A while ago, I read in a writing book that writers who put his/her picture on his/her Website greatly increased traffic, business and developed a more personal relationship with the writer. So, I went with it and after debating about putting my face on my Website, I did so. A couple of days ago, I read an article online that said writers should be wary about putting a photo online. So, what to do? I struck a compromise and played with a photo until it was clear but not as easy to pick me out of a crowd. Once again, I've noticed that there is an abundance of conflicting advice given to writers about promotion and self-marketing.
Anyone else have thoughts about the safety of putting a clear photo on a personal Website or blog?
5 comments:
Hmmm. This is really interested, especially since I had the exact same problem a few days ago. I'm inherently paranoid, so I wasn't sure if I wanted to post my pic on my blog. Then decided to go and do it, only it's pretty small and blurry enough not to get me easily recognized.
The truth is, there are always going to be conflicting writing tips. Everywhere I go, I see one thing that is going to contradict the other. In the end, I stopped reading all of it and just went with my own instincts.
Writing is personal, meaning that it's different for everyone. What works for me might not work for you. Finding out what works for you saves you a lot of headaches, and a lot of reading time!
This is just my opinion though, based on the fact that my own tips work better for me than what I see - sometimes even from my fave authors!
I'm quite paranoid too about putting pictures online. I have friends who post incredibly personal pictures on the Web and it makes me nervous.
I completely agree that everyone has a different opinion about the "right" way to write an article or the "best" way to get an agent. For a while, I felt confused about what I should do so I tried to follow everyone's advice and now wish I had went with my gut. I think instincts can be everything in this business. :)
I've only questioned putting my actual picture on my blog because I was worried about not being taken seriously. I want to develop relationships with other writers, but if they're older and see that I'm younger, I didn't want them to treat me differently, talk to me in a different way, or even just not talk to me at all! Then I realized that what I write about has some elements in it that indicate I'm young (talking about graduating... new job... etc). Oh well. I figure I only want to develop relationships with people who respect me just as I am...at any age!
I had one for the longest time, but then I took it down. It wasn't a safety thing, necessarily - it was a really great picture, but it was really old and I don't have another decent picture of me to put up there. I tend to avoid cameras like the Plague.
Interesting point, Steph. I'm constantly using my age to my advantage so I never thought about not being taken seriously. Hmm...
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