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It was my impression too that the photo could be appropriate. EDIT: I've edited my comment to make it more constructive. Brian, I think you are doing a great
by friendstock 15y ago
It was my impression too that the photo could be appropriate.
EDIT: I've edited my comment to make it more constructive. Brian, I think you are doing a great job with AirBNB and handling this situation. Please take these comments as constructive criticism regarding the photo (in this particular situation).
- brianchesky 15y ago:(
- ccollins 15y agoDon't let them get you down, Brian.
- gobongo 15y agoI hesitated to even bring it up because I didn't know how to say it without it sounding like a personal attack, but FWIW, I didn't mean it as one. We all have photos taken of us that convey personalities that aren't really our own. I don't think you're a douche, but the photo gives that impression a bit.
- deleted 15y ago[deleted]
- boredguy8 15y agoClassiest reply in this whole discussion.
- friendstock 15y agoMy sincere apologies!!! John
- temphn 15y agoYo man: f these haters. Even the well meaning ones with their rubbernecking advice, even the fellow YC alums who don't understand that when a man has just been through hell and back that the last thing he needs is more people piling on with "constructive criticism" in an open forum. A lot of people tried to kill you just now, with a few like Melinda Byerley openly admitting that this was just an opportunity to express their envy and hatred. http://techcrunch.com/2011/07/31/another-airbnb-victim-tells-his-story-there-were-meth-pipes-everywhere/?fb_comment_id=fbc_10150268193548512_19794824_10150268212763512 http://techcrunch.com/2011/07/31/another-airbnb-victim-tells... For PR reasons you need to smile, even as JimmyL critiques the sincerity of your orthodontics. Smile on the outside and ask them in a chipper tone how you can be of service, but in the end, seriously, f* em. There's an insane amount of implementation work to do to get this 24/7 support and insurance program operational. F* em all and just plow. Pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. And your real customers and fans will thank you for it.
- friendstock 15y agoPoint taken. For the record, I'm a big fan of AirBNB and have used it multiple times.
- BrandonDC 15y agoFor what it's worth I think that the photo looks perfectly fine. I'd be a very happy person if I could photograph that well. Customers don't care how professional the profile pictures look. They care about their experience using the service itself.
- tansey 15y agoSorry Brian, but it was my first reaction as well. I showed a friend the pic and asked "what do you think of this person?" and she said "he's evil and creepy" :( If it were me, I would just take a quick snapshot right now and replace that photo temporarily, until you can get some better professional shots.
- laughinghan 15y agoNo really, open Photo Booth and take a brighter picture, right now. Studies have shown that the first impression you get of a piece colors your perception even after you read the whole thing. Pictures have a stronger immediate emotional reaction than words do, and while the bolded "we will be implementing a $50,000 Airbnb Guarantee" definitely gives an immediate "wow, nice" feeling, it'd be even better if it wasn't dampened by the initial "uh, who's the Bond villain?"
- Lewisham 15y agoTo be fair, I think it's a decent smile, but the lighting, combined with Brian's dark eyebrows, creates this shadow which is easy to interpret as slightly sinister. If his head was raised slightly and lit more strongly, I don't think you'd feel the same way.
- friendstock 15y agoSorry, I meant that: It was my impression too that the photo could be made more appropriate.