Putting a Face on It

[bunnywithatoolbelt]

Hey all--I just was just thinking about something and it occurred to me that it might be a great topic for this forum. When I started out on Etsy 5 years ago, I used a photo of me for my profile picture. Then I heard someone recommend that you use a product shot because it helps get your work out there in one more way, so I did that for about 3 years. Last fall I applied to the One of a Kind Show Chicago via Etsy and they required we put a photo in the profile picture for the jury process.

It was then that I realized how important it is to use a photo there and not a product shot. There are plenty of opportunities to show off your work in an Etsy shop, but only one place where you can put a face on that work. I specialize in custom wedding cake toppers, so I have a personal interaction with almost every one of my customers. In the past few months, I have come to feel that having my smiling face there on every convo, and every time someone looks at my profile, really helps sell my work, much in the same way that being present at a craft show and talking to your customers would.

(as an aside thread, it also puts more weight on the business name--I have had so many people tell me they looked me up from a list of names just because they had to know what a "Bunny with a Toolbelt" made!)

Thanks for listening! I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic.

-Hilary (aka Bunny with a Toolbelt)

[Former_Member]

I see your point for sure, and I think if you are thinking about your avatar just in terms a picture next to your shop when you are viewing your shop page, you are probably right. However, I spend a lot of time in the forums, and I know that I click on people's shops all the time based on seeing interesting products in their avatar. So there are really two ways to look at it.

I think if you are an established shop and you have sales all the time, a personal picture is probably good, but if you are just starting out (or like me, never have any sales!) maybe good to stick with a product shot to get yourself out there.

:)

[Former_Member]

hmmm, I have used both and what is wierd is that I only sell when I have a piece of jewelry as an avatar and not my mug... I wonder if my face scares people away?

But in all honesty I love when people have thier face as thier profile, it feels like you get too know them a little bit.

[OrangePoppyPrintable]

I'm with stellaspace - I click on shops with product pics if I'm interested in their product. I rarely click on shops with people photos. However, I will click on a dog photo. So - that's just me :)

However, Hilary - I did click on your shop because I, too, had to see what bunnywithatoolbelt made (the animal thing again!). And I went on to click your blue doxie which led to your adorable animated movie! I would like to feature that on my dogs' blog in the next day or two, if it's okay with you :)

I always love this thread topic. It's almost always divided down the middle! I think it depends on your mug, also. You will never see mine as my avatar unless it becomes a federal law and then I will probably just shut down my shop :)

[bunnywithatoolbelt]

hmmm.....I have put most of my promotion efforts towards being found by search engines and doubt that a lot of my actual customers find me from forums. So that must have a lot to do with my avatar attitude.

Every once in a while one of my customers sends me a photo of themselves during the design process--this happened just yesterday--and they always say "so you can put a face to this project you're working on." This makes me think that sometimes there's a place for putting your work first, and other times when there needs to be a human behind the work?

I don't think there's really a right answer for this, by the way. I just felt like talking about my experience and hearing from others. Thanks for responding!

[Former_Member]

Very interesting topic, Hilary (I love it when I know etsian's names)!

That's why I am using both... My face and product! XD

So, what about the seller holding - or posing with - a product?

Hugs!
Tati

[Former_Member]

I wish we could put a personal photo in our Profile Section. It's not that I don't want to put a photo as my avatar, but I definitely feel that it generates more interest using my product.

~Lisa :o)

[Former_Member]

Tati says, "So, what about the seller holding - or posing with - a product?"

Great idea!!

[Former_Member]

Ahah, I've been wondering about this myself! I recently removed my personal avatar to replace with a product shot (or rather a model demonstrating my product!) and Im not sure what difference its made to my store..... I will say though that sometimes an interesting avatar is enough to make me go a-clicking into someone's store so maybe there is some merit to a bit of creativity when designing your avatar?!

[FalconandFinch]

I also like the idea of a personal photo in our profile. I don't think there are any hard and fast rules about what is better- portrait or product as avatar. I think you have to figure out what works best for your type of business. Something personal, based on interaction with a specific customer, like bunnywithatoolbelts cake toppers, might be better suited to a picture of the artist. On the other hand, my bread and butter is vintage cameras, and I'm not sure that a pic of me would be more attention grabbing than the image of a curious and rare old camera. I think you have to play with it and find out what suits your shop best.

