Do you use your real name for your internet marketing business.

111 replies
Hi All,
I posted this two weeks ago on a thread that had already been around for a while and haven't gotten any response, so I am turning this into its own new thread as I would like to get people's input ...

I recently read in some sales letter about a regular Joe Schmo who made good in IM. And transformed from David deAngelo to Eban Pagan (recognized Top Tier Guru.).

So now, it has me wondering whether any of the names out there are the people's real names. Kern, Filsaime, Fladlien, Reese, Dyson ... - the list goes on. Are these all fake names?

It seems there are might be a few reasons to go with an alias if you are planning on having a very public name.
1) Privacy -- don't want crazies looking you in the phone book.
2) Branding - maybe you are in a variety of niches, and want to retain a persona that appears to be consistent
3) Empathy -- for lack of a better term, choosing a name/persona that you think people will identify with so their resistance to your sales pitch is lowered. (Actually, a very interesting WF discussion over at Using A Female Alias For Your Campaigns... on the question of the appropriateness of men using a female alias.)

I have not yet built up my IM empire , but in preparation for doing so, I'm trying to figure out whether I should start an alias.

For maximum stickiness, I would want to present myself as a real and genuine person rather than some disembodied email address. But I'm wondering whether I should choose to do so under a name different than my real name.

My main motivation for building an alias is privacy, and not just for the desire to retain a certain wall between a public figure and my personal life/family, but also, in my case, because I work a full time job and I just think it would be awkward for potential/future employers/colleagues to run across my name (remote possibility, but you never know) in this context (e.g. Google search turns up sales page) and wonder how I really spend my time.

Now, I wouldn't be switching gender or anything like that, and I might even pick a name that's not very different that my real name, as long as it is just different.

This name would go on a blog header, as blog post author, on articles posted to directories, even on sales pages - "from the desk of: [name]", so that in search engines it would all be consistent. Then of course, I can't forget things like auto-responders, etc. It just all seems very daunting.

It seems the body of people most comfortable with this idea are those who write articles, and for whom the usage of pen names is a long and taken-for-granted habit. However, what I'm talking about goes way beyond authoring articles to every other facet of the public-facing name. For example, if somebody pays me via PayPal, I don't recall whether PayPal will show my personal name (which of course to PayPal or anything related to legal or financial I would give my real name).

So, for anybody who's still reading this post (), what are your thoughts on all this? Do you use an alias? What has your experience been? Especially, if you retain a "day job" and you don't want the two to mix (at least until you are ready for it). Any advice you would give?


Thanks in advance for your input. Not that I've been overthinking it (:confused, but I want to make a decision and move on.
#business #internet #marketing #real
  • Profile picture of the author Vanessa Reece
    Well before I had the sex change I was call Harold....

    No seriously, only you can do what's right for you. In your instance of having a full time job I would say yes go for an alias if it makes you feel comfortable.

    I'm working with a client now who has an alias because of this one reason and they are comfortable with that and the way their site is styled makes it obvious it's not their real name anyway. It has worked in their specific niche before.

    I think you may be over thinking a little as you say but that's cool. We all do at some point I think. I know I have on some things.

    Vanessa (formally Harold :p)
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexandre Valois
      Originally Posted by ITS-V View Post

      Well before I had the sex change I was call Harold....

      No seriously, only you can do what's right for you. In your instance of having a full time job I would say yes go for an alias if it makes you feel comfortable.

      I'm working with a client now who has an alias because of this one reason and they are comfortable with that and the way their site is styled makes it obvious it's not their real name anyway. It has worked in their specific niche before.

      I think you may be over thinking a little as you say but that's cool. We all do at some point I think. I know I have on some things.

      Vanessa (formally Harold :p)
      HAH! Busted!! Real girls aren't real geeks, I knew it!
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    • Profile picture of the author E. Brian Rose
      Originally Posted by ITS-V View Post

      Well before I had the sex change I was call Harold....
      That is on my list of the top ten things you don't want to hear on your wedding night.
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      Founder of JVZoo. All around good guy :)

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      • Profile picture of the author Mufasa
        Well except for this Mufasa thing, I'm planning on using my real name. I actually got it LLC'd. Chris Carter is about as ubiquitous as it gets but I'm planning on having fun with it. We'll see.
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  • Profile picture of the author kiloh
    It's just like being a book author, you can choose to your real name or go with an alias. Really it comes down to preference. Are you looking for fame and want to be recognized? If so, use your real name, if you want to stay incognito and just make money, use an alias.
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  • Profile picture of the author Drewry_Media
    If you are on the internet marketing something there are many ways ppl can look up real names of internet marketers. Yes, I understand where you are coming from with this whole alias thing. I too love and need my privacy on a regular basis.

    If you are marketing articles, it's ok to pick any pen name. Heck, you can go with an alias, as no one has to know your real name. How about privatizing your domain registration. How cool would that be to shield your name from snoops!
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  • Profile picture of the author alcymart
    Real name all the time. It's not a catchy made up name but it's mine. I feel for a student with an obvious fake name on my messenger. What I see is a frightened paranoyed person or ashamed of his real name and weak, or to the limit uses fake names to hide criminal activities.

    Whatever it is, that's his problem. I use my real name everywhere anytime.

    Bernard St-Pierre and proud of my name...
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    • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
      Originally Posted by alcymart View Post

      Real name all the time. It's not a catchy made up name but it's mine. I feel for a student with an obvious fake name on my messenger. What I see is a frightened paranoyed person or ashamed of his real name and weak, or to the limit uses fake names to hide criminal activities.
      lmao.

      How incredibly assumptive of you. Maybe what you see in others, is actually what you dislike about yourself?..

      You should start offering betting tips :rolleyes:

      There is a whole host of famous authors, writers and publishers, who have used pen names...

      Do we automatically assume that they are frightened or paranoid?.. or even worse, criminal?

      Just Sayin'
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      Bare Murkage.........

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    • Profile picture of the author Manuelcrc
      Originally Posted by alcymart View Post

      Real name all the time. It's not a catchy made up name but it's mine. I feel for a student with an obvious fake name on my messenger. What I see is a frightened paranoyed person or ashamed of his real name and weak, or to the limit uses fake names to hide criminal activities.

      Whatever it is, that's his problem. I use my real name everywhere anytime.

      Bernard St-Pierre and proud of my name...
      You are definitely right. using pen names and aliases simply tells me the person is unsure of his abilities. i don't like it....
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  • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
    Pen names.

    I just find it easier to write in a niche, and really get involved in it, if I assign a pen name to it.

    Really feeling and knowing the niche is important to me, so I create a pen name for each.
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    Bare Murkage.........

