People who use sexy women as their Avatar

1. 75

   Richieb799posted 14 years ago

   I think People do this to gain more traffic to their profile? I was thinking of doing it too so I gain more but it makes your profile less personal, so I'm not going to now lol
   Does this annoy anyone?

   replyreport
   1. 76

      Shadesbreathposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Depends how you want to be viewed by others. If you want to lure people to your profile under false pretenses, you'll get them (I might even go. Once.)  Or if you want to present a genuine or artistic or fanciful side of yourself instead.  In the end, what will matter is what you write anyway.  So, it's not really a big deal.  You'll get horndogs to come check you out though.  If that's what you want. 

      replyreport
      1. 61

         katiem2posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         It may generate more traffic but does it equate to sales....and if you do how would it relate to your true efforts and niches?
         
         I use the same photo as it's my trademark.  I'm in the Internet Marketing business and have many followers who know me by my profile picture, I use it on my blogs, websites, articles, everything and if you find me on face book it'll be that pic, or twitter, wherever I am on the net I use the same pic.  It's not sexy and I feel professional.
         
         I don't use avatars as I feel people respond better to a real face!  The real deal.  PLUS using a sexy avatar may suggest that your hiding behind it and that suggest fun not work, in my opinion.  But live and let live...
         
         I just assume those using fun and or sexy avatars are in it just for fun!
         Yet many avatars are very business and or art like which is a whole other side,serious...
         
         Great question! 

         replyreport
         1. 59

            suny51posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            however rough i may look,i would use my own natural photo.

            replyreport
         2. 76

            Shadesbreathposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            
            
            I'd say in your case you have killed two birds with one stone.  However, I agree that a professional image for professional work is far superior.  It comes down to intent.  Any avatar, really.  If you want to be taken seriously as a professional, then act like it.  I'm certain my avatar would be abysmal if I wanted to make real money, be taken seriously in that way, as much as would a super model pic probably hurt me too.

            replyreport
   2. 77

      H.C Porterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      hmmm?
      are you referring to people that use pictures as their avatars that are not of themselves-sexy as provacative?
      I think that you may be correct, that some do this to gain traffic, but that is very short term. You can get people to your pages with a sexy picture, but to keep them coming back to read and to follow you- you have to have something other than a sexy picture. Don't you think?

      replyreport
      1. 75

         Richieb799posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         HaHa, it was just annoying me, your right theres no point, apparently I provoke the women with my according to Saddle Rider, I wouldn't sell my sold and use a sexy chick avatar

         replyreport
         1. 79

            mega1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            personally, I think it is just despicable that people use sexy images to try to get followers and more traffic!  I would NEVER do that! 

            replyreport
   3. 64

      Mishaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Open a second account

      replyreport
   4. 67

      goldenpathposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Annoy, yes, but also understand.  Sex is a powerful tool and in the internet age it is perhaps the most powerful and alluring tool.  Yet, it's not used without price.  As you've hinted there is a level of degredation associated with it.  Views, expression and content from those sources are often seen as emotion driven and without actual pertinent substance.  It doesn't make the people behind those avatars any less of a contributor but it is obvious that attention is the primary drive.
      
      In a nutshell you want to use the picture that personifies what you want others to see and associate with you.  Do you want to be seen a real with something of substance to contribute to the internet, or do you want to have the image of something light hearted and strictly fun.  There is nothing wrong with any of these pictures.  It's just a matter of what you REALLY want your countenance to reflect.  Forget about what's cool or looks good.  You are in front of the computer with a host of people who don't know you.  It's your chance to let us know you through your avatar and your content.

      replyreport
2. 75

   Richieb799posted 14 years ago

   Thanks Guys I think I like my own Face as my Default now, it helps others distinguish you as someone they can relate to

   replyreport
3. 62

   Lisa HWposted 14 years ago

   They do it for the reasons you said, but not long ago I noticed that they generally don't show up in, say, the first forty or so pages of "top Hubbers". There may be a couple that look "borderline" in their somewhere, but they're not the "obvious" kind anyway.  So I'm thinking they approach doesn't help them much on here.
   