[DanasPaperFlowers]

I think you have a great point, i also started out with a picture of me (one i was particularly fond of, if i may say so!) and was quickly told that an avatar of my product would be better suiting. I suppose there is truth in this but it was a little hurtful to be told to take down the face behind my business to increase business, like my face is a deterrent! I see the validity in having a simple product picture as my avatar, instantly everyone knows what i sell, but they dont know who i am. I often want to tell people simple things that a picture would convey (1. im a real person 2. im young 3. im always smiling!) but cant argue against having a product picture as my avatar. maybe ill change it up just for fun since sales are coming easy these days :)

thanks for making me think twice about it!

[Former_Member]

I think allowing us to put a picture of ourselves on our profile page would be awesome. It would be cool for people to see me at work in my shop in a picture.

[bunnywithatoolbelt]

I love the idea of an avatar of you with your work! See-this must be why I posted this! I am going to work on that one.

[bunnywithatoolbelt]

Ps Deanne-I just now saw your response-we must have been writing at the same time earlier. Thanks and of course you're welcome to blog the dog video.

[Former_Member]

I must say I like to see other people's faces too. To me, it just adds to the credibility of work being handmade by one person or a small team. Personally, I am not ready to put my face on the avatar though, but that's because I don't like to see myself in photos :D
The avatars cannot be expanded, though, so that is something to consider if wanting to post a photo of person + work. What I've found that some do is to put an example of their favorite creation as an avatar then come out in the product photos. I think putting a face to the work is a potential, and adds a personal touch... after all Etsy is mainly for handcrafted items!

[Former_Member]

Changes in the website should also be considered.

I don't think I've *ever* made a sale through the forums - and with focus change from main forum to teams a lot of the conversations I have are with people who know me (and my work).

I've always preferred mugshot with product, and have been meaning to change it back, so thanks for prompting me to change my profile pic :)

Edited for grammar.

[Former_Member]

ZoeLoveJewelry says Edited on Apr 27, 2011

I think allowing us to put a picture of ourselves on our profile page would be awesome. It would be cool for people to see me at work in my shop in a picture.

--------------------------

I think this is a great idea! I love love love my avatar (first soap I listed here on Etsy :D ) so I'm pretty attached to it. BUT I use my face everywhere else: Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr... It would be nice to be able to have even just ONE picture in our profile. Would love to have one of my man and I with our product. :)

[Former_Member]

I almost always had a photo of a product for my avatar pic..but I figured it was about time to put a face...wearing one of my products ;)

[twovagabondsvintage]

I've been going back and forth with this.... I think I'm going to give it a try. I'm also going to go with the suggestion of using my face and a product. I've been meaning to list an apron for a bit now. I'll come back with my new avi and let you all tell me what you think!

[Former_Member]

I like the idea of having a personal pic on our main page, not our avatar. :) And Tangentine, I actually have had a few sales through the forums, so it is possible!

[Former_Member]

Oh Altogether - I know - I just meant it never happened for me :)

[bunnywithatoolbelt]

Ha ha-I just noticed that there is actually a picture of my work in this shot-next to my head in the background. Plus the necklace I'm wearing is antihero etsy artist, Arthur Hash. I don't think this counts though. It's certainly not my Bunny with a Toolbelt work.

I was also thinking about the way that some printmakers photograph themselves holding their work for their listings-would be cool if you could use that format but include your whole head in focus?

[Former_Member]

Glad to read that you like my idea, folks! :D
Thanks!

[ShopCrochetHappens]

I have actually just been thinking about trying a product picture instead of my logo. But now I wonder about using my picture instead.

I had removed my picture in the past because of reading somewhere that it was better to not use your picture. But from my experience, visiting peoples shops, I do like to see a picture. It gives me the sense of a more personal experience.

[Former_Member]

Certainly if you are "attractive" it probably helps to have your picture. But if you are like me "plain Jane" I think a product pic probably helps more. I have had a product as my avatar for a week and I may go back to it but I did just buy a logo package from a fellow seller so I wanna show off my new logo because I am so happy with her work. :)