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  • Profile picture of the author JanG
    I've been thinking a lot about this too, recently. I'm from Germany and my name is rather hard to pronounce or memorize for a native speaker of English, I think. So I'm just thinking about getting an easier name for marketing purposes. However, German laws force me to put up my real name in the "Contact me" section of web pages I'm creating, etc. which wouldn't make this approach very consistent. So I'm in a real dilemma here.

    Probably I will just go with my real name, as it's easier :-) Next question I'm thinking about is the pronunciation. When I'll be doing a webinar or a video I might have to say my name, e.g. "Hey, John Doe here, welcome bla bla..." When I'm pronouncing my name as it is really pronounced native speakers of English probably have a hard time reproducing the sounds. However, it is also weird to 'mispronounce' my real name I'll just have to come to a conclusion, I guess.
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    • Profile picture of the author tsgeric
      Originally Posted by ITS-V View Post

      No seriously, only you can do what's right for you. In your instance of having a full time job I would say yes go for an alias if it makes you feel comfortable.

      I'm working with a client now who has an alias because of this one reason and they are comfortable with that and the way their site is styled makes it obvious it's not their real name anyway. It has worked in their specific niche before.

      Vanessa (formally Harold :p)
      Yes, the biggest factor for me is in being able to have a choice as to how much I share with potential future managers in my day job. And, really, there is at least a third me, which is the one who maintains a blog in a different niche.

      I'd love to hear more about your client and what they're doing (and how) - especially the part about it being obvious that it's not their real name.

      Originally Posted by kiloh View Post

      It's just like being a book author, you can choose to your real name or go with an alias. Really it comes down to preference. Are you looking for fame and want to be recognized? If so, use your real name, if you want to stay incognito and just make money, use an alias.
      If it was just about pen names on articles, it would be an easy decision, but I'm just wondering in advance what it takes to carry off the whole persona.

      As to the second part, why choose -- find fame under the fake name


      Originally Posted by alcymart View Post

      Real name all the time. It's not a catchy made up name but it's mine. I feel for a student with an obvious fake name on my messenger. What I see is a frightened paranoyed person or ashamed of his real name and weak, or to the limit uses fake names to hide criminal activities.

      Whatever it is, that's his problem. I use my real name everywhere anytime.

      Bernard St-Pierre and proud of my name...
      Well, it's got nothing to do with being ashamed of my real name -- I think I listed my reasons in the first post -- and there's a strong tradition of doing so. But if you feel that way then I assume others do too.

      Originally Posted by JanG View Post

      I've been thinking a lot about this too, recently. I'm from Germany and my name is rather hard to pronounce or memorize for a native speaker of English, I think. So I'm just thinking about getting an easier name for marketing purposes. However, German laws force me to put up my real name in the "Contact me" section of web pages I'm creating, etc. which wouldn't make this approach very consistent. So I'm in a real dilemma here.

      Probably I will just go with my real name, as it's easier :-) Next question I'm thinking about is the pronunciation. When I'll be doing a webinar or a video I might have to say my name, e.g. "Hey, John Doe here, welcome bla bla..." When I'm pronouncing my name as it is really pronounced native speakers of English probably have a hard time reproducing the sounds. However, it is also weird to 'mispronounce' my real name I'll just have to come to a conclusion, I guess.
      If you can get an Americanized version of the more complicated name, I don't think it should be a problem to call yourself one (eg. Alex), and write down another in a contact form (e.g. Aleksa, Sacha).
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      • Profile picture of the author GerberDeLange
        Originally Posted by JanG View Post

        Next question I'm thinking about is the pronunciation. When I'll be doing a webinar or a video I might have to say my name, e.g. "Hey, John Doe here, welcome bla bla..." When I'm pronouncing my name as it is really pronounced native speakers of English probably have a hard time reproducing the sounds. However, it is also weird to 'mispronounce' my real name I'll just have to come to a conclusion, I guess.
        I have the same question for myself. I'm Dutch and my name might be hard to pronounce for native speakers of English also.

        Originally Posted by tsgeric View Post

        If you can get an Americanized version of the more complicated name, I don't think it should be a problem to call yourself one (eg. Alex), and write down another in a contact form (e.g. Aleksa, Sacha).
        My first name shouldn't be that hard to pronounce, but I think people in the US might begin to associate me with baby food...
        And calling myself Gerber the Long One or Gerber the Tall One (De Lange translated into English) looks a bit silly too.
        Have to think about a little longer. In the meantime I will just use my own name and see how that works out.
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        • Profile picture of the author paulie888
          Originally Posted by GerberDeLange View Post

          I have the same question for myself. I'm Dutch and my name might be hard to pronounce for native speakers of English also.


          My first name shouldn't be that hard to pronounce, but I think people in the US might begin to associate me with baby food...
          And calling myself Gerber the Long One or Gerber the Tall One (De Lange translated into English) looks a bit silly too.
          Have to think about a little longer. In the meantime I will just use my own name and see how that works out.
          I don't think your first name is that hard to pronounce at all, but as you have mentioned the only real danger is having people in the US associate you with baby food!

          I don't think it's a bad connotation though, and it could be somewhat humorous and memorable as a result of the baby food association.

          Paul
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    • Profile picture of the author ThePlan
      Originally Posted by JanG View Post

      I've been thinking a lot about this too, recently. I'm from Germany and my name is rather hard to pronounce or memorize for a native speaker of English, I think. So I'm just thinking about getting an easier name for marketing purposes. However, German laws force me to put up my real name in the "Contact me" section of web pages I'm creating, etc. which wouldn't make this approach very consistent. So I'm in a real dilemma here.

      Probably I will just go with my real name, as it's easier :-) Next question I'm thinking about is the pronunciation. When I'll be doing a webinar or a video I might have to say my name, e.g. "Hey, John Doe here, welcome bla bla..." When I'm pronouncing my name as it is really pronounced native speakers of English probably have a hard time reproducing the sounds. However, it is also weird to 'mispronounce' my real name I'll just have to come to a conclusion, I guess.
      Is that German law also applied even when your web server is located outside Germany? In some other countries (e.g. Korea), they have lots of ridiculous regulations but they don't (can't) enforce the law when the server is outside their territory even if the "owner" is still in the country.
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      • Profile picture of the author JanG
        Originally Posted by ThePlan View Post

        Is that German law also applied even when your web server is located outside Germany? In some other countries (e.g. Korea), they have lots of ridiculous regulations but they don't (can't) enforce the law when the server is outside their territory even if the "owner" is still in the country.
        Yes, I still have to abide German laws and put my real name on the website. Same goes for autoresponders. I can't even have a different name as the "From" name if the website contains any promotion. German law doesn't care where the website is hosted.

        I also thought of founding a US company to get around this limitation. However, me still sitting in Germany would make my home a branch office of that US company and I would still have to do what German laws say.

