Building an Effective Profile

## Why Your Profile Matters Your profile is your identity on Peddl. A well-crafted profile builds trust, attracts followers, and helps you connect with the community. --- ## Profile Photo Best Practices Your photo is the first thing people see - make it count! - ✅ Use a **clear, well-lit photo** - ✅ Show your face or business logo - ✅ Avoid blurry or group photos - ✅ Update regularly to keep it current - ✅ Minimum 200x200 pixels, **recommended 500x500** > **📸 Pro Tip:** Natural lighting works best! Take your photo near a window or outdoors for the most flattering results. --- ## Writing Your Bio Your bio is your chance to introduce yourself: ### 🛍️ For Buyers - Share your interests and what you're looking for - Mention your location or community ties - Keep it friendly and approachable - Update with any changes in interests **Example:** > "Local foodie and craft enthusiast from Portland. I love supporting small businesses and discovering unique handmade items. Always on the lookout for sustainable products!" ### 💼 For Sellers - Describe what you sell and your specialty - Share your story or business journey - Highlight what makes you unique - Include any certifications or credentials - Mention your values (local, sustainable, handmade, etc.) **Example:** > "Handmade pottery artist with 10 years of experience. All pieces are locally sourced and sustainably made. I specialize in functional ceramics that bring beauty to everyday life. 🌿" --- ## Social Media Links Connect your social presence to build credibility: - 📷 **Instagram** - Perfect for visual content and behind-the-scenes - 👥 **Facebook** - Great for community engagement - 💬 **Discord** - Connect for real-time chat - 🌐 **Website** - Share your portfolio or online store > **🔗 Connection Tip:** The more connections you have, the more trustworthy your profile appears! --- ## Location Information Help customers find you: - 📍 Add your **city or region** - 🏪 Sellers can add business address - 🔒 Control visibility in privacy settings - 🔍 Helps with local search results --- ## Building Trust Increase your credibility with these steps: ### Verification Steps 1. ✅ **Complete email verification** (required) 2. ✅ **Verify your phone number** (recommended) 3. ✅ **Connect social media accounts** (builds trust) 4. ✅ **Maintain positive reviews** (engage with customers) 5. ✅ **Be responsive to messages** (reply within 24 hours) 6. ✅ **Keep information up to date** (review quarterly) ### Trust Badges Look for these indicators on profiles: - ✓ **Email Verified** - Completed email verification - ✓ **Phone Verified** - Added and verified phone number - ✓ **Social Connected** - Linked social media accounts - ✓ **Active Seller** - Regular activity and sales --- ## Privacy Considerations What to share and what to keep private: ### ✅ DO Share: - General location (city/region) - Business information - Products and services offered - General availability and hours - Social media profiles ### ❌ DON'T Share: - Exact home address - Personal phone number (use messaging instead) - Financial information - Passwords or account details - Personal identifying information > **🔒 Privacy Tip:** You control what information is visible. Review your privacy settings regularly and only share what you're comfortable with. --- ## Profile Checklist Use this checklist to ensure your profile is complete: - [ ] Profile photo uploaded - [ ] Bio written (2-3 sentences minimum) - [ ] Location added - [ ] Email verified - [ ] At least one social media link - [ ] Notification preferences set - [ ] Privacy settings reviewed - [ ] Account type selected **A complete profile gets 5x more engagement!** 🎉