Why do you use or dont use your real name on warrior ?

[ChrisByrns]

well.. Chris Byrns is actually an alias which i made up just because i mainly deal with US clients.. when talking to english-speaking clients on the phone i needed a name that they could comprehend.. nowadays, the name Chris Byrns is also inscribed on my ID (as "artist name") and i even use it in everyday life, not just in the online world.

[eSeM]

I haven't used my real name online since i used WoW! as an ISP when i was like 10.

I haven't had a need, Although im sure its beneficial for some people to use their name

[shane.n]

i use myreal name why not man!!!!

[jbarnes77777]

In my case it is one of those things where you do not know what to expect so you decide to play it safe. I guess it boils down to the level of comfort anonymity provides.

After using this forum for a while I will have no problem using my real name. I just haven't gotten around creating that account yet.

Surely on my to do list though.

[Rich Mann]

My personal take on using Real Names on the internet is that there's a time and place for using guarded information. I own a legally licensed business in the real world and use my real name when dealing with customers.

The internet, IMHO, isn't a place to give out real information unless you are using it for branding or are a high profile personality. Identity theft is real and it's big business. if you've ever known anyone that has been a victim to this crime, you also know the devastation it causes. Call me paranoid, but just because your paranoid doesn't mean that someone's not out to get you.

I have a vicious ex-wife that would love to know what I'm doing to make money and how much I make. My children are grown and they are very active on the internet. I have business competitors that would really like to know what I'm up to.

Although I don't have anything to hide or to be ashamed of, I choose to maintain control of who knows what personal information about me. I think it's a personal decision as to how transparent you really want to be in the wilds of the internet. And really, It's not difficult to get all the personal information about someone you want. There are plenty of background investigation pay sites, that for a few bucks, will serve up everything you want to know about someone.

Credibility, trust and relationship building are things that are built over time. The name that's attached to that relationship is the name that is associated with the relationship no matter what that name is. If you deal honestly and respectfully within your sphere of influence, whatever you call yourself or your business is what will carry the burden of character according to how you conduct yourself. I agree with ZigZag.

ZigZag wrote:
I think that if a person's ethical, truthworthy, and moral, they're ethical, trustworthy, and moral. Doesn't really matter what name they use.

Just my humble opine.

Rich Mann

[Rich Mann]

Just a quick question. Does anyone in this thread remember a user named "ManWithTwoArms" that posted to this thread and got banned from WF? I was chatting with him and he told me that he got banned and doesn't know why.

[qubex]

Although I've been using the handle "Qubex" for a few years now, my 'real' name is Curtis.

[Karen Blundell]

I've used both usernames or my real name. It depends on the situation. Here I decided to use my real name because I want to build relationships with people and trust. This is an important forum and I value it.

[PatDoyle]

I use my real name for branding, and because it is also the name of my blog. I want people to remember my name, as Mark Kaye said, hopefully they will trust my products because of the name.

But I do use a pen name for some other markets. Mostly because I don't want people to know all the other markets I am in.

[BigRedNotebook]

My real name, Viagra Cialis Rogaine-Steroids, tends to get me banned.

Seriously, though, I went with my business name instead of my own name because I'm more interested in "branding" the business name.

I also think that there are people who use "handles" because they're more interested in learning a little and having some conversation than they are in building a business via the WF. They might be missing out on a great opportunity, but I don't think it's fair to make any assumptions about honesty based on that decision.

[Sleaklight]

I registered as a guinea pig for the coder of the original warriorforum and never thought of actually sticking around so never used my real name by name all my buddies know me by. Then I did stick around and I tried changing to my real name recently, but it is taken and I hate to use my name with random numbers attached to it. lol

[Jassim]

Putting the real name & real picture creates great credibility. People who reads your posts while think comfortable as they are reading honest person posts & this will be very helpful when you launch wso.

[armadillo]

I don't use my real name anywhere online, not because my level of honesty, but because of yours.

I don't have a "discount" card or "membership" card at the local supermarket because I don't really care for them to have a detailed printout on exactly how many rolls of toilet paper I bought last year and whether or not it was perfumed.

If I respond to an email for a "free offer" you don't get my real email address.