   I go back and forth between the idea of a real photo (of the real me, not someone else) and a non-human one.  I kind of like separating my writing from whatever I look like.  I do think people seem to respond better if the photo is a real one of the person.  People who have those "obvious" ones aren't fooling anyone, though, and, to me, they're about the least "personal" way to go.  At least a non-human avatar may show a glimmer of your personality.
   
   When I see those "obviously ridiculous" glossy shots of model-types I just figure the person is on HubPages for reasons other than writing something he hopes people will take seriously - and click away immediately.  Some writers may even have great looks, but their photo isn't likely to be one of those glossy, "magazine" "numbers" if its real.

   replyreport
4. 0

   selrachposted 14 years ago

   I like my sexy baby picture

   replyreport
5. 68

   blondepoetposted 14 years ago

   Well Richie you have a sexy pic but we love it. I am all for a nice pic but only if it is the real person. I laugh at some of those glossy supermodel pics, and think honestly they just need to be themselves

   replyreport
   1. 60

      Betty Reidposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with Shadesbreath and blondepoet.  You gave a sexy avatar that also looks a real person.  No offense, but I think it's funny, and now that you have my attention, I will go read a few of your hubs.

      replyreport
      1. 68

         blondepoetposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Woo hoo see Ritchie your natural charm has even caught the attention of Betty.

         replyreport
         1. 75

            Richieb799posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Thanks Blondie and Betty

            replyreport
6. 76

   ladyjane1posted 14 years ago

   I use old movie star pictures not to hide behind but because I like them so much. And everyone knows I am not this or that actress but I just think it adds a certain style to my personality and page. I don't think that it has hurt me any as far as views.

   replyreport
7. 71

   myownworldposted 14 years ago

   Personally, it really doesn't matter to me what someone uses as an avatar : - sexy or unsexy, real or borrowed - a writer's merits cannot and should not be judged on it's basis. Yet, for many it creates that 'first' impression and may even detract from someone's writing, forming preconceived notions about their work even before it's been read. In which case, it's wiser to stick to a more 'neutral' avatar, esp. if you're here as a professional writer.
   
   I use my own picture, and though it comes with it's own drawbacks and advantages, that's who I am and all I hope for is that one's words speak for themselves and leave a far greater impression on one's readers than one's appearance will - an insignificance, as far as I'm concerned. 

   replyreport
8. 61

   tony0724posted 14 years ago

   Its not a bad Idea. How long would someone want to look at my mug ?

   replyreport
9. 95

   Alison Grahamposted 14 years ago

   I think I would find it offputting if an avatar was overtly sexy - I would wonder if it was just a trick to get me to read the article in the first place.  But each to his (or her) own, I guess, personally I prefer the WYSIWYG approach and put my own picture on as readers who come across my stuff on other sites know it's me!

   replyreport
10. 0

    zampanoposted 14 years ago

    I use a five century old avatar.
    But as I didn't want to exclude the sexy side, I'm posing all naked amidships.
    MOW knows about it. She had a look once with binoculars...
    heheh.
    Look carefully.

    replyreport
11. 57

    saddlerider1posted 14 years ago

    You get what you see, my ugly mug, with my beard is staying on. Richie don't you get the notion to go sticking some funny avatar up there to replace your handsome dude look, the goils would not like that. hah:0)

    replyreport
    1. 75

       Richieb799posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Haha, thanks Saddle Rider, Maybe I do benefit from the Ladies views then.. I think I'm gonna stick with this one for a long while, Ive had it 2 months, only had 3 avatars since I joined

       replyreport
       1. 57

          saddlerider1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

          I would stick with that coy Johnny Depp  seductive look lad. Gotta keep the lady folk happy. Everybody likes to see the' real you, don't yah be hiding behind some Avitar now you hear. hah

          replyreport
       2. 68

          blondepoetposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          You remind me of Robin actually from The Dark Knight, can't remember his name. All you need is a mask and you would be dynamic!!!!!!

          replyreport
12. 71

    Cagsilposted 14 years ago

    

    replyreport
13. 79

    mega1posted 14 years ago

    really, I don't know why I even bother, sometimes. :

    replyreport