personal pic in avatar ye or ney?

[Former_Member]

My husband made a new banner for me today and told me to put my personal pic as my avatar. Any opinions on this? It feels weird to me, but he has been in marketing for years.

[MissouriMel]

I'd put a photo of myself as my avatar if I can ever take a decent one. I never photograph well. :(

[Former_Member]

i've heard recently from other shop owners that it's helped them with sales. i have NO idea if this is actually true, but i've had more sales this month (since i changed my avatar to a pic of myself) than the last two months. i've also doubled my shop inventory.....who knows!

[Former_Member]

I use one of myself. I started without it but a friend suggested that a photo of me wearing one of my own designs would be smart. She thought that some people looking to buy from artists or craftsmen (or craftswomen:) might want to see who they are buying from- it makes it more personal. And she's a smart gal- so I took her advice :)

[RainGirlDesigns]

<---me

I have also used a pic of my items too. I have used some fun avis that have nothing to do with me or my products. I have pin-up girls for most holidays.

[Davs]

I was using a cartoon drawing I did of myself for a while but worried people wouldn't take my art seriously because of it so now it's just me.:)

[Former_Member]

I was wondering about that too. Unfortunately a personal picture has so little to do with what I am selling unless I draw one on my forehead which I am pretty sure would be more scary :)

[correenscdesigns]

If it is a good picture yes, I think it is allright. I personally like seeing a good picture of one of my products on someone else. I usually change my avi around but this one I haven't because it makes me happy.

[EVEofEurope]

ye - definitly! I tend to click on shops with a personal picture as an avitar. I am not using one for my shop, but I have a picture of myself on my web-site.

[ArtisanRoseCreations]

I chose to use a little girl I painted on a tee shirt since I thought showing one of my hand painted items would be best in my case. But, I too, like to see pictures. I don't think anyone wants to see a picture of an overweight grandmother, but maybe one of my grandchildren since they are so cute wearing one of my hand painted tees!

[ArtisanRoseCreations]

Correen, you just gave me an idea! I have a beautiful buyer that sent me an appreciation photo of a custom tee I made for her recently, maybe she would let me use that....hmmmmm. I would love for others to think I am her....oh to be young again! haha!

~Lona

[Chanchala]

I use something that represents 'me'. I wouldn't use a picture of me myself and I wouldn't be tempted to click on an avatar that was of the seller rather than of an interesting item they make. But that's a personal preference.

Also, I've never changed my avatar. Wondering if I should...

[Former_Member]

If I had any pictures of me I would use one. I think I would click on a profile or item from someone with a personal picture...off to find one of myself!

[Former_Member]

<---- Mini-me. Because who doesn't want to look 25 years younger. Haha!

[JeannieRichard]

Am using a logo to build a branding identity of ourselves.

Not sure about whether using a personal photo would increase sales because its the items buyers are loving - and if they are buying because the maker looks nice then there is no point in creating beautiful items isn't it?

Our standpoint for having our logo as the avatar is branding and creative professionalism = reliability.

[Former_Member]

I like personal pic avatars. Mine is one of my fun times at the Renaissance Faire. Pic avatars can be fun and tell a little bit about the seller which can also bring to life the words in their profile. It gives a little more of a connection when buying online.

[Former_Member]

I personally use my logo for the avatar for branding purposes. I use it on all my selling venues for that reason. I have heard that a picture of yourself will have a "connection" appeal to the customer, so my picture is in my bio on AF and other places. I'd use it here but don't see that Etsy has that option.

[Former_Member]

Use a painting of myself - not sure if that has the same connection value - any comments?

[Former_Member]

Im gonna try this....I have not had a sale yet, so we will see if this works... Cant hurt, right? Or maybe it can! lol :) Self pic added!

[OniOniOniArt]

I agree with nanagcreations - if Etsy had a place in the profile section to upload a personal photo, I would, but I don't want a picture of me for an avatar.

[TheOttSpots]

I switched to a picture of myself too...3 sales in 3 days since, we'll see if that trend continues!

[Former_Member]

I go back and forth about this. I had a vintage style picture of mysels in my avatar and now I don't. I haven't noticed too much of a difference in sales. I will say this; sometimes when it's a personal picture and nothing else I have no idea what the person is selling unless their shop name is very descriptive.

[NightShiftVintage]

I don't photograph well either, so I picked an avitar that looks like me...brown hair...nice boobs, ok... I have brown hair.

[Former_Member]

I like pics of products.
My avi for my fb is my chubby cheeked face.
I don't care for faces on etsy..........unless its a cute pic of your cherub. Can not resist a baby face.

[MariasWorkshop]

Reading your comments, I am starting to ponder on this. My avatar is a picture of my sister when she was a little baby, just because I love that picture and it looks (and is) vintage. She is now 82 and it makes me happy to see her picture in my shop. However, it has nothing to do with jewelry or additional items that I will eventually include in my shop (small reproduction porcelain dolls, knitted items, etc.).

Would you give me your opinion about my avatar, please. Should I change it? I am not concerned about being an older woman - but I do not photograph well at all. I could try taking several photos of myself and select the best.