The other day I was spending time in one of my Facebook groups and I came across this post:
Christine Alejandro >> “Can anybody tell me how to get my photo to show up when I leave a comment on another person's blog instead of that weird squiggly thing that shows up in place of my photo.“
and that was followed by
Kimberly Eldredge >> “Yes! Yes! I did it once and don't remember HOW I did it. If you could also please include how to UPDATE the image.“
One fantastic way to increase your visibility is by posting comments on other people's blogs. One way to help your comments stand out from someone else's (and reinforce your personal branding) is to use a Gravatar (Globally Recognized Avatar). A Gravatar is a small thumbnail picture that will show up next to your comment rather than a generic image. Most blogging platforms (like WordPress, Typpepad, Blogger, etc.) support Gravatars.
The thing I love about Gravatar is that I can upload my picture once and it is updated all across the web!
Let's Look at a Posting with and Without a Gravatar
Which one of these comment headings draws your attention?
My eye clearly goes to the sample that has Kimberly's picture. Instant extra visibility on the web!
How to Create a Gravatar
Ok, so now that you see the logic in taking a few minutes to create your Gravatar, here are the steps to set it up.
1 — Go to www.gravatar.com
2 — Click the big blue button that says “Create Your Own Gravatar”
3a — If you already have a wordpress.com account, sign into that account
3b — If you don't have a wordpress.com account, enter an email address and password in the form provided along with a user name. Then, click sign up. Note: use the email address that you normally use for commenting.
4 — Look for and click the activate link the email they send to you.
5 — Sign into the account you just created.
5 — Click “Add one by clicking here!” You will have four button choices:
- If you want to upload from your computer – choose My Computer's Hard Drive
- If you want to use an image that is already on the internet – choose An Image on the Internet
- If you would like to use an image that you have uploaded at a different time – choose A Previously Uploaded Image
- If you want to take a picture to use – choose A Webcam Attached to Your Computer
6 — Once you have added your picture, you will be taken to a simple editing window. In it, you will see previews of how your picture will appear. They also have a slick cropping tool to let you select the area of the picture that looks best in the thumbnail.
7 — You will then be asked to give your Gravatar a rating (much like the movies).
8 — The last step in the setup is to click the image to select/confirm it for use.
Then you're done! When you comment on someone's blog, use the same email you used to create your Gravatar and your picture will show up automatically.
Advanced Visibility with Gravatar
1 — Your Gravitar account also has a profile attached. This profile is searchable, so make sure to fill in the information. Share who you are and what you do! Simply click on My Profile in the top navigation to be taken to the profile edit page.
2 — Your About the Author Profile image on WordPress sites can also be tied to your Gravatar. If you see my bio box at the end of this post or if you look at my media page on this site, the image you see of me is my Gravatar. If I ever update my image, it will update on my site too! How is that for easy visibility?
How to Change Your Image Later
For branding purposes, it is a good idea to keep your profile/avatar/social media pictures the same. When you have the same image across a number of platforms, you allow people to start recognizing you. (Tip, you can even take the same picture and put it on your business card to help people connect when you meet face-to-face too.)
All that said, if you are updating your images (a good idea if your image no longer looks like you!) then you simply log into your Gravitar account and click the add a new image link.
If you don't remember your user name and password, try various emails and ask for a password reset.
Special Strategy Tip:
When you pick your images for comments, social media, on your blog, in your email signature, etc. are they the same picture, or do you have different pictures? If you pick ONE image and use it in all locations, you are more likely to be recognized and build authority faster. I've been using this strategy for a few years now and the results are impressive. People recognize me at live events (make sure the pic you use actually looks like you!), stop me in stores, and follow me on multiple platforms because they recognize me. There is a reason that the big corporations have the same logo on every commercial or even have the same commercial in heavy rotation. Repetition forms familiarity and that, over time, can build the know/like/trust factor.
Special Tech Tip: Make Your Image Retna Ready!
Apple redefined screen resolution with retna displays. The images that you see on a retna display are sharper than ever before. Clarity! It's great! However, if you are still using pictures that are not optimized to be “retna ready” you could end up looking blurry on someones iPad.
Consider supporting a sharper you. You'll want to upload a higher resolution picture of yourself to take advantage of the retna-ready Gravatar. If you'd like to know more about that, check out this post on how to make your Gravatar retna-ready along with a sample picture showing you the difference between retna-ready and a picture that is not.
That's it! Create your Gravatar today and let me know how it goes.
Here's to your consistent visibility across the web!
Raphael Love says
This is great information and something that could serve you very well as you share you thoughts in blog posts and other social media sites.
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Thanks Raphael.
Laurel Regan says
So important – thank you for taking the time to explain it all so well!
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Great to see you here Laurel!
Joan M Harrington says
Great tips here Stephanie!!! Thanks for such a valuable post!!!!
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Hi Joan – Thanks for dropping by and sharing your thoughts.
Brian Meehan says
This is a great tip! Exactly what I was looking for.
I’m off to setup my gravatar!
Thanks for sharing. Much appreciated!
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Glad you like the tip. Can’t wait to see your picture on this comment. Remember to use the email that you use to comment on sites. You can also add more than one email to your Gravatar.
Brian Meehan says
Thanks Stephanie! Delighted that this working.
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Hi Brian – Woohoo! So glad it worked for you. It’s lovely to see you. Thanks for dropping by and I hope you come back soon.
Carey says
This is a very practical and helpful post Stephanie. I appreciate you taking the time to walk us through the steps. I have stumbled upon most things like this mistake after mistake until I got it right. I so appreciate folks like you taking the time to lay it out so simply. I’m sure many people will benefit!
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Hi Carey! Thanks. Glad you stopped by today. Love seeing your smiling face in my comments.
Carey says
I have to admit, that’s a comment I’ve never received before. Blessings sister!
Stephanie LH Calahan says
grin Blessings to you as well.
Justin M. Davito says
Great post for helping others!
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Thanks Justin!
Christine Alejandro says
I just tried this, so I hope my gravatar shows up. Thank you so much!
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Yeah! I see your lovely face!
Debra Jason says
When I started using a WordPress site (years ago), that’s when I learned about Gravatars. This is a cool post with easy-to-follow tips for those who want to create their first Gravatar.
Will check out your post on “retna ready” as I’m not familiar with that.
Thanks
D
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Debra – I had not heard of retna ready until recently either. It’s an added level of picture clarity. I have not switched mine yet (time for new pictures), but I can certainly tell the difference for those that have!
Thanks so much for the tweet and G+ share. You are a gem!
Vatsala Shukla says
I did the exercise of ensuring that my image across the various social platforms where I engage were identical. I also made sure to tie both my website email id and my personal one to the same gravatar so my image appears each time. Now to check retna ready. Really excited, Stephanie!
Stephanie LH Calahan says
That is fantastic! I know you are doing a lot to get more visible right now. Keep up the great work!
Kimberly Eldredge says
Woohoo! Thank you so much for telling me how to UPDATE the image. I’m always tickled when I post a comment on a blog and BANG my photo shows up. But in all honesty, I couldn’t remember HOW I did it.
And yes, my photo does look like me but changing hair (or switching from glasses to contacts) really DOES make a difference.
Thanks again!
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Excellent!! I know what you mean about small changes making a big difference. I’ve been considering a new cut to my hair… That would mean changing a number of profile images too. 😀
Blair Warner says
This was a very helpful post, and spelled out very clearly, step by step how to get a Gravatar. I just got mine? Is it showing up to the left?
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Woohoo! I can see you. Yeah. Much better than the generic gray and white head WordPress gives. Glad the steps helped you get more visible.