Yesterday, a member of the Thirty Day Challenge FriendFeed room posted his success in the Challenge -- on Day 31, he made his first dollar online. (Yea, Art! Way to go!) In the comments on his announcement, another member posted, "Goodonyamate - now its time to have a photo here!" I stopped myself from having a conniption all over someone else's comment thread. My main reaction was, "Why?"

You will never see my picture used as an avatar, for one simple reason -- I don't want to have to look at it 50 times a day. In the interests of consistency, I use the same avatar for Twitter, FriendFeed, and FaceBook; and seeing my ugly mug all the time would drive me nuts.

Besides -- what do you need a picture of me for? I don't want people seeing a photograph and immediately making judgments based on my age, gender, weight, clothing choices, or the quality of my camera; I want you to judge me by the quality of my words and ideas, and nothing else. If you can't say whether I'm an OK person without seeing a picture first, then you're free to go elsewhere.

I know that all of the internet marketing educators recommend using a photograph of yourself as your avatar, to show people that you're not a construct or a spammer or something. I may not be following "best market practices" by not using a picture of myself; but that's my choice, isn't it? I'm following other advice, about having a consistent personal "brand" and making it easy to figure out whether I'm the same person here as there. (And in case you care, my avatar represents a name I've been using for the last >20 years in the regional science fiction convention community.)

So, in short -- a person's choice of avatar is their own decision. For someone else to assume that only a photograph is a "proper" avatar is, well, not exactly in the spirit of the all-encompassing internet, is it? Accept diversity, dude. And if those of us who have chosen, for whatever reason, not to put our faces all over our feeds upsets you . . . so sorry. I'm afraid you're going to have to learn to deal. Because even if you convince some of us to change, you'll never get all of us. Ever. Get used to it.

I think that a photo goes a long way in developing relationships. After viewing the photo on social media sites creates the feeling that you know a person.

A photo can definitely help -- but it can also hinder. A lot of people make judgment calls based on what they see; and since I look nothing like who I want to be, I'd rather people judged my words than my face. Hopefully in Web 2.0 there's room for that too . . . :-?

On Facebook I use my picture because I am using it as it is intended, catching up with friends from school etc. On Twitter I mix and match, but that is because that is part of who I am on Twitter.
If I was being Allison representing Allison's Chocolate Cookies, I would use a picture of me permanently.

There is no right or wrong (despite what people who want your money will say). What resonates with some people will not with others. If you are comfortable with the results you are getting then good for you.

I've thought about a picture on FaceBook, but it bothers me that the moment you upload one it belongs to FB, and they can use it however they like. Worries me . . . But I might add a picture to my LJFWolffe.com About page, if I ever find one that I like. That'll be a tough sell.

And I agree about "never saying never." (from FF) I may eat these words eventually -- but that's a future I can't currently forsee! :P

I worried for years about people judging me by weight, gender, looks, etc...then decided, screw it! I'm reconnecting with old friends and family and I appreciate seeing them...so they can see me. :) But my myspace has yet to have an avatar that looks like me. :):o

If I ever find a picture of myself I can stand, I'd like to put it on my blog for just that reason -- so people who know me can see me. Of course, finding that picture when there are so few taken of me will be fun. ;) We're currently talking about taking one of me hiding behind my cat and keyboard -- which is the way MiLady and StepDaughter usually see me! But nothing firm yet . . . :P