        I'm actually thinking about just doing it anyway and don't giving a **** about what they say. We have lawyers that do nothing else all day long but to go out searching and find out what websites don't have the necessare information on them and then they sue the owner. But the focus on German websites primarily. My websites are English, and with no contact info. German lawyers would think that this website is US/UK/AUS based whatever and don't pursue it any further, because this website wouldn't fall under his responsibility.
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  • Profile picture of the author Andrea Wilson
    I use an alias...and yes I dont want people searching for my name in the phone directory! My name was googled multiple times before and they kept on calling me by ,y real name whenever they mail me which seems so so personal and yet the mail does not concern business at all. Use an alias to keep your private life separate from your marketing venture.

    Andrea
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    • Profile picture of the author tsgeric
      Originally Posted by Andrea Wilson View Post

      I use an alias...and yes I dont want people searching for my name in the phone directory! My name was googled multiple times before and they kept on calling me by ,y real name whenever they mail me which seems so so personal and yet the mail does not concern business at all. Use an alias to keep your private life separate from your marketing venture.

      Andrea
      Hi Andrea, so just curious, the alias you use (don't know if Andrea is it or not), is that who your autoresponder messages come from? Is that the name people see when they do paypal transactions with you? etc?
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      • Profile picture of the author paulie888
        Originally Posted by tsgeric View Post

        Hi Andrea, so just curious, the alias you use (don't know if Andrea is it or not), is that who your autoresponder messages come from? Is that the name people see when they do paypal transactions with you? etc?
        I'd like to add to this - obviously you can have your autoresponder messages come from an email address that reflects your pen name, and you can even use the same email address for your paypal account, but one critical factor to bear in mind is that each paypal account you create needs to have a unique bank account in order to be verified, so this is something you want to consider carefully, especially if you're planning on entering multiple niches with different pen names.
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  • Profile picture of the author JasonTai
    I use my real name but after reading some of the points above I'm starting to wondering if I should
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  • Profile picture of the author Ben_R
    just focus on making your business good - think of all teh main businesses that have silly names

    even microsoft is wierd -- and apple - wtf ?

    and peoples names too do not really matter ---- keep in m ind if you have a really good business peopel will still buy from you -- ie apple or asus - silly names big sales -

    OR Actors alot of actors have v wired names - like dreyfuss - or others cant think of right now ya get the pictur though -
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  • Profile picture of the author AFI
    Of course, what have you got to hide? Me? Nothing. I'm an open book. Look me up.
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  • Profile picture of the author Will Perkins
    If your in this to make money, use your real name. While sure, people like Kelly Felix (The Rich Jerk) stayed in the shadows and made millions, even he realized you gotta come out eventually.

    I don't plan on sticking to IM for forever, gotta move on to larger and better things in the future. With a alias or pen name, that's not so easy to do...

    But I do understand peoples urge for privacy, although I personally enjoy shouting my name around. Makes me feel special
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    • Profile picture of the author Sunhae
      Hi there. I noticed your quote while reading this discussion and I like it cause it's so true! I'd ilke it even better if it said "Every winner is a loser first."
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  • Profile picture of the author ayomyde
    It all depends on your preference and aim, if you are aiming at being famous, you can use your name, but if you intend to be remembered as an authority in your chosen field, I think you can go with whatever name you are comfortable with.
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  • Profile picture of the author spearce000
    Using a fake name didn't do Eben Pagan (David DeAngelo) any harm.
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    • Profile picture of the author paulie888
      Originally Posted by spearce000 View Post

      Using a fake name didn't do Eben Pagan (David DeAngelo) any harm.
      Not at all, as a matter of fact he is so well-known as David DeAngelo at his DoubleYourDating sites that he still uses this pen name in his sales letters and videos to this very day!
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      • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
        Banned
        I use my real name here, in a couple of other forums, and for my little writing business (which does also make it easier to get paid, as commented above).

        In my affiliate marketing business, I've always had a different pen-name in each niche, which I use consistently for any/all niche-related activities, as so many marketers wisely do.

        My intention is obviously not to deceive anyone in a material way: I simply don't want people reading my articles and website about cauliflower soup recipes also reading my articles and website about home desalination technology and associating the two personas, just in case in their minds it detracts from my credibility as an expert on either subject.

        The suggestion above that this necessarily denotes someone "frightened, paranoid, ashamed or criminal" is, of course, completely ludicrous, and rightly ridiculed.
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    • Profile picture of the author dave braithwaite
      Id say its best to be honest ,if your in this for the long run why use a fake I..d. As said you will have to come out one day , making yoou look like you have been hiding something. You could loose trust.and we know thats bad for business.
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      • Profile picture of the author Alexandre Valois
        Originally Posted by dave braithwaite View Post

        Id say its best to be honest ,if your in this for the long run why use a fake I..d. As said you will have to come out one day , making yoou look like you have been hiding something. You could loose trust.and we know thats bad for business.
        I've never heard anyone boycott Stephen King for using a pen name. Nor have I ever encountered anyone who refused to do business with me because I've been using a pen name.

        Am I paranoid? Nope.

        But I can say I was glad I used pen names when I received death threats over a 150$ refund.

        Reading this thread I can already identify a bunch of people I would never want to do business with... and they're the ones pointing finger.

        Someone approached me for a JV the other day, but unfortunately he wasn't the right skin color. He was probably lazy, unreliable, or some kind of criminal. Bad blood, you know...
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  • Profile picture of the author ydsimple
    I use my real name only on social networks and article directories.
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  • Profile picture of the author JustinDupre
    I'm using my real name.. You have a points there but I think it's easier to build stronger trust with total honest.
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Every single name I use is both real and mine. With the exception of marketing and fishing, they just aren't the name I was born with...

      Like Alexa, I have a name I use in every niche I'm in. So, borrowing her example, if I had a site for cauliflower soup recipes under one name, I'd use the same name if I started a similar site for squash soup recipes.

      One of the advantages of using an alias for niche sites is that if you decide to sell the site, you can also simply sell the persona. It's not your mug plastered all over the site. (And in some cases, that's a good thing...)
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  • Profile picture of the author King Shiloh
    Banned
    I don't do internet marketing business so I don't know whether I should answer this question.

    I use the name that my parents and people around me have been calling me since I knew I'm a human being.

    Is it real? My parents know better than I do.
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  • Profile picture of the author werna klue
    I prefer to use my real name, but I don't think it really matters.

    In the end I think people are looking for value not what the persons name is - LOL
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    • Profile picture of the author oneplusone
      In my correspondence with other warriors, mods etc I use my real name (not oneplusone obviously)

      But off here, in most of the niches I sell in I use pen names.

      If you're selling or promoting high quality products/services, it doesn't matter whether you sell as A, B, C or D.

      I'd personally rather do business with someone using a pen name who is honest, than someone using their real name who is dishonest.

