blog posts. In a good majority of cases I just do it for me so I can refer to them when needed. It’s easy to forget something when you only do it once or twice.
Hi Paula
I am one of those that didn’t know how to do this so I really appreciate the ‘know how’. I love the ‘how to’ blog posts because there are so many things to learn. Now-lets see if this works!
Thanks Shirley
Shirley´s last blog ..Forced into Retirement
Well it worked Shirley. Excellent!
There is another Shirley who regularly leaves comments on this blog so now I will be able to tell the difference!
Paula – I found this a little late. I have a few blogs, but one is a group blog and I just finished typing up instructions about this very process for the group.
I love this feature, but agree with Dennis. Not big on my photo, but my logos help brand me and the sites I represent.
Maybe someday I’ll put my picture on a blog somewhere. Hmmm, maybe make it a game: Will the real blogger come forward?
CJ @ Page Landing´s last blog ..Page Landing – Cleared for Landing Page Design
When I first starting building websites many years ago I was told that I needed to put my photo on my blog. At the time, I just couldn’t do it. It took quite a few years before I finally did. I think it just makes your blog a little more personal.
I just had a weird thought. For your group blog you can have a “collage” made up with all the faces…maybe too small for some comment sections, but kinda cool as a 125 or bigger banner for advertising. lol
Dennis Edell´s last blog ..Why Are You Still Here???
I am new to the concept of blogging to make money. thanks for the useful information. I am going to be your newest subscriber =)
It’s a nice feeling to be making money from something you love to do and I can see from your blog that you love to blog.
Hi, this is a great entry. I was about to write the same to guide my blog members on how to create the gravater. Now, I can lead them here, and generate some traffic for you
Hey thanks Stanley and glad you like the post.
Great idea! ladies, great way to leave your john henry.
michael norwood´s last blog ..Cowboy’s First Love
I’m not sure why this came through the feed a second time, but it is interesting that it did.
I JUST had a messenger discussion about how avatars make it incredibly easy to find a comment among a sea of comments on a particular post.
It cuts scrolling time to mere seconds.
Dennis Edell | Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..Would You Like a PRIVATE Community
Not sure why it came through either Dennis. And you’re right about the scrolling time.
I’m glad you did a post on this for newbies or anyone who just know. It took me forever to figure out how to get a picture up when I posted. hahaha and it was so easy to do.
Bernita
Bernita@solar outdoor Fountain´s last blog ..Solar Table Top Fountains
Not only easy, but it looks good too. I just scrolled up this page and everyone has their gravatar displayed. It looks great.