I'm an intensely private person, and who I am and where I live and all the other personal information that becomes available to a determined searcher given those two bits of info, is exactly that, private and personal, and if I don't protect it, it won't be protected.

I'm not a member of facebook, or myspace, or any of the other social networking sites, and I really don't understand them. People talk out one side of their mouth proclaiming identity theft as evil, while at the same time throwing the most intimate details of their lives and business out in emails, chatrooms and forums, all of which are basically public venues. (No, I can't read your emails. But your boss can if you use his network, along with any government agency that has the desire. Thats close enough to public for me)

Will this hurt me in my business dealings? Not markedly, so far. Isn't this paranoid? Yes, certainly, whats wrong with that? ....And why do you want to know? I walk MY walk and talk My talk, not yours. It's all good. (Could you tell this a hot button for me?)

[Alex Sol]

Because 99% of people cannot pronounce my last name...

[Marcus Paul]

I found changing my screen name to my pen name may it easier to do business. Before it was associated with only one of my projects, which was limiting.

[eddycole]

I use my real name because I thought it appropriate. Not saying using an alias is inappropriate...

I've also been known to respond to the name, God, too, but usually it's someone screaming "Oh God, oH GOd!..." LOL!

ed

[Rupps]

I stopped using my real name in posts, at least for the time being. I use my nickname now. I do business with a lot, I mean a whole lot of people. I am sure some Google my name and I don't really care to have them see the myriad of things I have asked or have helped others with.

Plus I don't know what the future holds in store for me. If I run for congress, is some stupid comment I make years before going to work against me?

I don't care too much about credibility as I don't sell anything to people here. As far as buying from a pen name? I could care less as long as the product looks good and is believable.

[JohnSpangler]

I think folks love to know who they are dealing with because unlike an offline business that you walk in and introduce yourself, online you can be anyone.

By providing your real name you at least, to a small degree, add a "security seal" of sorts because our belief is that since someone is using their real name they are less likely to be snowballing anyone since they are using their real name.

John

[Jeff Henshaw]

Cherilyn,

You might be interested in this thread:

I use my real name because of branding... My real name is my business name. It's my branded name. Problem is, when I get married that's all going to change, so I may just keep my maiden name as a pen name and register my maiden name as a business name... Or I may just change everything to what will be my married name, and let everyone know.

Am I a BAD wife?


Regards,
Jeff.

[Kevin Riley]

I use my real name. That's my brand. That's how people know they'll get a good product. People don't buy the product - they buy the person behind the product.

I see nothing wrong however with using a pen name (not a username like Google Terminator or xfgh66) as long as you are consistent. If I used a pen name, like Edward van Hackensack, then everything I create, any username in forums and social sites, etc would be Edward van Hackensack.

[Keegahn]

My "pen name" is actually my middle name followed by my real last name. For me personally it has nothing to do with anonymity, it just allows individual profiles for both personal and business relationships.

[Enigma7]

Boy oh Boy! This battle has raged on many a forum...but when it's all said and done, I agree with those who say it's simply "personal preference". If we need our "Real Name" to keep us honest, we have bigger issues than can be dealt with here

[Enigma7]

Originally Posted by eddycole

I use my real name because I thought it appropriate. Not saying using an alias is inappropriate...

I've also been known to respond to the name, God, too, but usually it's someone screaming "Oh God, oH GOd!..." LOL!

ed

Too Funny!

[John M Kane]

I don't recall selecting it.
I think Mr Says gave it to me years back or Roboform did
or it flew out my a..
Peps resent my avatar so, I figured keeping war28476 just gives them more to grind their teeth about

I would have used THX1138 but, I didn't want to get sued or worse.
war28476
or
Old Fart or
John Boy
or like mom would call me "g-d D-mn it" come here

[SeanIM]

I thought about using my full name but it's just too many characters...

SeanIM

is much shorter than

Sean Ingram Mitchell ;-)

-S

[Micheal Perkins]

I wasn't sure what I wanted to do when I first signed up. I spent several minutes trying to decide if I wanted to put my real name on here or a pen name.

I'm a cop where I live, and am working to build a business online. So because of my profession I wasn't sure if I wanted my real name out there yet. You see we have to worry about what people are going to do with any information we put online about ourselves.