      J.K. Rowling is a pen name, Bernard Madoff is a real name.
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      'If you hear a voice within you say "you cannot paint," then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.' Vincent Van Gogh.
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      • Profile picture of the author Brian Alaway
        Pen names are perfectly fine and have added advantages if you decide to sell your business. Branding your business with your personal name can be problematic but if you're hugely successful, it can also have advantages - e.g. Trump Signature properties where the profit is in the name endorsement.
        You could always combine the use of first name with business, company or blog name (e.g. Brian @ nicheblog.com). That keeps it more personal but yet affords a degree of privacy.
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  • Profile picture of the author polrbearz
    Thank you for articulating what I believe is such an important and completely underrated issue for IM'ers and anyone who is thinking of having an active public face. I have been laying the groundwork for years now for doing some things online and I have to admit---this has been a definitely-inhibiting issue. It's one of those things that really should be done right.

    The people who have replied so far have been extremely helpful in my developing a view and strategy for all of this. I hope this thread stays extremely active and useful. Hopefully I will have something substantial to add at some point. One thing I am thinking of---there is a legal expert who promotes his service on WF---I don't remember his name offhand--who I would love to weigh in on this subject.

    I'm cool with pen names at this point although I might pick a niche or product to use my real name (or legal variation). Let's just say for instance that your real name is John Kenneth Rowling. You decide to go by the catchy name "JK Rowling" which still allows you to accept payments in your name but which also gives you a certain anonymity (JK Rowling can obviously refer to lots of different people ) I'm just having a little fun using this as an example but the principle could apply to virtually anyone who doesn't have an extremely rare last name. Even "J. Smith" is at least ever so slightly safer than "John Smith" even though it would probably be everyone's first guess.


    Originally Posted by tsgeric View Post

    Hi All,
    I posted this two weeks ago on a thread that had already been around for a while and haven't gotten any response, so I am turning this into its own new thread as I would like to get people's input ...

    I recently read in some sales letter about a regular Joe Schmo who made good in IM. And transformed from David deAngelo to Eban Pagan (recognized Top Tier Guru.).

    So now, it has me wondering whether any of the names out there are the people's real names. Kern, Filsaime, Fladlien, Reese, Dyson ... - the list goes on. Are these all fake names?

    It seems there are might be a few reasons to go with an alias if you are planning on having a very public name.
    1) Privacy -- don't want crazies looking you in the phone book.
    2) Branding - maybe you are in a variety of niches, and want to retain a persona that appears to be consistent
    3) Empathy -- for lack of a better term, choosing a name/persona that you think people will identify with so their resistance to your sales pitch is lowered. (Actually, a very interesting WF discussion over at Using A Female Alias For Your Campaigns... on the question of the appropriateness of men using a female alias.)

    I have not yet built up my IM empire , but in preparation for doing so, I'm trying to figure out whether I should start an alias.

    For maximum stickiness, I would want to present myself as a real and genuine person rather than some disembodied email address. But I'm wondering whether I should choose to do so under a name different than my real name.

    My main motivation for building an alias is privacy, and not just for the desire to retain a certain wall between a public figure and my personal life/family, but also, in my case, because I work a full time job and I just think it would be awkward for potential/future employers/colleagues to run across my name (remote possibility, but you never know) in this context (e.g. Google search turns up sales page) and wonder how I really spend my time.

    Now, I wouldn't be switching gender or anything like that, and I might even pick a name that's not very different that my real name, as long as it is just different.

    This name would go on a blog header, as blog post author, on articles posted to directories, even on sales pages - "from the desk of: [name]", so that in search engines it would all be consistent. Then of course, I can't forget things like auto-responders, etc. It just all seems very daunting.

    It seems the body of people most comfortable with this idea are those who write articles, and for whom the usage of pen names is a long and taken-for-granted habit. However, what I'm talking about goes way beyond authoring articles to every other facet of the public-facing name. For example, if somebody pays me via PayPal, I don't recall whether PayPal will show my personal name (which of course to PayPal or anything related to legal or financial I would give my real name).

    So, for anybody who's still reading this post (), what are your thoughts on all this? Do you use an alias? What has your experience been? Especially, if you retain a "day job" and you don't want the two to mix (at least until you are ready for it). Any advice you would give?


    Thanks in advance for your input. Not that I've been overthinking it (:confused, but I want to make a decision and move on.
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    • Profile picture of the author tsgeric
      Originally Posted by polrbearz View Post

      I have been laying the groundwork for years now for doing some things online and I have to admit---this has been a definitely-inhibiting issue. It's one of those things that really should be done right.
      I agree, add this to the list of the things to figure out *before* you get started if you have long-term plans.
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  • Profile picture of the author tishwash
    I personally use my real name. If you use a fake name, are you going to use a fake picture too? Where will the fakeness end?
    I think people that use fake names plan on ripping people off.
    I understand there are times when people will use a "pen name" or a "stage name" but why hide? Just my opinion.
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    • Profile picture of the author polrbearz
      Originally Posted by tishwash View Post

      I personally use my real name. If you use a fake name, are you going to use a fake picture too? Where will the fakeness end?
      I think people that use fake names plan on ripping people off.
      I understand there are times when people will use a "pen name" or a "stage name" but why hide? Just my opinion.
      I believe that earlier posters on this thread clearly outline the reasons one might want to use a fake name:

      1) To establish a comfortable limit separating your public and private life--this might save both yourself and your family considerable discomfort and distraction

      2) To establish special "branding" for a given niche without diluting credibility--they don't see you in another niche

      3) To help clearly organize your efforts in a given niche---a good conceptual organizing tool

      You might want read the very thoughtful posts on this thread that develop these reasons in more detail. Your question actually just repeated a much earlier question, which I believe has been answered pretty directly.

      My feeling is that some people just have a visceral or instinctive preference for doing everything as themselves. And that's OK--I know some (usually pretty loud ) people in my own life that are " puttin' it out there" all the time. Most of them are pretty good people who mean well, too. But---these same people end up getting bogged down in more controversy and distracting gossip. I've also noticed that these folks are experiencing identity theft more often. Food for thought. High IQ's and experience tend to point people in the direction of aliases, all other things being equal

      As an earlier poster said, Stephen King established a great "brand" by writing in his genre under an alias. He wasn't trying to "rip people off"---he was just doing a creative diversification.

      I will try not to judge people who can't see the value of this approach. Hopefully they can also respect the opinion of those of us who do ? I realize that this is the Era of Facebook where there's this assumption that everyone is an Open Book. That just sounds like some kind of stifling herd mentality, Least Common Denominator thinking that I for one instinctively resist.
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      • Profile picture of the author Brian Mullis
        I always use my real name in the IM niche. I also use my real name in the insurance (and insurance agent) industry. That's the only way to do it in that type of business.

