Am I Allowed To Use Pen Names On Clickbank?

by Snow_Predator

Posted: 12 years ago 15 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

Dear Warriors

I just launched a product on Clickbank under a pen name (let's say Bob Dylan). My entire website is based around this pen name.

I just made a product approval request on Clickbank and they emailed me back asking me who Bob Dylan is and what my relationship with him is.

Will they deny my product approval request if I say it's a pen name? Is there any way I can work around this?

#allowed #clickbank #names #pen

tfauzan 12 years ago

Best for you to work with real name. trust is a must in business. Go Go Go
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6235210].message }}
Snow_Predator 12 years ago

Wow, two completely useless replies.

Keep 'em coming guys.
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6235219].message }}
Dominican 12 years ago

To answer your question: I know of numerous products that are acting under an assumed/pen name within Clickbank.

Tell them (you will have to message them back, and let them know) that the product is using a pseudonym author name/pen name for branding purposes. (To easier brand the product itself, with a memorable or trust worthy sounding name in your specific industry).

Word it based on what you are doing, and why, based on the gist of why you are using the pen name to begin with. I just assumed it's for brand-able purposes; you could just say it's a pen name and leave it at that, but if they ask why, you can use the reason listed above.

Clickbank will then tell you what to do, based on the information you provide. Keep in mind, they are bound by the laws of the U.S.A., as they operate within the United States, thus anyone choosing to use Clickbank is also bound by the same laws within; which is why they have to ask you certain things, when you are trying to use them as a marketplace for your product.

P.S. This same question has already been asked multiple times on this forum, but this post answers it more recently: http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...ml#post6011890

& Answered here too, with warriors admitting they personally have multiple pen names:

http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...-pen-name.html
- [ 1 ] Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6235256].message }}
The Copy Warriors 12 years ago

The Rich Jerk was a Clickbank product, wasn't it?
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6235260].message }}

Joseph Robinson

Banned 12 years ago

Yes, you are allowed to use pen names as long as you inform Clickbank of the situation.

A recent policy change also states that you must make a disclosure on your website that the name used is a pen name.

I'm looking up the link right now to post...

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6235294].message }}

Potsie Weber

Banned 12 years ago

[DELETED]

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6235347].message }}

Joseph Robinson

Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by Potsie Weber

That's a good policy change!

What do you say in disclosing the name is made up? That has to be an art in itself in saying so and still retaining any sort of credibility.

"Phake E. McPhakerson is a pen name used by the author to protect their privacy."

I keep it simple, and haven't run into any problems with readers, subscribers, or buyers so far.

[ 1 ] Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6235378].message }}

Potsie Weber

Banned 12 years ago

[DELETED]

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6235396].message }}

Joseph Robinson

Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by Potsie Weber

Yes, upon giving it further thought, many different authors of literature have used pen names. Having said that, my favorite authors have always used their real names, as far as I could determine. Has to be a reason for that.

I'd wager the reason is that they weren't online selling in multiple, diverse niches

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6235452].message }}

Potsie Weber

Banned 12 years ago

[DELETED]

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6235520].message }}

Snow_Predator 12 years ago

Originally Posted by Potsie Weber

But I do believe, as with most things, I'm in the minority on that!

Thank God for that!
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6235824].message }}

Joseph Robinson

Banned 12 years ago

I can only respond to these with my personal experiences and opinions, so be sure to take them with a grain of salt. Always remember, we are not the market.

Originally Posted by Potsie Weber

I think that's a wager you'd win.

Personally, though, if I saw that disclaimer on a site I was considering purchasing a product from, I'd be inclined to look for another site without it. I'd do that even if I didn't know what I know about affiliate marketing. I'd wonder why someone trying to sell me something based on building trust has to do so from behind a made up name. I need to be ignorant of such things.

I added my disclaimer in about two months after my first niche site was started, and immediately with my second niche (I complied as soon as I was aware of the requirements). My opt-in rate for the first site did not change at all, and the second has pulled in opt-ins at a very acceptable rate.

