Follow me on twitter
Facebook
Establish your brand with a Gravatar
September 28th, 2008I’m still surprised to see the amount of people not using a Gravatar, that little image you see next to a comment in the comment section of a blog. It’s easy to think it’s useless and having one is just a ‘nice to have’, but in fact I think that if you comment a lot on blogs, it is a must to establish your brand out there.
How to create a Gravatar?
I think the main reason people don’t use it is because they don’t know how to have one! But in fact, to have your brand next to every comment you post on blogs like that is pretty simple:
Gravatar comment example
Just head to gravatar.com and create an account! There, you will be able to assiciate an email address with an image you will upload. That is how a blog will be able to retrieve your gravatar image when you comment: with your email address. Of course, you can associate many email addresses with many images, so if you have multiple blogs, simply add an email address to your account with a new image and you’re done!
How will this help me establish my brand?
If you don’t comment on blogs, this won’t help you establish your brand. But, if you write 1,000 thousands comments every month and you have a nice little image next to your comments every time with your website logo or something like that, your brand will be well known across the blogosphere. For instance, my goal with putting the frogstr frog all over the place is that I want people to think: “What’s that damn blue frog I see all over the place?” and then visit the blog and get addicted to it 
It takes five minutes
Even if you don’t really comment a lot, the process takes five minutes and it’s really a nice addition to your comments, so create one!
Blog owners like it
Blog owners usually like people to have a Gravatar because it adds a little something to the comments section: personality.
Conclusion, just create a Gravatar.
25 Responses to “Establish your brand with a Gravatar”
What do you think?
Subscribe : A new sketch every morning
Receive this blog in your inbox by entering your email address:
Have one… Bit plain but works.
I wish more bloggers used hash-generated images (provided by gravatar as well) instead of those stupid blanks. They looking through commenters without gravatars so much easier.
Rarsts last blog post..Sometimes bugs are tasty
It’s great you have one and I’m sure it helps you get some visitors once in a while! What’s that hash-generated images your are talking about Rarst?
>What’s that hash-generated images your are talking about Rarst?
*sighs* Those extra options in wordpress people don’t bother to explore.
You can look on my blog, I have identicons enabled for comments without gravatars.
I am going to do a post on hash-generated avatars… They are unfairly underused.
Rarsts last blog post..Sometimes bugs are tasty
I have a gravatar that uses a photo. I have read that in many places people want to see a real person. But you make me think about perhaps I should use a gravatar with a Yoga related design. Is there a way to use different gravatars for different posts?
Thanks for making me think about this.
@Adele: What you could do is use two different email addresses when you comment. One with a picture of yourselft and the other one associated with your Yoga blog.
I don’t think you would have to use a yoga related image though, your picture will do it…It’s just a matter of always using the same picture!
@Rarst: I see what you’re talking about. I have the default picture here when somebody doesn’t have a Gravatar.
@Ben
I just finished post about it and scheduled on tuesday. Gave me opportunity to link to you as well, our topics of choice rarely intersect.
Such a busy blogging sunday for me.
Rarsts last blog post..Sometimes bugs are tasty
Thanks for the luv!
I was planning to link to your 125×125 article so we’ll be even!
how about my gravatar?. ahahaha. nice Ben.
jigss last blog post..Shareaholic the Easy Way of Bookmarking
@jig: Not only it helps you establish your brand, but you’re using an existing brand to re-enforce the whole thing!
hehe good stuff jigs!
Very true Frogstr! I have people saying “I see your big head everywhere” when they contact me, or come to the site. lol.
If I notice the same avatar at all the same sites I’m going to, I will click out of curiousity, unless you’re just saying stuff like “hi, great post” every time. I’ve actually ended up being friends with people I met that way.
So, like you said…conclusion, just create a Gravatar!
Cheers!
Jay
Thanks for dropping by Jay!I actually visited your website for the first time because of that big head I see everywhere!
I guess it works…!
It sure does well to get you noticed amongst the clutter from other websites…I think its time for me to give this a serious thought..thanks Ben for this post
I’m pretty sure you would benefit from having a Gravatar ZK
GOTTA HAVE A GRAVATAR!!!
JR
Internet Marketings last blog post..4 Months, 602 Comments, Page 2 of SERPS…Happy Anniversary!
I think JR was pretty clear on that one…!
Nice talk about the Gravatar. Looks like you have a cool blog running here. I would like to invite you to enter a contest for a chance to win a free blog review by me. Just subscribe to my RSS feed by email and let me know you have by commenting on my “Giveaway” post or sending me an email.
Patels last blog post..What Should I Blog About?
Don’t get me started. I signed up, uploaded it, did what I was supposed to do and it still don’t show on 98% of gravatar enabled blogs.
Dennis Edells last blog post..Important Tip: FREE Will Cost You In The Long Run – Do You Agree?
See….
Dennis Edells last blog post..Important Tip: FREE Will Cost You In The Long Run – Do You Agree?
That’s strange Dennis…You really use the email address you registered at gravatar.com to comment? And is your gravatar rated G?
Ok lets test this…
Dennis Edells last blog post..Important Tip: FREE Will Cost You In The Long Run – Do You Agree?
Nope…..yep same email and G rated.
Dennis Edells last blog post..Important Tip: FREE Will Cost You In The Long Run – Do You Agree?
There it is buddy!
[...] of frogstr had recently posted on how gravatar can help your brand. It is indeed nice service (I am going to explain in details below) but taking in account people [...]
I like it. We must establish our brands identity though gravatar. It gives recognition to our products.