Friday, May 2, 2008

CAN'T YOU JUST PICK ONE AND STICK TO IT?

I'm refering to your avatar. If you constantly change your avatar how will the people who hearted you and remember you from your avatar find you?

I remember people's avatars and not their usernames. Especially if they have a long name or their name consists of common words like "beads" or "designs" or "sweet" or "jewelry". Unless your name is super unique or I talk to you a lot the chances are I won't remember it. Why do I remember you by your avatar and not your name? Because It's easier to remember an image than a bunch of letters especially if it's eye catching. Plus it's a lot easier to search through your favs looking for a photo than a name. So when you change it I can't find you.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that when you pick an avatar it should be something that is constant like a logo, if you have an item on display it should be your signature design or something that is always going to be carried in your shop. (Note: People hate clicking on avatars of a beautiful product and it's not even in the shop!). This way people will be like she/he's the girl/guy that sells ______. It should be something that will help brand your shop and help customers recognize you and what you sell. I know that a lot of people feature their work in their avatars but if you are always changing it people won't remember you. There's a reason you have featured items in your shop. Make use of it.

Your avatar is SO important because it gets seen in your shop, chat rooms, forums and other networking sites you may be on. I have always used the winking bread as my shop avatar and it has served me well. A few months ago my shop name changed from Coonies to TheTinyFig. What helped my past customers and the people who had previously hearted me recognize and find my shop was my avatar. It was confusing for a lot of people at first because they thought that I had stolen Coonies avatar and shop items haha but in the end it worked out to my advantage that I kept my avatar the same because I've had a lot of repeat customers.

So, this is just something you might want to consider before you go changing your avatar.

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GUESS WHO THE AVATARS BELONG TO AND WIN!

These are some avatars on Etsy that I have noticed don't change at all or very often. The first person to guess all 9 of them correctly will win one of these guys from my shop. You must post your answers in my blog comments to count.



So, happy guessing!



19 comments:

Rare Earth Jewelry said...

Hi Fig
I agree with you 100% on the avatar issue. I think it should be like your signature. I recognize a lot of folks by their avatar. I participated in the forum the other day on this subject and I just don't agree that it should be changed to a new item every time one sells. So I'm sticking with mine. :)

Jared May said...

I only know six of them. I'll have to browse around the forums a bit. :)

Steph said...

I know 7! Have to try and figure the other 2 out.

Stephanie said...

oh, I only know five of those! I love the giveaway item though, so cute

Mary Richmond said...

i know 8....the other 2? not so much....;-)

Connie said...

Mary there's only 9 of them

Aja said...

I know 6, the other 3 I know them but not their names, kwim?

Perhaps they'll grace us with their presence tonight.... ;)

KieutiePie said...

I only recognize a few =}

Field Notes said...

oh dear, it seems I only recognize 3 and can name just one ..

Unknown said...

I can't believe how many I recognized! Too much time on the boards, I think LOL. Off to find the others ;)

Artisticle said...

I only know you as the little toast guy!

Andrea Q said...

I recognize all of them, but can only name seven.

I completely agree with keeping your avatar the same. I can't recall changing mine in the year I've been selling at Etsy.

Little Woman said...

i am only missing one!!! it is killing me!!!

Mandi said...

Ooh what a fun game! I only know 4 of them though :-( I finally found my "the one" avatar. It's my 3rd, but they've all been a monkey's face/head. So not a drastic change. I'm planning on keeping this one.

Diane said...

I got them all, except 1! grrr!

Tizzalicious said...

That's so much fun! I've already seen the answers now thougth :( I think I would have known about 4! I am like you, don't remember names at all!

Hook It Up! Jewelry said...

Oh no!! I just changed my avatar...

Please forgive me, but the old one was too dark, and I wanted something new for summer.... normally I would not do it... but I just had to this one time...

:D

Lorri said...

I agree with the avatar issue 100% :) I try not to change mine and I like my little design - I use it everywhere and try to keep it consistent, so that it does become familiar in peoples minds.
My daughter and I run a paper art store in W.Australia and we have a logo which incorporates a mini pic of ourselves, we took the images and now both use them for our avatars.. that way we can be recognised together for our business and individually too :)

CRAFTS FROM THE HEART said...

I recognize 8 but can't name them all.