Shame about the name

13 years ago

Well, this is my name but its the "hgfy125" type names that seem a bit weird.

Oh and when the names something like "how to stop your dog peeing on the carpet" and the signature, oddly enough, has the same anchor text.

Having said that, what people put as there name and there's quite a few here who I count as friends that don't use their real names and use something else instead, is entirely there choice and perhaps, none of my business.

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IdeaViator 13 years ago

That's the beauty of the Internet.

One can be anonymous if he wants and he has full rights to stay anonymous as long he wants.

I agree that some names sounds ridiculously but one more time, beauty of the Internet.

In my opinion this forum is 'by marketers for marketers' so it's not mainly to promote our business to others, but to learn, find like-minded people and have a nice professional chit-chat.
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tpw

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Richard Van

Well, this is my name but its the "hgfy125" type names that seem a bit weird.

Oh and when the names something like "how to stop your dog peeing on the carpet" and the signature, oddly enough, has the same anchor text.

Having said that, what people put as there name and there's quite a few here who I count as friends that don't use their real names and use something else instead, is entirely there choice and perhaps, none of my business.

LOL Richard...

My dog is house-trained, but if someone can train my wife not to piss herself laughing when she gets excited, I would not worry about making her laugh after we go to bed at night.

Unfortunately, the only branding I have done for myself in the forum is convincing people that I am little more than a prankster...

I cannot imagine how such things like that have come to pass...

-- The Prince of Wells

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hilarious89

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Neil Morgan

There was a time on the WF when many people used their own name and some even put up an image of themselves as their avatar. Heck, people even started asking the support desk to change their forum name to their real name.

But now the norm for forum names seems to be something like "GetABigPileOfCashToday" with no other clue as to identity or even location.

It just makes me think there is something being hidden which seems a strange way to present a business to people who, after all, are potential customers.

Anyway, back to the madness.

Cheers,

Neil

Members of the forum should use their own name, I agree on this statement. But now-a-days people doing SEO using forums, so they need more than one account; you also know that.

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Dan C. Rinnert 13 years ago

Originally Posted by hilarious89

Members of the forum should use their own name, I agree on this statement.

Ironic.

But now-a-days people doing SEO using forums, so they need more than one account; you also know that.

Maybe people should use forums to learn, share and make connections, rather than to build backlinks. After all, that was the initial and primary purpose for discussion forums.
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sbucciarel

Banned 13 years ago

Originally Posted by hilarious89

Members of the forum should use their own name, I agree on this statement. But now-a-days people doing SEO using forums, so they need more than one account; you also know that.

I believe it is against WF TOS to have more than one account and can get you banned as soon as they discover them.

As for members using this name or that name. It's really their business what name they use and what avatar they use. Some use their own names, some use their business names, and some use whatever names.

I tend to distrust names like CaO3453. Most people here probably do as well. But I don't distrust people that have built up reputations on their aliases and have posted valuable content for a good amount of time.

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joymarino

13 years ago

I use my name for EVERYTHING. I am my brand. My businesses are the tools that I use to work from home, but people join people, not businesses. Therefore, here I AM.

I also noticed those that don't use their names, don't sign their comments or PMs either. That bothers me...oh well. Blessings, Joy

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Themeplated

13 years ago

Fair points made. But what if your brand isn't your name, such as in our case?

Or are you talking specifically about those whom have names, which as you mentioned, "give no clue to identity"?

.

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Neil Morgan

13 years ago

People are here to ask questions, network, give advice, right?

Where does branding come into that?

I have a well-known brand but that doesn't mean it becomes my forum name.

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Clyde

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Neil Morgan

People are here to ask questions, network, give advice, right?

Where does branding come into that?

I have a well-known brand but that doesn't mean it becomes my forum name.

Just because somebody doesn't use their real name as their usernames doesn't mean they're any less trustful than you. A lot of people use pseudo-names. Think Snoop-Dogg, 50 Cent, Eminem.

I saw a user here with the username "Donald Trump" the other day. Does that automatically entitles him to "trust"? If so, all a scammer has to do is register with a "proper" name.

Besides that, not everybody here can fit their names in the Username field. I for one has 6 words in my name.

p/s: If you don't want to promote your brand that's fine by me, but please don't judge us for it.

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oneplusone

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Neil Morgan

People are here to ask questions, network, give advice, right?

Where does branding come into that?

I have a well-known brand but that doesn't mean it becomes my forum name.

Well not everyone's here to milk the forum, I've been here for over 4 years and it's been more about learning and contributing.

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Neil Morgan

13 years ago

Just because somebody doesn't use their real name as their usernames doesn't mean they're any less trustful than you.

True, but business is often more about perception than reality.

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Bradley J Anderson 13 years ago

Originally Posted by Neil Morgan

True, but business is often more about perception than reality.

My biggest selling product ever was one I created under an obvious pseudonym. Wasn't even a name. Not everyone 'perceives' things in the same way as you.
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Winlin 13 years ago

Every once in a while we see someone gets a barb up there "privates" and has to start this thread. "Yawn"

and I think we can all agree that a proper name and photo can be fabricated. You can just as easily post a photo and a pen name that represent a fictitious persona as the real deal.