There are some defense attorneys that will use anything they can find out about us to make us look bad in court and try to destroy our credibility to the jury. They will do that instead of trying the aspects of the case when they know they have a looser case. So rather than focus on their clients actions, they try to tear us down in front of the jury to show we can't be trusted.

So I had to think about it for a few minutes. I decided to put my real name on here, but to reserve some other details that would help nail down who I am. Once I am out of the law enforcement game I will be more open with my information.

I decided to use my real name because I want to build my name and reputation. I felt that was important to do if I really want to make this my new full time career.

[Darth Executor]

Originally Posted by Mark Kaye

I'm a radio host and in my business your name is everything. When people hear my name I need them to automatically connect with my radio station and format.

I think the same is true with marketing. Think about the books you buy. Do you buy them because of the title or the author? Me? I buy for the author because I recognize their product with one that I enjoy:

Seth Godin
Spencer Johnson
Robert Allen
Joel Osteen
Malcolm Gladwell

My two cents...

You don't need to use your real name to have a recognizable name. Using your radio example, there was a DJ in Toronto called Mad Dog. Lots of people in my age range would easily recognize his voice and style instantly but most of us (myself included) have no idea what his name is.

Bottom line, having a recognizable name is useful, but there's no point in using your real one unless you want to play superstar. I don't, I'd much rather have my privacy.

[hkay]

Originally Posted by Dana_W

When I first joined I still had a full time job and didn't want them to know I was doing IM on the side, because I was looking to figure out how to make IM my full time job (which I have).

I am using a pen name for the same reason - never to give a hint to anyone on my IM activities.

[Simon74]

I prefer to do business to a real person, that's why I use a my real name, I think works better.

[dwshoup]

Originally Posted by winebuddy

I use the same "username" on multiple forums, video accounts, social sites, etc.

I have several businesses and it helps me keep them separate.

That is a good point. I didn't think of that.

[GT]

Hello:

I use my real name for branding purposes. I'm looking long-term, down the road, and I want to make sure I start off right by identifying myself and using that to my advantage as my Internet business grows and my reputation develops.

GT

[Trader54]

How does one really know unless you have met the person in real life and really get to know them?

I got to know someone from this forum and then found out they did not use
there real name or real picture.

[Craig Fenton]

Hi Peter:

Hope the weekend is going well thus far. The reason some use their real name is they believe that it shows credibility/validity to post and comment without hiding. When the time comes to advertise a product people may feel more secure with their upfront approach.

The disadvantage that you hear about is when somebody gives a real name and says something positive or negative about a topic, company, or marketing system. If they are easy to find through websites and emails they can get hassled.

You may have noticed that not only with politics or religion but sports, music, and marketing there isn't always great respect for the other point of view.

Have a fantastic Sunday!

[BizBoost]

Three Words: THE - RICH - JERK

[Chris Kent]

I use a pen name purely for security reasons. I know several people who have been tracked down/stalked etc. There was one guy here in the UK who was murdered by some guy who travelled to find him and kill him. Working from home, this is not a risk I am willing to take. It would be totally different if I worked for an organisation.

I keep my first name the same for all my pen names. That way I can interact more naturally. I believe that undercover operatives also do a similar thing.

Using a real or pen name has nothing to do with trust. If you consistently use a pen name and nobody but you knows that it is a pen name then where is the difference? There is none.

[Thomas Belknap]

My real name is Kevin Riley. I created this profile because I make more sales using this handsome picture instead of the hairy, old looking picture many of you have seen.

[Nahm D. Plume]

I'm a firm believer in using a name.

Therefore I do.

NDP

[RayAndLisaJ]

I can see where Jared is coming from with the trust issue. I'm not saying I wouldn't do business with someone using a pen name, actually I'm sure I have. A few other posters make great points for not using your real name also.

For me as a matter of consistency I always use my name and my wifes. We are partners in business as well as in life. It's not my purpose here but in terms of branding it just makes sence to keep it the same everywhere.

[Matt Maiden]

There is another thread that is asking the question: "Who are the gurus you trust the most"? and all answers name people by name not a single marketing method or brand like "The Rich Jerk" is mentioned.

Just an observation about trust and credibility.

