UPDATED: choosing an appropriate author photo for a flyer
Thank you, you did it! You voted for the most appropriate author photo for a flyer. The verdict in the end was clear: the CHEERFUL selfie got 10 votes, the DAZED (aka WRY) selfie got 8 votes, WINDY got 6 and a half, and all the others had a few fans except for poor DUBIOUS.
I have used the winning author photo in a real flyer for a real house concert in Christchurch next month. That’s a private event, of course—I can’t show you that flyer.
But as a by-product I’ve made a draft flyer for similar gigs in the future, and I can share that one. (I just love the communal experience of reading in a private home and I hope for plenty more.)
Flyer for a house concert using a selfie and PowerPoint
Feel free to copy this process
I’ve made a lot of flyers over the last 50-odd years and this is one of the easiest processes I know. Some of you may find it useful—hope so.
- Choose a suitable image without copyright issues: mine as you know was a selfie.
- Open PowerPoint and plonk the selfie anywhere on the first slide.
- Add the text you want in a couple of text boxes.
- Check the Design Ideas and find one that appeals.
- Tinker with the slide until it looks OK to you.
- View the slide in Slide Show and take a screenshot: that’s your flyer.
- Voila! You’re done.
For the record, the author photos
Here’s what I asked you to do, and you did it! Voting was rapid, unregulated, unreliable and non-representative, and I’m not blaming the Russians.
- Please tell me which photo(s) would attract you to one of my gigs (if it was possible).
- I do not wish to look solemn or poetical: the title is quite enough to terrify people without me appearing to be floating in realms of poesy.
- I want to convey that the event will be fun and funny as well as meaningful.
Will you please give your unvarnished, uncensored opinions. I can take it—been working on my abs. Trust me, I want the truth so don’t hold back. Here we go. Nine photos, at last count.
Cheerful — the winner
Dazed — close second
Dubious—not a single vote went to this gorgeous portrait
Fey—3 votes
Oh no!—one vote
Over the top—2 votes
Shocked—one and a half votes
Tragic (just kidding)—one and a half votes
Windy—6 and a half votes
Thank you for a clear message about author photos
Thank you my friendly followers and random readers! This was a serious exercise in customer research: you were my focus group.
Voting is closed
But I have been thinking about the wider implications of your choices. I’ll write about that another time…
I like the Tragic photo. With that face, I’d love to hear what you have to say. There is nothing wrong with the top of your head, is there?
Oh how funny. I mean tragic. I was mainly concerned with getting the whole cover in the photo. I forgot about my head. No, I think it’s pretty normal as heaad-tops go.
I’m so glad you haven’t lost your head.
You could do a flip book flyer or a montage using all of them! Otherwise, I like the cheerful one – although “shocked” is appealing too.
Now there’s a thought…
My fave is Dazed. It’s got elements of challenge and mystery and mischief. Irresistible!
Lesley
I like the composition, bisecting the face.
Cheerful, fey, and the last one.
Thanks Sadie. Almost no agreement so far!
I think they all are good. You’re such a wonderful person, full of life that any or all of them will work.
Oh Sadie!
❤️
And to confuse you all I like Oh No and Windy but agree most of the others would be just fine.
So much fun to see this total lack of consensus! And yet there is one message coming through…
I’m voting for Shocked.
And I’m opening Excel.
I really like the last one, Windy! And then the first one. But the Windy one has both character and charm and is very appealing.
I am thinking each photo is gathering a fan club.. And soon they’ll all be appointing their own campaign managers….
Cheerful 🤗 We all need more of that and you have it in spades 😁
OK!
Dazed and Windy do it for me. You are fab!
All first rate! I’ll go with OTT as that’s always a tough pose to get right. 10/10. Congrats.
Finally OTT has a voter! It had to be you, doododoodododooo…
Nor being one to commit myself, I like Cheerful, Dazed and Windy – I think you might get fed up with the others over time. Possibly Windy by a whisker.
Interesting… I’m starting to see wider implications in this poll.
Hi Rachel – I’d go with cheerful too … good luck! Hilary
We all just wanna be cheerful?
Windy, without a doubt!
Aha, Welly is the place to be!
Dazed does it for me, followed by tragic.
I’m counting first choices as a one, also-rans as a half.
Such a fun post. Windy, Cheerful and Fey are my faves.
Dazed is my favorite!
A popular choice 🙂
Not surprised:)
I like Cheerful. It feels the most authentic and not like a caricature of an old lady who actually wrote a book. I don’t like feeling that as older women we are minimized or ridiculed. Some of those pictures look like you are trying to beat others to the punch. Sorry, you asked for unvarnished opinionsn.
I like dazed.It has a cheeky humor to it that suits the title.
Dazed and cheerful are neck and neck.
I loved Dazed. I have watched your readings and I think it captures a wry side of you that I really enjoy.
Wry is the word, I think.
I like cheerful, as this is you to a T! Always upbeat, cheerful and inspirational. X
Right, Maggie, your comment seals the deal. Cheerful is the winner followed closely by Dazed. So I’m revising this article right now!