I suggest we use our collective efforts policing the forums and eradicating those that are looking to abuse the system, regardless of how they brand themselves; real name, phony name, pen name, avatar or photo.
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timpears

13 years ago

It always bugs me to be having a conversation, especially via PM, and I have no idea what the name of the person is. I understand the idea behind user names and respect their right to use them. But if I am talking to them, I feel it is only common decency for a person to indicate what their name is, either by using a name for id, or putting it at the end of their posts.

If they don't, then I have to assume that they have something to hide.

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Bradley J Anderson

13 years ago

If I'm not selling anything to you, what does it matter if I use my own name or picture on this forum?

I was quite content with Brad_armPitt, as were many others, but I just got tired of 'hearing' people whine about the name and the pic rather than judging me by the quality (or not) of my posts.

If you choose not to buy something from me because you don't like my avatar, then so be it, no skin off my nose in the least. But the fact that you include your 'real' name and pic (and on the internet, how do we know it really is you?) doesn't make you any more trustworthy or knowledgeable.

Most of the people I have done 'business' with on this forum use names other than their own publicly. And most also use avatars that aren't their real pic. In fact, some of the most well-known members here use different names and avatars.

I'm quite well-versed in the 'internet underground', and I can tell you that putting up your real name and pic is not a safe way to do things.

For instance, (and I don't mean to pick on you in particular, Neil, it's just that your the OP), I now know your name, the fact that you live in Lanarkshire in the UK, and I know what you look like.

With $30 I can now input that little bit of info into any of a thousand places that will search through tens of thousands of databases and within only minutes give me every piece of information you can imagine about you. To verify it's you, I compare your pic here to the pic on the driver's license copy I would be provided, as well. Scary? Well, guess what? I can also pull up a picture of your house, as well, from the last time an appraiser came by. I also know what cars you own, license plate numbers, children you may have covered on your insurance policy, etc.

That is why I don't like to use a lot of public info, including a pic, on my profile, and for a lot of people it's the same reason.

Granted, there are many people here as mentioned above that are just trying to build links to their sites/products, but we all know those are usually very easy to figure out.

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IM Ash

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Neil Morgan

It just makes me think there is something being hidden which seems a strange way to present a business to people who, after all, are potential customers.

I really don't think everyone who is utilizing this forum is engaging in forum marketing. Why in the world will I want to market my products about car audio on the Warrior forum (hypothetical example)?

The Warrior Forum supplies a plethora of tools and each individual uses the tools on offer for various different reasons. You cannot place every member on this forum in one category!

I also do not see a problem with assuming a pseudonym... writers do it all the time and they still sell their books! The quality of a product cannot be judged by a persons username!

Originally Posted by Neil Morgan

True, but business is often more about perception than reality.

Perhaps your perception of why people use this forum is somewhat narrow and limited.

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Neil Morgan

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Eleva8

I really don't think everyone who is utilizing this forum is engaging in forum marketing. Why in the world will I want to market my products about car audio on the Warrior forum (hypothetical example)?

The Warrior Forum supplies a plethora of tools and each individual uses the tools on offer for various different reasons. You cannot place every member on this forum in one category!

Perhaps your perception of why people use this forum is somewhat narrow and limited.

Maybe.

Yet others who have replied said they use their name for SEO purposes.

I hadn't even thought of that!

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Neil Morgan

13 years ago

It's interesting how the argument has turned around since we all thrashed this out a couple of years ago.

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Bradley J Anderson 13 years ago

Originally Posted by Neil Morgan

It's interesting how the argument has turned around since we all thrashed this out a couple of years ago.

Then why bother bringing it up again? Did you want to see if 'public perception' had changed?

I quite like the idea of 'thrashing things out' and hearing other views. That's just one more reason I like this forum.

There is a discussion somewhere around here we had a few weeks ago about the use of pen names you may find interesting, as well.
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Roaddog

13 years ago

Do you know what the CEO of Mobile Oil looks like?

How about Verizon?

The local electrical, waste, water, gas?

I do business with them almost every day...couldn't care less what they look like.

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blackhawkup Banned 13 years ago

is it hannah montana or miley cyrus??? im confused, lol
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Trent Brownrigg

13 years ago

I use my real name and real pictures on almost every forum and other websites I am a member of. There are some that I don't, but not many.

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Joshua Rigley

Banned 13 years ago

I stopped using an alias on this forum because I noticed that hiding behind anonymity brings out the worst in me. Plus, it's easier to connect with people when you are being yourself. Which is easier to do when you use your real name.

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JaisonG

13 years ago

I like being up front with people which is why I use my actual first name instead of using something like "Make100dollarsperday", I think as a community, we should get to know each other a bit better and the one's who dont want to be upfront, don't really matter as much!

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Headfirst

13 years ago

I don't see anything wrong with using a business name. My clients write their checks out to Headfirst, so why not use it as my name on WF?

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elrascal

13 years ago

Ahh Snap. you caught me!

I'll be honest with you guys, my real name is not El Rascal!

SHOCK! HORROR!

(Though I wish it was. I think that would be cool!)

My real name is Peter O'Neill!!!!

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DeadRooster

13 years ago

I think it's beneficial for marketers to use their own name and if I had it to do all over again I would too. However, I joined this forum back in 2007 when I was mostly only interested in blogging, so I named it after my ingeniously named blog at the time.

D'oh!

Hey, at least I have the decency to add my real name under the fictitious, yet extremely classy, DeadRooster.

It could have been worse... I almost added .com to it.

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Shame about the name

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