Matt

[Powertreb]

I don't see the harm in using an alias. Of course sometimes it can be harmful. But in a case like mine...I use the same alias in lots of bookmarking sites.

All my info, including my photo is readily available on my FaceBook profile.

I do have to disagree that using a real name always spells honesty. Just look at Ben Glinsky and Mike Glaspie. They use real names. They are also some of the biggest crooks on the web.

[Steadyon]

I am very happy to give my help on this forum.

But if you knew my real name then my success in my niches may be jeopardised.

Also, I don't want some a**hole bugging me.

No other reasons.


Steadyon

[bhevs]

I don't use my real name because it's very common and there are member who already signed up with it so I can't use it.

[Jill Carpenter]

Mine is my business name, but I also know there is another Jill Carpenter who is also on the internet for film (she is make up artist) and she and I are both listed on a specific film site.

And I found another Jill Carpenter who is a published author.

I have thought about getting married and changing my name, but it would only drop the "pen" in my current situation.

Will cross that bridge when it comes.

[Chris Kent]

I still don't get why people think a real name is more trustworthy than a pen name.

Just to prove a point, how do you know that "Frank Kern" is really called "Frank Kern"? He could have been born "Engelbert van Stein" and the customer would never know.

[Matt Maiden]

Originally Posted by ProductCreator

I still don't get why people think a real name is more trustworthy than a pen name.

I don't think the issue is really about pen names because you're right how would I know if that was his real name or not.

The difference between using something like ProductCreator and a person's name can be the deciding factor when someone is considering buying your products.

Paul Myers can get more people to check out one of his recommendations than someone using something like "Marketing Profits".

If I go to a site selling a product called "Marketing Profits" I have to base my buying decision on the sales page alone unless there are testimonials on the page.

In which case, I would then look at the testimonials and can bet that the folks giving the testimonials are using real names.

Now if Paul said "hey Matt go check out the Marketing Profits product" then I would definitely be more inclined to believe the product promises based on how much I valued Paul's opinion.

Yes Paul can be using a pen name but since I don't know that and based on what I do know about him I will still value his recommendation.

I think it is harder to judge and evaluate a person that does not even attempt to use a real name.

If Tom Cruise was interested in IM and decided to check us out he would probably not use his real name with reason. But if he used "a" real name we would still feel like the person we were talking to was more down to earth and not always "on".

[Steven Fullman]

I use my real name, simply because it's my real name.

Established members with non-human names don't bother me, though.

Steve

[WinsonYeung]

It's all come down to branding yourself. People will only notice you or aware of you if you are using name that make sense (not piggy etc etc) with your photo included.
<======Winson Yeung is my name

[Norma Holt]

Originally Posted by grumpyb

I have read here in some threads some discussion on whether people should use their real names. My name is Peter but my wife calls me a grumpyb so I guess both names will get an answer.

But seriously for a moment what are the pros and cons of using your real name here and disclosing your correct loacation ?

Its funny that this thread has surfaced. I was thinking of adding one on this very subject.

People are probably confused into thinking that using a nom de plum is a good idea in forums. However, I am of the opinion that it does them an injustice.
1. They are here to market a product. Would you deal with a shopkeeper who greets you wearing a disguise or a mask on his face?
2. You need to get your name known on the Internet so that people can find you.
3. Your name gets listed in the search engines and links to everything you put on the web.
4. If you have a different name everywhere you go people won't find you as readily as if you are using your real name. After all you put your real name into sign up forms etc.
5. Forum members can relate better to you if they know your name
6. You will get a following and if, later on, you change from a nom de plum to your RN then those following won't know you.
7. This place in particular is very friendly and no one will be taking over and stealing your identity.

Well, that's just some of the reasons I can think of. I am sure there are dozens more.

While your wife might call you by a pet name it might not sound too credible to others.

God bless

Norma

[Chris Johnson]

Maybe I'm old school, but I prefer to do business with people who use their real name.

[Barbara Wilson]

Well, I use my real name here. I don't have anything against folks using a pen name - I've just never had a nickname or pen name, so when I registered years ago I just used my real name.

I answer to lots of things though - Mom, Grandma, Sis, Honey, Baby (my Mom still calls me that!) and even Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm (that's from one grandson's new girlfriend!). None of these seem appropriate to use on a forum though. )