I make a point of allowing my readers to communicate directly with me, and many of them do. Not one person has yet mentioned my pen name.

Based on this, I'm guessing that they either don't see the disclaimer at all, or they just don't care.

Originally Posted by Potsie Weber

What privacy reasons could someone really have that are so pressing that a made up name has to be used? A stalker? In the witness protection program? The cynic in me would move onto another place to purchase regardless of any value provided in the content of the affiliate site that led me so far as to consider buying something. But I do believe, as with most things, I'm in the minority on that!

The stalker thing actually has come up from time to time online, so it is a viable reason. If you're confronted with the case you are bringing up here and really feel the need to even respond, I'd go with something along the lines of "It is a precautionary measure to avoid potential harassment."

I'd say that, and nothing more. If it doesn't satisfy the person questioning me? Oh well, there is no gun to their head and they are free to leave. I have countless other people to deal with and other tasks to complete. It's crucial to not get hung up on the small minority who don't care for you or what you do. You can't please everyone.

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6235845].message }}

Alexa Smith Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by Potsie Weber

What privacy reasons could someone really have that are so pressing that a made up name has to be used?

They might not want anyone to know that they appeared in a TV sitcom in America between 1974 and 1984, perhaps, in case it damaged their credibility - and perhaps especially if they'd previously used many other names from very closely related sources and times in similar contexts?
- [ 1 ] Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6236008].message }}

Alexa Smith Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by Snow_Predator

Will they deny my product approval request if I say it's a pen name?

No - they'll just require the fact that it's a pen-name to be disclosed in your sales material (they'll accept it buried in small-print, and they don't require your real name to be disclosed: just the fact that it's a pen-name.) So it's not really as bad as it sounds.

This is a "new thing", with them.

Good luck with your product!

Originally Posted by Joe Robinson

I'm looking up the link right now to post...

Well done, if you can find it. The last I heard (about a month ago) it was just a "policy change and not yet stated on the website".

Originally Posted by Potsie Weber

Wouldn't your best answer come first from reading the guidelines, terms of service, or whatever else you can find on the site of Clickbank?

As a general principle, yes - but to be fair, in the case of ClickBank (as sometimes with Ezine Articles, too!) the information on the site often lags somewhat behind the execution of the new policies, and it can be pretty helpful to ask informed Warriors what's going on, as well.
- [ 1 ] Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6235323].message }}

Snow_Predator

12 years ago

Thank you all for replying (yes, even the unhelpful ones - if only for bumping my thread).

Dominican posted a very useful link:

http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...-pen-name.html

Brian John provides the answer in post #9 of that thread. I included the following line on my disclaimer page:

For personal reasons, the author writes under the pen name Bob Dylan.

Then I replied to the Clickbank 'Product Specialist' (lol, 'Product Specialist'?)

Hi [name of silly Clickbank 'Product Specialist']

Bob Dylan is my pen name. I have included this detail in my disclaimer:

mywebsite[dot]com/disclaimer/

Thanks for getting back to me. Please let me know if there are any other problems

Best wishes,

Snow

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6235411].message }}

Snow_Predator 12 years ago

In case someone is looking through this tread, my response to Clickbank worked. Apparently it's perfectly fine to say that you are using a pen name.
- [ 2 ] Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6296984].message }}
LR 12 years ago

As stated by previous repliers, it is a recent policy change and you are allowed to use a pen name but you just must disclaim it.

I told them up front it was a pen name and all they said is make sure you add it to your disclaimer. I added it to my disclaimer and the product was approved.
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6297022].message }}
hassan007 12 years ago

The Answer is Yes... But remember to stick to it always in every report, document or book you write....

Regards
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6297098].message }}

Am I Allowed To Use Pen Names On Clickbank?

Trending Topics

What's the Best IM-Related Skill to Learn Today That Can Help in the Future?

Would You Go?

Any good link monetization services?

Are billboards still effective in driving customers?

My WordPress website was hacked and this is what happened