So, do I HAVE to use my real name to make sales?

[Joshua.E1]

i agree that you do not have to use your real name on the Internet.

just like a author who writes a book, has a author name for the fans, we can do that too.

[George Tee]

I'm just wondering about this question if you are writing a real book, do you want to use a real name so you can brand yourself later, or should you use a pen name?

[Justin1]

Some of u guys have cool names and should use them for IM!

The first time I heard Tellmans name, I really thought it was a novelty name, Tell man Nothing, tell man nudson, like in the hogans heros show when the fat guard, says, I KNOW NUSSING. But thats the way my head works I spose. Ive had my stepfathers name since he brought me up, but its a hard name to spell and is spanish/italian, and like some others, I really dont want my name all over the place, so I will have to think of some other cool name lol
Talking about Tellman, man that man sells any crap in his emails, worst list I am on I think!!!!

[Rolliesworld]

You only focus on one main niche:

• You could either use your real name or any name.
• You'd have to stick to whatever name you chose to use.
• If it is not your real name, you might want to consider paying for WhoisGuard privacy protection in order to prevent people from accessing your real name information
• You'd have to consider situations down the track where you might have more exposure with the public in 'real life' (radio station interviews etc) ... not sure if they'd accept your fake name

You work in a number of different niches:

• This I find tricky ... on one hand, you lose credibility as an 'expert' in each respective field if you chose to use your real name
• On the other hand ... imagine you are using VIDEO on your various sites ....people will recognise you by your looks, your voice, your accent ... but will be confused when they realise you are obviously concealing you real name ....however, NOT using video or audio for that reason I don't find a good idea ..!

====> Any thoughts on how to approach the multiple niche aspect...when using video and audio?

[CPA]

Hey mate,

No you don't. Just take a look at what the rich jerk did for example.

Just come up with your own unique idea and stuff.

[Rolliesworld]

Originally Posted by Fernando Veloso

I can say this: i don't buy stuff in groceries where the owner uses a mask.

That is a weird comparison ... it's like saying the choices in IM are either using your real name or bluntly stating to your visitors/prospects/customers that you are not willing to reveal your name (Call me "Mr Anonymous").

[Istvan Horvath]

Names can be funny things - and be careful when you choose a pen name
Your Name Is Who You Are

Let me give you the story of my names outside of IM because one might have to change names even in the real world, not only online...

I my native country I started a journalist career as Lastname I. Firstname (I. stands for middle initial and in my native tongue we put the "family name" first). It has become a brand name for me, even in its abbreviated form: LIF.

Then I moved to another country and after about a year or so writing with the same name I got an offer I couldn't refuse: to work at one of the most prestigious newspapers. So, here I was sitting at my new desk when the editor in chief stopped behind me and asked: what name are you going to use, mister? Because he had exactly the same Lastname Firstname as mine

I picked a new Lastname and again made it a brand in a few years. Even my oldfriends learned to call me on my new name.

Then I moved to my third (present) country and started to use just my original Firstname Lastname (no initial and lost the accents... á became a)

One day I started to play with some website building stuff and signed the otherwise awful result with the name my niece used to call me, something like "uncle Bob". I signed up in different forums and websites with that nickname, started to make websites etc.; finally built a relatively profitable web design business all using this "uncleBob" nick.

Recently, when decided to "save the baby boomers" I figured it would be better to use again my real name instead of a nick name, and separate this IM activity from that old web designer persona...

However, if I will ever venture into other niches, I will, probably, use different pen names, as many people say they do.

As you can see, sometimes you may be forced to change your name, other times a joke becomes your "brand". It doesn't really matter as long as I can honestly stand behind whatever I achieved under different names.