What represents you best on Hubpages,a photo of you, or an avatar of some sort a

1. 76

   robie2posted 13 years ago

   What represents you best on Hubpages,a photo of you, or an avatar of some sort and why?
   
   Why do you use the Profile photo you use?  Do you feel most comfortable with a photo of yourself of an avatar of some kind such as a picture of a pet or a drawing or landscape photo?
   
   

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2. 98

   peeplesposted 13 years ago

   I use my photo because I think people should know what they are getting. Even in my profile summary I am very honest and open about my life. When you leave things out people have to assume. I'd prefer they didn't.

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3. 94

   Cardisaposted 13 years ago

   My writing represents me best. As you can see I am sporting and stick woman avatar so that doesn't truly represent me but you can tell about me through my articles, short stories and poetry.
   
   It doesn't matter what avatar I use, I change around mine a lot, mostly for fun. I sometimes use my own portraits, sometimes a landscape. I feel comfortable using any photo or image I use at the time.

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4. 64

   K Kissposted 13 years ago

   Why do I use the profile pic that I use? Well when I first opened up hubpages I had no clue that I was going to stick around or that I could actually earn or not. I just chose a pic of me with my cat, my son, Panda and after months of using that pic I never regretted it. If ever the thought occurred to me to change I wouldn't because I believe consistency and stability is whatever picture you have helps build awareness of you.Sometimes readers don't remember the name but they recognize the picture.
   
   I don't know the objective view but I believe that the avatar really doesn't matter as long as the writing delivers its objective.

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5. 76

   Seeker7posted 13 years ago

   I use my Border Collie, Roy on Hub Pages. When I feel a bit low or tired, he inspires me to keep going. As to my own photo. I've honestly never liked getting my photo taken, I always look so dumb! So unless I can get a top class photographer that can make me look at least a little smart, then I'll stick with my beautiful Collie.

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6. 0

   KatrineDalMonteposted 13 years ago

   I use my own photo because I want people to know who writes what they read, who is behind all those words. I decided on that right from the beginning.

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7. 77

   JamaGeneeposted 13 years ago

   Great question, robie2 (Jama says while kicking herself for not thinking of it first)!
   
   That said, I'm of the mind that how one chooses to represent oneself in a public setting such as Hubpages is a matter of personal choice.  When I joined HP, avatars were the preference of the majority of hubbers who welcomed me. I tried out a couple, didn't like them, then found the one you see here, and it's become my "brand", as it were.  Because hats have mostly gone out of fashion, it also makes it easy to spot my comments and such among the rest.
   
   There's absolutely NO INTENT on my part to deceive anyone.  Wearing a similar hat, I don't look all that different than the avatar.  So why go to the expense of a professionally-made photograph when I already had this image to use as my avatar? 
   
   For the record, if you were to meet robie2 in person (as I have) and talk to her for a few minutes, or see photos from her younger days (as I also have), you'd know her avatar not only bears a striking resemblance to her real-life self, but embodies her personality perfectly.  ;D

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8. 0

   Curiadposted 13 years ago

   I believe that a photo of yourself is the best way to go. I feel this way because a photo of yourself creates a connection with your readers and allows them to see the person behind the words. Some writing sites will not even allow you to have any credentials without a real photo.
   
   But in the long run, I think it's another tool to build your readership and create trust in your readers.

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9. 81

   gregasposted 13 years ago

   I chose a picture of myself because I like people to see me as the person writing. I had a picture of my dad with me, but abter he passed awayin October I changed. It was just to hard. I would prefer to see pictures of other hubbers and know what they look like when I am reading their creations. But, that's their choice. Greg

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10. 64

    Lisa HWposted 13 years ago

    I'm not at all comfortable using my own picture.  In fact, it took me five years on sites like this to even consider putting some version of a real picture online.  First, I don't like public exposure.  Second, I don't like the idea of someone being able to copy a whole picture and turn it into a fake I.D. if they're so inclined. 
    
    I've actually turned down some writing work because a professional head-shot was required with the profile or the article.  BUT, within the last year, there's been more and more talk about how people who put real pictures can seem more real, and therefore, trustworthy to some other people.  After years online, even I'd become cynical enough to have a hard time paying much attention to anyone who didn't have some version of a real (and authentic looking) picture.
    
    Also, though, I'd occasionally gotten e.mails (when I didn't have my real picture) from people who seemed to imagine that I was something I'm not, and I'd think, "What on Earth do you think I am??!!" 
    
    So, with those things adding up, I decided to at least post a partial picture of my own face.  I tried to make it kind of whimsical, but when I look it at it it looks more spooky.  Oh well....     It is what it is.   
    
    When I decided to finally use a real photo (and Google and HubPages recommended using the same one everywhere online), I did put it on Facebook and Google+.  After awhile, though, I got too uncomfortable and went back to the non-face photo everywhere but here.  Sometimes the "shy" part of me gets squirmy and I take the real photo off for a day or so, but I do notice that my profile then looks a lot "colder" and less personal - so I end up putting it back (at least for now).  I don't really think my real picture represents me best, because I don't look on the outside like the kind of person I am on the inside.  (That was another reason I didn't want my real photo online:   I have a hard enough time in offline life with people making assumptions based on my face and demeanor.  I didn't want that introduced in my online life too.  I think there's a chance that having the real picture may have actually hurt my credibility, rather than helped it.  Oh well...   For now, it's what I'm using.  What I do tomorrow may be another thing.     )

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11. 83

    DonnaCosmatoposted 13 years ago

    I use my own photo on every site where my writing is posted. This is part of my marketing and branding strategy because whether a client (or potential client) remembers my name or not, they can recognize my picture. I also use the same photo across the web to further "brand" my product, which is myself as a writer.

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12. 87

    stephhicks68posted 13 years ago

    I have always used a photo of myself, but I do wish that I would have used a better Hubber name from the start.  I don't have multiple HP accounts, and am pretty much transparent across my social media networks.  I guess this could change as I get older and/or things change on the Internet.
    
    That said, I love being able to relate to other people's avatars (as I have done with you, JammaGenie, Sally'sTrove and others).
    
    Awesome question, Robie! 

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