        In other niches, I use pen names.

        Brian
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      • Profile picture of the author myob
        My real name is Padurrruirhdfsdksfyfsdfsdhsdfashsdkshquset Ukjashffjkdhfjkfsdghfjryjdhsurtueswesdjssjasld. Hard to pronounce in any language, so I shortened it for marketing purposes.
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      • Profile picture of the author sbeard
        My short answer is yes I have always used my own name. I've been on the internet since 98 and it never occurred to me back when I started, that there might be reasons not to.

        By the way, did you know that Google has an alias tool. They're happy to set you up with a new name in nano seconds!

        But before you pick an alias for yourself, have a bit of fun by Googling your own name. If you think you're the first coming and one and only one to ever have your name, you may find you have a bunch of clones running around the world using your name. In my case, there's 277,000 references to my name including a famous SciFi writer in England, who's taken our name to great hights, and 25 very talented clones listed at Linkedn, but there also some guy trying to buy a pickup truck. And thats just on the first page of Google.

        My point is that all these good folks are doing their own thing in their own way and we never trip over each other. The internet is just too big a place and I see no reason to complicate it with an alias. Besides, its going to be real hard to pick an alias that doesn't belong to a real person.

        Use your name, made it your brand, and go for it.
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        • Profile picture of the author polrbearz
          Originally Posted by sbeard View Post

          My short answer is yes I have always used my own name. I've been on the internet since 98 and it never occurred to me back when I started, that there might be reasons not to.

          By the way, did you know that Google has an alias tool. They're happy to set you up with a new name in nano seconds!

          But before you pick an alias for yourself, have a bit of fun by Googling your own name. If you think you're the first coming and one and only one to ever have your name, you may find you have a bunch of clones running around the world using your name. In my case, there's 277,000 references to my name including a famous SciFi writer in England, who's taken our name to great hights, and 25 very talented clones listed at Linkedn, but there also some guy trying to buy a pickup truck. And thats just on the first page of Google.

          My point is that all these good folks are doing their own thing in their own way and we never trip over each other. The internet is just too big a place and I see no reason to complicate it with an alias. Besides, its going to be real hard to pick an alias that doesn't belong to a real person.

          Use your name, made it your brand, and go for it.
          Sbeard:

          Those are very useful thoughts. Thank you. While I may not agree with your conclusion that aliases are not useful (at least in some instances) , I do appreciate the perspectives you offer. Food for thought. You have enriched the dialogue on a subject that is very important--certainly to me.

          I still find myself particularly concerned about privacy/stalking/harassment issues. And ID theft. Let's say one of us "makes it big" in IM. Using public information in creative ways, it is increasingly possible to "target" such a person--developing a real-time algorithm to figure out when they're home, for instance. If Mr. Thief knows that Joe Superstar is a speaker at an upcoming IM conference, he can stake out Joe's home and strike while he's away. And that's just a simple, obvious example. Interconnected databases are rapidly creating new ways to target people for all kinds of reasons. Does an alias prevent all of this ? Of course not. But in my view, the bad guys are more likely to go after the "softest" targets--the low-hanging fruit. So some layer of misdirection would seem to be useful at least.
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    • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
      Banned
      Originally Posted by tishwash View Post

      I think people that use fake names plan on ripping people off.
      I think people that believe people who use fakes names to rip people off would be the first to rip people off.

      Now - do you see how utterly ridiculous your statement is? :-)

      Cheers. - Frank
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  • I Prefer to use aliases for personal security reasons.... As a matter of fact I use nicknames related to my niche....
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  • Profile picture of the author QueenBeeSEO
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    • Profile picture of the author mlmblonde
      No I don't. Back when I was brand new online years ago, people told me to "pick a screen name" to use. I think most people had names back then. I couldn't find ANYTHING I could think of not taken, so I made up MLMBLONDE. Every place I went onine over the years, I used that name, and so it sort of became my online name by accident.

      My real name is Diane Walker. There are thousands of Diane Walkers online so mlmblonde was better to use online.
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    • Profile picture of the author Silas Hart
      No, but I used to. Now companies I do actual marketing for don't even know my real name.

      I used to until the college I attended called me up and said companies over seas were calling them often and asking to verify my degree but didn't have my social security number. Turns out that saying I had a degree in _______ and I graduated from ______ on my Facebook wasn't such a good idea. Same thing could happen with Internet Marketing as well. Because I have a really common name, it was more likely to happen. So, be careful if your name is James Smith or something.
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      • Profile picture of the author polrbearz
        Fajeeb:

        This is a GREAT example of the sort of thing we can't even anticipate that might result from our using our actual name. Thanks for sharing your experience.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sarah Bosen
    I use my real name always, for me it works as a writer.
    But in your case you may feel more comfortable with an alias.
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  • Profile picture of the author robzeeb
    I use my own name on a couple of sites but Pen Names on certain niches. You can't appear to know about every subject so the pen names preserve the credibility of my real name.
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    • Profile picture of the author charlesgosu
      you can use your real name if have nothing to hide and your ok with your publicity.. using fake name doesnt hurt though
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    • Profile picture of the author It Should Be Easy
      I think you should go with your real name. It will always look more solid when people look you up and as long as you have nothing to hide it is the only way I would ever go.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ryan Even
    I use my real name in the internet marketing niche. However, I generally create a pen name for each of the other niches I'm in. I started using pen names when a "stalker" in one of my niches starting sending things to my personal home.
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    • Profile picture of the author Shannon Herod
      I use my real name in the make money niche and the personal development niche.

      However, in the personal development niche most of my products are under a pen name. I am however going to rebrand the entire business in my name.

      The reason being is I consider my future to be in the personal development niche.

      Talk soon,

      Shannon
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      • Profile picture of the author Shannon Herod
        In regards to taking payments, all payments are made to my business.

        My businessman then pays me.

        Talk Soon,

        Shannon
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  • Profile picture of the author jackcanbera
    Won't people be able to see that it's the same person?
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  • Profile picture of the author johnyeo90
    I used pen name all the time so that people will remember my name easier!
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Jordan
    I used to until someone told me to use an alias for personal security reasons.
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  • Profile picture of the author TobyAletha
    I'm using an alias, besides I use some pen names and for my personal security and for myself...I'm writing articles on various themes and every theme has its own author )))
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  • Profile picture of the author darkwizgemz
    Nope, I used my alias instead. Anyways thanks for sharing.
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  • Profile picture of the author KatieWilliams
    I don't use a pen name -- this is my real name, it's a common one so it's not like I'm THE Eben Pagan, for example.

    My philosophy is one of having real transparency; I see my business and online ventures as part of who I am and don't need to hide any part of my life from the other parts. So, my personal FB page has clients/customers/affiliates on as well as real life friends and relatives.

