Is it ethical to use a pen-name and pen-identity?

[netmanec]

I'll be promoting affiliate programs in a niche for women. I'm a man. I have a good knowledge of the general topic but not in the specific niche I am going into. I'll be using good quality PLR articles for my giveaway product and using other people's articles, with proper attribution, for my promos.

I read in one of my Internet marketing courses that "you can't be an expert in everything"... "no one will believe you". The course recommended I use a pen-name and use a royalty free picture and a pen-identity (biography) for each niche if I want to promote in several distinct niches.

My intent is to do forum-marketing, article writing/re-writing and other content-based promotions. I have done lots of research over many years on the overall topic so I do know what I am talking about...but I'm not 'certified' on the topic. I've just been reading up on it and applying the knowledge to my life and helping people around me.

The reason I am asking for advice is because my kids found out what I was doing and they think it is "WRONG!". Kids have a more innocent understanding of life and often as adults we develop a warped sense of core values.

What do you think? Is it ethical to use a pen name? Is it ethical to use someone else's picture who I don't even know? The made-up name and picture will become quite famous by the time I am done with the promotions. What's your advice?

[JakeRhodes]

I think it depends what exactly your niche is. For example my main website is hypnotherapy based, I don't claim to be a hypnotherapist in my articles although my brother who scripts and records our sessions is. If your articles are offering health advice then I feel it's wrong to "hide behind a mask".

In terms of being an "expert in everything", from the subjects you have mentioned they all fall under the umbrella of marketing so I see no reason why you'd need a pen-name for that.

Really the only reason I see for having a pen-name is if you run several websites in very different niches and you don't want them to be associated with each other.

[charlesburke]

Why not ask Mark Twain, Conway Twitty, Muhammed Ali, Abdul Kareem Jabbaar, and Engelbert Humperdink if using an assumed name is unethical? All of those worthy gentlemen used new names in their careers. And so did Tootsie.

Use any name you want unless you're intending to cheat someone.

And don't worry about your kids - relatives often understand less about our goals and reasons than a rank stranger ever would. (Guess that's why you decided to ask in WF.)

An assumed name makes total sense to me. I have a vested interested in protecting my real name and main niche from dilution by the articles and sites I've done in other niches, so yes, I've used pen names.

And if I were writing for an all woman market, I'd definitely change both name and writing style to match the audience. It's not about you - it's about helping your audience feel more comfortable accepting the information or advice they're seeking.

Cheers from warm and smiling Thailand,
Charles (or is it Naomi today?)

[Steven Carl Kelly]

charlesburke: Don't forget one of the all-time faves... Betty Crocker!

Of course it is ethical, so long as you are not doing so in an effort to perpetrate a fraud.

[robinincarolina]

I guess it depends on what exactly you are doing. My screen name is the same as it is here and I am working on creating an online presence with my name. I even get traffic to some of my sites by the keyword robinincarolina. So I guess it depends on what you are trying to accomplish. I want a reputation, but my name of course is not robinincarolina.

[Jim Phillips]

Hi netmanec,

I use them all the time. My company always has disclaimers within all our informational products and software. We have an array of different products for a variety of niches. Each product is well researched by experts.

Our products are for informational purposes only. Make sure you have complete rights to all images.

If you feel uncomfortable seek legal counsel. It is worth the money. Laws are constantly changing.

Best Regards,

Jim

PS. I know people who claim to be women in forums (social sites, blogs, etc.) because it pulls more traffic and comments within some niches. So be careful of those pretty little pictures.

[sgsmorgan]

Lets go a little further back and bring in the likes of George Elliot. I think there is nothing wrong with Pen Names as long as the intention behind them is sincere and genuine. The moment the content or advice gets dubious then fair comment but I do sometimes wonder that folks involved with Internet Marketing sometimes do appear to have more time on their hands than is sometimes necessary.

There are plenty of real issues out there that we all need to face and can all do with some serious advice on rather than just wonder about the why's, wherefores and ethics of whether a pen name is necessary.

[la dominatrix]

Originally Posted by netmanec

I'll be promoting affiliate programs in a niche for women. I'm a man. I have a good knowledge of the general topic but not in the specific niche I am going into. I'll be using good quality PLR articles for my giveaway product and using other people's articles, with proper attribution, for my promos.

I read in one of my Internet marketing courses that "you can't be an expert in everything"... "no one will believe you". The course recommended I use a pen-name and use a royalty free picture and a pen-identity (biography) for each niche if I want to promote in several distinct niches.

My intent is to do forum-marketing, article writing/re-writing and other content-based promotions. I have done lots of research over many years on the overall topic so I do know what I am talking about...but I'm not 'certified' on the topic. I've just been reading up on it and applying the knowledge to my life and helping people around me.

The reason I am asking for advice is because my kids found out what I was doing and they think it is "WRONG!". Kids have a more innocent understanding of life and often as adults we develop a warped sense of core values.

What do you think? Is it ethical to use a pen name? Is it ethical to use someone else's picture who I don't even know? The made-up name and picture will become quite famous by the time I am done with the promotions. What's your advice?

Many people use pen names for different resons and I do not intend to go into the ethical espects of that. However one thing I have noticed a lot over the years of reading about alternative medicines, natural hormonal balances and nutrition is the fact that there are a lot of men out there masquerading as women. It is glaringly obvious in maNy caes, don't know whether they are successful or not but it is often funny.

However I am sure that if you have the life experience to speak about different niches as a woman you will probably get away with it. Often when it is glaringly obvious they are youngsters who do not have the skills or experience and there lack of experience shows.

As to whether you should do it who knows but only you can answer whether or not you are comfortable doing it.
La dominatrix