What Is It That You Want?
Sure, it's just one blogger's opinion, but here are the Top Ten Design Mistakes for weblogs. #2 is "No Author Photo."
Even weblogs that provide author bios often omit the author photo. A photo is important for two reasons:In case you're wondering why I'm no longer a lost shoe. Still working on #3, "Nondescript Posting Titles."
* It offers a more personable impression of the author. You enhance your credibility by the simple fact that you're not trying to hide. Also, users relate more easily to somebody they've seen.
* It connects the virtual and physical worlds. People who've met you before will recognize your photo, and people who've read your site will recognize you when you meet in person (say, at a conference -- or the company cafeteria if you're an intranet blogger).
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4 comments:
I was wondering vaguely why you aren't a lost shoe any more.
I have a lot of respect for Jakob Nielsen's opinions on website usability, but as he himself acknowledges:
Some weblogs are really just private diaries intended only for a handful of family members and close friends. Usability guidelines generally don't apply to such sites...
That's all my blog is, a (semi)private diary, and a sporadic one at that. I'm not trying to sell anything, or convince anyone I'm an authority on anything, and I'm not actively seeking new readers. So I don't give a rip about credibility or whether some random reader can relate to me.
It would be different if I were running a "Tal Shiar HQ" blog presenting articles and information about a specific CCG, for example; then I would want to establish my credentials. (Though I probably still would not post a photo of myself -- I never did on my old website, and it didn't seem to matter to anyone.)
qvuqnmux
Agreed on the personal angle there, Major. I'm not selling anything either, and my Google ads are just for fun. However, sometimes I try to direct traffic here from other locations, so I have some concern about how things look around here to people who don't know me. I know that those of you who do can't be impressed by anything that happens here. :)
Gotta disagree here Sho. From my experience in radio, maintaining the illusion of outward appearances was well worth the effort. Since we initially judge someone on what we see instead of what we hear or read, your words will have more power without the little snapshot.
I like to surf blogger by hitting the "Next Blog" button and I do often wonder what some of the posters look like. If I saw that, then I think it would change my opinions of what I read on their blog.
So I think what you're saying here is that I have a face for radio. Either that, or you found me much more believable when I was a shoe.
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