    *I'm comfortable with this*

    (I'm also in a fortunate position of having been self-employed since I was 21, so I don't have any employers or colleagues looking over my shoulder checking what I'm up to.. I totally understand how those people who are doing this part-time around a job wouldn't want to get caught out.)

    I don't really care whether someone is using a Pen Name or not, but I wouldn't like to think I was being lied to about other things (an imagined family or home situation used as back story etc). I know of one very successful EZA author working within a female niche who goes by a female identity but is very definitely all man - that leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

    Katie
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  • Profile picture of the author kharlhoffman
    In my own opinion it's very important to use your real name so that your clients or buyers will really trust you and that is one of the requirements to establish rapport to client.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nathy Curiel
    I always use my real name. I have nothing to hidden and it's a part of name branding.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sharon Lai
    Yes i use my real name. I just think it's up to you whether you want to put your real name or not.
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  • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
    I use my real name... but it wasn't always my real name.

    For the first decade or so that I was online, it was just an unofficial alias. Then I registered it as a legal DBA, so I could legitimately use it in business. And about fifteen years later, I went and got the legal name change.

    You have every right to use whatever name you like online. It doesn't make you paranoid. It doesn't make you a criminal. But unfortunately, Bernard's prejudice about "fake" names is pervasive - especially in the banking industry. Only freaks and criminals have aliases. So using an alias, while perfectly legitimate, will often carry some stigma along with it... and you may want to give some serious thought to whether your business can live with that.
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    • Profile picture of the author kindsvater
      I was asked to provide my thoughts on this thread. While I can't speak about German law, anonymity in speech is a bedrock of American 1st Amendment Rights.

      Think of the Federalist Papers written by "Publius" - some of the most important documents in US history.

      Personally, given the nature of the Internet, in some situations one would be a fool to use their personal name and address online.

      Unless fraud is involved, or one is impersonating another person, it really isn't an issue.

      Samuel Clemens is Mark Twain

      Stephen King is Richard Bachman

      Anonymous has a new book about the Obama administration.

      Irwin F. Kern IV is Frank Kern

      Marshall Bruce Mathers III is Eminem is Slim Shady

      I have articles and websites under different names. Typically I will 'Google' the alias to see if it is being used before using it.
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      • Profile picture of the author Ken Er
        Yeah, I use my name Ken Er.
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      • Profile picture of the author polrbearz
        Originally Posted by kindsvater View Post

        I was asked to provide my thoughts on this thread. While I can't speak about German law, anonymity in speech is a bedrock of American 1st Amendment Rights.

        Think of the Federalist Papers written by "Publius" - some of the most important documents in US history.

        Personally, given the nature of the Internet, in some situations one would be a fool to use their personal name and address online.

        Unless fraud is involved, or one is impersonating another person, it really isn't an issue.

        Samuel Clemens is Mark Twain

        Stephen King is Richard Bachman

        Anonymous has a new book about the Obama administration.

        Irwin F. Kern IV is Frank Kern

        Marshall Bruce Mathers III is Eminem is Slim Shady

        I have articles and websites under different names. Typically I will 'Google' the alias to see if it is being used before using it.
        Kindsvater:

        Thank you so much for weighing in on this subject---I believe that you are first attorney to do so. You definitely added a valuable perspective. I especially enjoyed the historical and constitutional basis for anonymity.

        polrbearz
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  • Profile picture of the author GeorgR.
    Mostly.

    Although i have sites specific to women's issues where i use a female handle in articles.

    As for the silly German law..i dont care (anymore) since i moved to southern spain, furthermore i dont waste my time trying to market to Germans since this market is extremely difficult.

    The main problem here is actually that IF you dont have a proper site containing your name/address/phone etc. ...there is lawyers who do nothing else than scouring the web and looking for sites where those elements are missing. BIG fees for anyone who DARES not to have his full name/address on a site.

    Its ironic since otherwise Germans are EXTREMELY paranoid when it comes to privacy.
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  • Profile picture of the author LauraJames
    I use my real name for business purposes. My personal information, such as a home telephone number and address, are not listed in my local telephone directory. I try to maintain a high level of personal privacy whenever possible, such as not revealing my Social Insurance Number. When it comes to business, however, it is easier to use my real name. There are enough bases to cover properly without adding this issue to the mix.
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  • Profile picture of the author Merle Hans
    Privacy is somewhat a personal and personal matters requires for consideration for personal gain....as for me....I always consider the welfare of my privacy, as I value it so much, and the impact it will bring on my business.....so personal matters I maintain my provacy but for business matters, I am as transparent as a glass....
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  • Profile picture of the author robvegas626
    Do not use your real name. There is no benefit. I have been running successful websites and magazines for a long time, and there are a lot of mentally unstable and just plain weird people out there. If you become big, you will have people looking you up and wanting to communicate with you for all sorts of inappropriate reasons. If you intend to stay small and local, then sure, use your real name.
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  • Profile picture of the author Monja
    i´d also say - use your real name. in the end you want to maybe do real business with real people. the internet is so anonymous, imagine you build up a good amount of followers and all of a sudden people realize for what reason ever that you are not who you said you are. i know i would immediately run away.
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  • Profile picture of the author neodarth
    To me real names becomes relevant depending on what you want to market, your product or yourself... but that's just me...
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  • Profile picture of the author Sarah Russell
    Sarah is real, Russell isn't - I started out with a pen name because my maiden name is ridiculously complicated and very unique, which would have made it very easy to track me down in real life (more of a concern when I was first getting started than it is now).

    But now I like it and it isn't worth the effort to change it. Although with my married name, it is a little mroe confusing to have three distinct identities
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  • Profile picture of the author Rikki_Fawkes
    Nope.

    And considering some of the comments I've gotten on my Youtube vids (some of which promote products I'm selling or link to sites I own) I'm perfectly happy with that choice. Lots of attention-hungry wackos out there.
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    • Profile picture of the author gunner1945
      You might want to change your name depending on the niche.

      E N Ron = Financial adviser, maybe not.

      How To Get Your Ex back by U Killherman :rolleyes:


      Well, you get the picture
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      • Profile picture of the author polrbearz
        For you guys who have used pen names or are thinking about using them--I assume that, for payment purposes, when you use a processor like PayPal (for your own products) that the key thing is to have that Paypal business account set up in such a way that your real identity is not revealed ? All of your pen names could use that account---although a close observer could eventually notice that. I only have a personal account so far and the payee is listed as my actual name.

        I suppose I should just check PayPal's rules and TOS for that.

