Should I Use a Pen Nom De Plume?

by DailyHealthBlitz

Posted: 13 years ago 10 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

I am a Web Analyst by trade so I am not a total noob, but I did just launch my first real site and am starting the process of writing articles to build backlinks. This side of the business is all new to me and I am learning something new every day and still have a ton of questions (I am so happy to have stumbled across this forum!). My question: should I use a nom de plume (pen name) for my articles/blogs? I notice many people do and I am wondering if there are any advantages/disadvantages of using my real name. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

#nom #pen #plume

Istvan Horvath 13 years ago

You are going to hear very different opinions. There, probably, isn't any disadvantage in using a pen name for a certain niche: many people use different pen names for different niches... otherwise they could come across as an know-it-all persona.

Many "famous" internet marketers became known by their pen name.
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Kecia 13 years ago

I can't think of many cons for using a pen name, except that you are not able to brand yourself/your real name as an expert. However, there are pros to using them. Keeping your niches separate is a big one. If you do all of your marketing under a single name, it will be very easy for others to know every niche you are in, meaning they can duplicate your work with little effort.
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- bretski 13 years ago
  
  "nom de plume"... that sound SO MUCH MORE AWESOME and SEXY than "a fake name"! Kewl!
  
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Alexa Smith Banned 13 years ago

Originally Posted by DailyHealthBlitz

I am wondering if there are any advantages/disadvantages of using my real name.

There's one big disadvantage. If/when you have more than one niche, using the same name for them can detract from your perceived credibility. Many people will wonder, if they find out that the expert on home desalination technology is also the expert on cauliflower soup recipes, whether that person is really an "expert" or "just a marketer" who will sell anything from which s/he can earn commissions.

Unless you're already known in your real name, before you start, as an expert on a particular subject, I see no advantage to using it.

Earlier conversations here on this subject have always produced posts from people opining that it's somehow "more personal" or "more authentic" to use your real name. This "point" seems entirely illogical to me, resting as it does, for any validity, on the completely self-defeating assumption that the readers/customers know that it's a real-name rather than a pen-name. But if this thread continues for long enough, you'll doubtless be seeing that circular argument offered.
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PhilG 13 years ago

I agree with the posters above and would like to also add that there are simply some niches that you would not want you own name associated with. I am no just talking about smutty niches (which none of us should be in anyway). Even those niches regarding health issues can be sensitive. For example, if you are a guy, writing about postpartum pregnancy blues can seem a bit odd.

Phil G
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Bruce NewMedia 13 years ago

I'd say if you have a primary or established niche, your real name is appropriate. You may attend a conference focused on that niche and want to present yourself by name- your real name, not a fake 'internet name'.

....however, in niches you have little or no connection to, and don't plan on having any, pen names make a lot of sense. Alexa's example is a good one too. It's hard to appear as an expert in wildly different disciplines.
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DailyHealthBlitz 13 years ago

Great answers, thanks all.
Hmmm.....this seems like an opportunity to shed my boring name and adopt a sexy pen name! Sorry Mom!
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- shaunburke 13 years ago
  
  I nearly always use a pen name, as just checking which one I should be using reminds me of the frame of mind I should be in. Each pen name is the name of a "person" who has suffered the same trials as my target audience, but who has triumphed and is now sharing. It keeps me on topic.
  
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- Kierkegaard 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by DailyHealthBlitz
  
  Great answers, thanks all.
  Hmmm.....this seems like an opportunity to shed my boring name and adopt a sexy pen name! Sorry Mom!
  
  You mean DailyHealthBlitz is your real name
  
  Another problem with using your real name is that if you have already built a name for yourself you may not want your other endeavors linked with your name.
  
  I have a recognizable name in two fields, one business and one hobby. If you google my real name you'll find lots of links in both areas. This two are OK because people have work and hobbies.
  
  When someone Googles my name, I want them to find my business and hobby links, not any other blogs, articles, etc.
  
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Kurt 13 years ago

My pen name is Bic Papermate.
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