Personal Branding 101 – How (and Why) to Include Your Photo With Your Blog Comments

You’ve probably noticed that some comments on our Healthcare IT Today blog  are accompanied by a small photo or graphic that appears each time the individual posts a comment.  This image is known as a “Gravatar,” a globally recognized avatar that follows you from site to site as you leave your footprint in the blogosphere.   Is this a vanity play for those of us who want to see our smiling mugs scattered across the Web à la Hansel and Gretel breadcrumb style?  No.  (Well. . . maybe for some, but I’m here to write about the higher purpose)!

Gravatars help professionals distinguish themselves from their colleagues, and are an invaluable tool in your personal brand building toolbox.  Let me show you the power of a Gravatar at work.  Click on the “Comments” tab to your right.  What jumps out at you?  The entry with the photo of the commenter, right?  Right.  Not only is the commenter attracting your attention to this particular comment, but s/he is also introducing her/himself to you in subtle way, thus building a personal brand – one comment at a time.

Why is this important?  Because in this competitive environment, every advantage helps.  If you’re a job seeker (active or passive, so that’s all of us!), you can quickly gain the reputation of being an expert in your field by offering thoughtful, knowledgeable insight to Healthcare IT  industry blog posts, which may open doors to key career introductions down the road.  If you’re an employer and/or recruiter, your personal take on our industry’s state-of-affairs may, over time, help to attract the precise candidates you seek.

Ready to come out of hiding?  Start here. But before you do, take a look at the video below which gives you a great overview of where else your new Gravatar will come in handy:

About the author

Gwen Darling

Gwen Darling is a Search Executive specializing in Healthcare IT, the Founder of Healthcare IT Central (the leading online Career Center for Healthcare IT job seekers and employers), and the Former Editor/Founder of Healthcare IT Today. Gwen also is a featured blogger for Healthcare Informatics magazine.

   

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