        If all of your income is from affiliate links, it should be even easier. Your links only show your affiliate username at most. Even that can (and should) be cloaked.
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        • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
          Originally Posted by polrbearz View Post

          For you guys who have used pen names or are thinking about using them--I assume that, for payment purposes, when you use a processor like PayPal (for your own products) that the key thing is to have that Paypal business account set up in such a way that your real identity is not revealed ? All of your pen names could use that account---although a close observer could eventually notice that. I only have a personal account so far and the payee is listed as my actual name.

          I suppose I should just check PayPal's rules and TOS for that.

          If all of your income is from affiliate links, it should be even easier. Your links only show your affiliate username at most. Even that can (and should) be cloaked.
          Since you are allowed to have two Paypal accounts (1 business, 1 personal), I have the business account set up using an innocuous-sounding name that could be some kind of web services company.

          On top of that, if you look closely, you can verify multiple email addresses for the account. In theory, each pen name could be assigned its own payee email. I haven't bothered to do this, but the option is there if you can set up and verify email accounts for your pen names.
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        • Profile picture of the author TrekkieGrrrl
          I use pen names.

          Why? Because there are lots of crazies online, and my niche is one that gets me lots of fans, but also some people go a little overboard.

          There have been several times when someone has said, "Hey, I tried to google your name and couldn't find your hometown. Where do you live?"

          Those are the moments when I thank the Bajoran Prophets that I had sense enough to use a pen name.
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  • Profile picture of the author notionphil
    In my line of work (b2b software) i have no choice but to use my real name. I end up meeting clients on the phone and or in person....I'd have to have fake business cards and so on. however, outside of my main niche, i may start adopting an alias after reading this thread!
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    • Profile picture of the author polrbearz
      John:

      Thanks so much for a very useful answer. I should certainly be able to figure this out from here. I have a tendency to let supportive details hold me back on my ideas. I have a feeling that I am almost past the "identity" issues.

      TrekkieGrrrrl--it's good to see you as well on this thread. I enjoyed your contribution to the Sig File discussion.
      You must be doing something right---we started about the same time-but you're way ahead on "Thanks"
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  • Profile picture of the author michael scott
    never. Unless I decide to brand myself as a "guru", then it's a different story.
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  • Profile picture of the author pizzatherapy
    When I first started in Internet Marketing, I used pizzatherapy. It is my main website, and I thought it was good for branding.
    I use my own name more and more now.

    But the pizzatherapy branding has kind of taken on a life of its own.

    So I use both...
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  • Profile picture of the author Rose Anderson
    I use my own name for my writing business. I try to emphasize that I do my own writing and never outsource, etc. So it seemed important to build a reputation with my real name.

    However, when I write my novel of adult erotica I'll probably use a pen name. (If only I had the time and imagination!)
    rose
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    • Profile picture of the author TrekkieGrrrl
      Originally Posted by Rose Anderson View Post

      However, when I write my novel of adult erotica I'll probably use a pen name. (If only I had the time and imagination!)
      rose
      I want a link when you're done. I'll buy it. (And you can get started by using a blog. It's great to get a following and to build your reader base. Plus it doesn't take as much time.)
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  • Profile picture of the author Backlinkcheaper
    Originally Posted by tsgeric View Post

    ....
    It seems there are might be a few reasons to go with an alias if you are planning on having a very public name.
    1) Privacy -- don't want crazies looking you in the phone book.
    2) Branding - maybe you are in a variety of niches, and want to retain a persona that appears to be consistent
    3) Empathy -- for lack of a better term, choosing a name/persona that you think people will identify with so their resistance to your sales pitch is lowered. (Actually, a very interesting WF discussion over at Using A Female Alias For Your Campaigns... on the question of the appropriateness of men using a female alias.).....
    Seems to be a topical debate elsewhere at the moment as speculation rises about facebook entering the blog commenting game very very soon apparently. FB say you have to use your real name, but will they try and enforce that when commenting?

    There are many many reasons why a lot of folk won't use their real name when generally doing IM. For starters, 'Link Anchors' are more powerful when using your niche keyowrds as opposed to your name. Secondly, there are people in every nook and cranny who would love to know who in reality their niche competitors are. Not everybody for the friendly reason of sending a sporting birthday card. Thirdly, you touched upon employment.. How many budding IM 'ers are actually working from their PC at work during lunchtime, slack time or even while they are supposed to be working! It wouldn't take long in some circumstances for some brain ache in the IT department trolling through server logs looking for errors to see real names popping up visiting sites that are obviously not work related. Then of course there is the very real, albeit slight possibility that you might just upset somebody enough for them to really want to find you. From a 'name' the privacy hacking search engines and data gatherers (you already know who is the biggest), will be able to stick a name on your house in some underground version of street view. Or of course, just like Google accidentally gathered people wireless data and a whole bunch of passwords while gathering data for streetview in the UK, perhaps a different accident will reveal your name, on your house, on some public map along with details of your websites. Fine if that's what you want. No good if its not.

    Annonymity is not just a right, it's an obvious necessity of dealing across the worldwide web where not everybody is who they say they are. For example,, from My username here, can you tell if I'm male or female, black or white, young, old, ugly,,? You get my drift. For the purposes of this forum I might want to be,,, 67 years old, bald, fat, wheezing consistently, eyes glazed with constant muck, hair growing from my nose and ears and a rather rank smell eminating consistently from my backside. Not a pretty picture, but perhaps better for me than, young tart with pert tits and long blonde hair. Granted being the young tart would probably get more business.

    When you drive down the high street of your town. You don't see the 'owners honest credentials' plastered all over the shops and restaurants. you see what the owners 'want' you to see. The internet is not much different when it comes to how people 'perceive' your business or even your self.

    Even if people like facebook 'try' to make people use their real names, there will always be a work around until the day all computers have biometric scanners locking folk into their identity. That day, I hope, will never happen.

    One more thing... Many of us represent many different interests. Some of us have clients, some have lots of niches products, some have multiple businesses, some usernames are shared among groups of people or might represent a business. It's always good business sense to represent your immediate agenda with a username, persona, skill set that matches what you are looking to achieve if indeed you want to others to read into that. On the otherhand, if you just want to stay secret, quiet, humble, you can always stick up a nice cuddly avatar and have a cute username that people automatically dismiss in from their mind as 'not important'. it's your call...
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    • Profile picture of the author polrbearz
      Welcome to the Forum ! I just read your post---loved it--and am proud to offer your first "Thanks"

      What a great way to come out of the gate ! That's one of the most intelligent posts I've seen in a while. The fact that this subject is so important to me probably sharpens my appetite for really good insights. Well done.

      I laugh when I see posts by people whose answer to this very important issue is something like " I don't have anything to hide !" or "I'm proud to use my real name" or even "I think someone who doesn't use their real name plans to rip people off" These folks obviously haven't even BEGUN to realize the depth of issues involved in this question. Issues that you have addressed so well in your post.

