Let’s face it, people can be judgmental. They see something or someone and instantly make an assumption.
Drive a flashy sports car and it implies you have money. Live on the “wrong side of the tracks”, some people think you’re “less than”. Wear wrinkled, dirty clothes and you could be labeled as “low life”.
It’s often written we only have a short amount of time (usually seconds) to make a first impression.
But what about online? On your blog? Does the same apply?
Yes, it does.
Today’s Lesson
I often stare at my blog and ask myself if it reflects my intent, if it reflects “me”, and the message I’m trying to convey.
When I look at my header, it fits my personality. It’s nothing elaborate, not too fancy, not too flashy, actually, rather simple, but professional looking. (I think.)
The body of my blog, shows others what’s important to me.
My content takes center stage. (well it’s not in the center, but you know what I mean)
My left sidebar starts with the most recent New Blog Of The Week. (you all know I love to promote new bloggers). Next, is my answer to Digg’s front page. It lists my highly most commented posts. ( I love comments). Below that are the most recent commenters, complete with the avatar and name. (I want to promote other blog authors, too.) Below that are random posts, and my blogroll.
The right sidebar is mostly for navigation purposes. You’ll find my subscribe buttons, what my blog is about, my most recent posts, categories and the beginning of my book review section.
As you’ll notice, what’s important to me is, or starts, above the fold.
As I visit other blogs, I look and make an assumption of what’s important to them. If everything above the fold is ads, that blogger is (probably) hoping to make money from their blog. If it’s half ads, half content, that says something too, as do photographs.
Today’s Assignment
If you look at your blog through a reader’s eyes, what will your readers first impression be?
Are you are on target with how you want your online presence portrayed?
Or, does it need to be changed?
P.S. Mine has changed many times since I started blogging.
Photo Credit: pedrosimoes7′s photostream
Hi. I'm Barbara Swafford and I'd like to welcome you to Blogging Without A Blog. Grab a seat, share your thoughts and join in the conversation. 
You know those little pictures you see posted next to comments on blogs, Twitter, Facebook and other social networking sites which identify the author?
Me
Sometimes you’ll hear them called gravatars (globally recognized avatars), but many just say “avatars”.
I like to call them ADvatars since they “ad”vertise who we are.
In some ways they are like our calling card.
Since they brand us in blogosphere, it’s suggested we use the same image on all sites we frequent and that they represent how we want to be known, whether by our photo, our logo or an image which best represents us.
Today’s Lesson
Recognition online is very important.
So the questions become, “What is the best way to brand ourselves?”, and “How will others recognize us?” .
By our name? By the name of our blog? By our avatar? Or, all three?
To test what brands us the best in blogosphere, I’ve created a little game.
Listed below are three columns with the names of 20 random blog authors, the name of their blog, and their avatars.
I then scrambled each category.
To play, take time to study each list and see if you can match the author to their avatar and to the name of their blog.
Don’t cheat. Honest answers will help all of us to gain better recognition in blogosphere.
Ready to match them up?
Good Luck!
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1) George
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2) Keith Davis
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3) Kelvin
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4) Mandy
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5) Hilary
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6) Tess
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7) Raul
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8.) Lisa
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9) Tony
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10) Joella
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11) Heather
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12) Linda
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13) Chania Girl
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14) Julie
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15) Wendi
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16) John Hoff
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17) Evelyn
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18) Friar
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19) J.D. Meier
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20) Lori Hoeck
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Practically Intuitive
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Alien Ghost
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Heather Villa
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WP Blog Host/Blog
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Trottersville
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Blogs With Wings
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Positive Letters
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Mandy Allen.com
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Sources Of Insight
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Tumblemoose
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Puppet Kaos
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Easy Public Speaking
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Living Happiness
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jbulie’s blog
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Think Like A Blackbelt
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Life’s Little Inspirations
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Abundance Tapestry
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The Bold Life
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Roses 2 Rainbows
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Deep Friar
Today’s Assignment
How did you do?
How do you recognize fellow bloggers? Is it by their name? The name of their blog? Or their avatar?
Care to share?
P.S. To repeat what I mentioned in an earlier post, for those of you who haven’t added an avatar/gravatar to your profile; it’s very easy. Refer to my post titled, “How To Get and/or Add A Gravatar to Your Post Comments”. If you have any questions of need help setting up your avatar, please feel free to ask.
Want more of the game? See: How Branding Works In Blogosphere and Are Domain Names Overrated?; earlier posts in which we matched other bloggers to their avatars.