      Thanks again for weighing in on this important subject. I will keep my eyes open for you on WF!
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      • Profile picture of the author polrbearz
        I meant to add---my glowing comments were for "Backlinkcheaper"

        It would have helped to quote part of his post so that people would know who I was talking about :rolleyes:

        Pay attention to what this person says ! They may save you all kinds of trouble in the future. I know that I am taking it to heart.
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  • Profile picture of the author craiganderson
    If you think you need to remain anonymous for future employment then by all means go with an alias. But I also think that if you are serious about being successful with "Internet Marketing" you should focus on that and maybe you wouldn't have to worry about another job.
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  • Profile picture of the author poWderKeg
    Unless you have something to hide, I don't see why you couldn't use your own name.
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    • Profile picture of the author polrbearz
      If you're looking for reasons, look no further than a few minutes and boxes below---post #94 by Backlinkcheaper. That should give you some possibilities to chew on
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  • Profile picture of the author jamjar919
    I use my real name for most marketing, however someimes I like to not disclose my age so people have a sense of security. I will however, reveal my age when asked about it. I make sure the only information I give out is -

    Name: James Paterson
    Picture
    Country: UK
    Signature

    Feel free to ask me any IM related questions or add me on skype :D
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  • Profile picture of the author Alex Copeland
    I use my real name for anything Internet Marketing related and then a pen name for all the other niches I am in.

    I think it can confuse people if they see your name as a make money online, tomato growing, party planning, dog training expert.... but that's just me!
    Signature

    Unleash Your Awesome - Pocket Ace Promotion

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  • Profile picture of the author daysinthenorth
    I don't use my first name neither do I use an alias. I use my middle with my last name, I don't know why but I just feel more comfortable with using it and yes I do love my first name.
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  • Profile picture of the author henryw1981
    I would suggest you use your real name for credibility. If a prospect finds out you are using a fake name they will run as fast as they can and never trust you again. Online reputation is extremely important and if something like this shows up on the web about you it will be very hard to recover.
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    • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
      Banned
      Originally Posted by henryw1981 View Post

      I would suggest you use your real name for credibility. If a prospect finds out you are using a fake name they will run as fast as they can and never trust you again. Online reputation is extremely important and if something like this shows up on the web about you it will be very hard to recover.
      That's simply total nonsense and while it may be your personal opinion, it is not based on fact. I'm always amazed by such declarative statements, based solely on supposition.

      I use a total of 5 names for various projects, yet my reputation remains intact. Unless one's goal is to use an alias as a way to scam others, there is absolutely no harm in using one or more and there are certain advantages to doing so.

      While it may not be something you would do, and that's fine, some of the top players in IM do so, without harming their operation or reputation. It all has to do with 'intent.'

      Cheers. - Frank
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      Originally Posted by henryw1981 View Post

      I would suggest you use your real name for credibility. If a prospect finds out you are using a fake name they will run as fast as they can and never trust you again. Online reputation is extremely important and if something like this shows up on the web about you it will be very hard to recover.
      So, what? You've never heard of a pseudonym? Very successful authors use them quite often and there is nothing wrong with it at all. Here are a few examples. Recognize any of them?

      Agatha Christie: Mary Westmacott

      Benjamin Franklin: Mrs. Silence Dogood

      Washington Irving: Jonathan Oldstyle, Diedrich Knickerbocker and Geoffrey Crayon

      Stephen King: Richard Bachman

      C.S. Lewis: Clive Hamilton and N.W. Clerk

      Isaac Asimov: Paul French

      Michael Crichton: John Lange, Jeffery Hudson and Michael Douglas

      J.K. Rowling: Robert Galbraith



      Mark Twain grew up as Samuel Langhorne Clemens and Theodor Seuss Geisel was the name on the birth certificate of Dr. Seuss.

      Many actors and actresses use them as well.

      They're not crooks and scammers.

      Why would using a pseudonym be any different in business?


      Terra
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  • Profile picture of the author Alayna S
    When I first started online I felt really shy and uncomfortable about using my real name. I was concerned about drawing attention to myself, security issues and besides it wasn't the easiest to pronounce. I actually changed my name (legally) about 18 mths ago and since then I've used my real name. I decided if I was going 'brand myself' and expect people to trust me then I needed to be real. Similar to what Justin Dupre said - I prefer to have total honesty with prospects.
    As for the not liking attention bit, well gee - I got over myself and thought - I'm in business aren't I? I need people to pay attention to me :-) So personal preference really. If I was more than a newbie and had lots of different niches I may use aliases or 'some form' of my name.
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    • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Alayna S View Post

      I prefer to have total honesty with prospects.
      There is absolutely nothing inherently dishonest in using an alias, especially in online dealings, unless of course your intent is to be dishonest.

      Cheers. - Frank
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  • Profile picture of the author nesito29
    I personally use my real name, I think is easier to build complete trust with complete honesty.
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    • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
      Banned
      Originally Posted by nesito29 View Post

      I personally use my real name, I think is easier to build complete trust with complete honesty.
      Really. And just how does anyone know that you are using your real name? Do you show them your birth certificate? lol

      Ridiculous post!

      Cheers. - Frank
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  • Profile picture of the author Matt N
    Just use the short form of your real name for your first name and your surname can be one that's spelt backwards?
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    • Profile picture of the author Barry Unruh
      Originally Posted by Matt N View Post

      Just use the short form of your real name for your first name and your surname can be one that's spelt backwards?
      So..by that theory my new name should be: Bar Hurnu

      I don't think so.
      Signature
      Brain Drained...Signature Coming Soon!
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  • Profile picture of the author Andre Slater
    I have used pen name in the past, but now these day It's about engagement and connection. People buy from people they know, like, and trust.

    If you are you it goes further with people.

    David Dangelo may have been a character but it was a person there and a way for people to connect with that person, it may have not been his real name, but it was a person in that slot.

    I guess it's like an Actor you know that that is not truly them, but you can connect with their character.

    Using pen name you can only do so much if your not involving yourself.

    You can buy some stock photos of some random person from iStock but you won' be able to make a video or go any further unless you have an actor playing the role.
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  • Profile picture of the author divinespirit
    I think is Best to use your real name, I find that I get to trust someone when they are real down to earth person who has nothing to hide.
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  • Profile picture of the author Fantasticant
    That's a really good question, and one I hear a lot.

    I would say that success in this industry happens most easily when you are truly being yourself, and when this comes across to those who you are selling to. My decision in this context was to be me, and to build this brand online for products and services that relied on me as the main feature of the product - training products for example.

    I can see why privacy might be a concern, and only you can answer this - you need to choose whatever makes you comfortable. Whatever decision you make, communicate as much of your personality as you can in what you do. This personal branding is increasingly the differentiator between you and others doing similar things in a crowded marketplace.
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