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Should I Open a Business to do Affiliate Marketing?

by El Modefoque
19 replies
Hi guys, I did a search but couldn't find a thread that answered my question directly.

I'm a newbie and am planning to get into Affiliate Marketing, getting a Domain, setting up a blog, write and E-Book, etc.....

My questions are:

Should I open up a Business and use the business name in this endeavor? Why or why not?

Should I use my real name on a blog or a fake (Pen) name?

Are some of the famous Super Affiliates that offer courses online and talk at events using their real name? or Pen names?

Interested in hearing what some of you are doing in this respect. Thank you for your time.
#affiliate #business #marketing #open
  • Profile picture of the author Coach Comeback
    I personally always use my real name. I want to build a brand. Something I can be proud of for years to come.

    I would stay away from any method that requires you to make "fake" accounts or id's because you don't want anyone to find out who you are and what you really do.

    Personal opinion
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  • Profile picture of the author klinks
    I use my real name. Like the previous post...you want to start building your brand. In terms of forming a business entity, I wouldn't get caught up on that aspect as a beginner. Focus on the actual business. Learning and more importantly taking action to get results. Too often marketers get caught up on the details and getting set up.

    Good luck in your new venture!
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  • Profile picture of the author baldandwrinkly
    "Should I open up a Business and use the business name in this endeavor? Why or why not?"
    Why would you? Get started and learn the business, start making some proper money. Once you do that, then you'll need to declare it and pay taxes. At that point you can decide whether you want to be a company or an individual.

    "Should I use my real name on a blog or a fake (Pen) name?"
    Always use your real name! You want people to know who you are and start to trust you. If there's anything fake about you, people will quickly find out. If you want longevity in any business, be honest and upfront.

    "Are some of the famous Super Affiliates that offer courses online and talk at events using their real name? or Pen names?"
    I can't speak for all of them, but the ones I know are using their real names. The ones I know that they know, are doing the same. See the answer above for reasons why.

    Hope this helps.
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  • Profile picture of the author BradVert2013
    I agree with baldandwrinkly, get started, make some money, then set up a business. One of the benefits of incorporating, like an LLC for example, is that it limits your personal liability. There are also some good tax benefits too. But a lot depends on your location, as laws for incorporating can vary by state.

    This is one of those cases where you should talk to a lawyer and accountant.
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  • Profile picture of the author Richard Guereca
    I am currently going through a training course that mentioned that you should use your own name as the domain address and the name of your blog. The idea is that people will be familiar with you and will trust you. Since I have a difficult to say last name, I just used my first name in the name of my blog. Good Luck
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  • Profile picture of the author gela g
    Your questions, My Answers:

    Should I open up a Business and use the business name in this endeavor? Why or why not?
    -- Opening a business is not a question you should ask to anyone EXCEPT to YOURSELF.
    -- Business is ALL About WHAT YOU CAN DO to Provide Solutions to People's Problem.
    -- The first rule of affiliate marketing is, find and sell products that people want to buy, and not those that you find most interesting or enjoyable.


    Should I use my real name on a blog or a fake (Pen) name?
    -- I used a blog name that relates to what I AM and mentioned in my About Page WHO I Am.

    Are some of the famous Super Affiliates that offer courses online and talk at events using their real name? or Pen names?
    -- They are using their real name and they also build a brand on it. These people make it for one reason and one reason only. That is, they treat affiliate marketing as a proper business right from the outset.

    So, it follows that everything that they do is predicated on this fact and every decision they make is a hard-nosed business decision.

    It is a business, pure and simple, and is treated as such at all times.

    Good luck!

    Best,
    Gela G. (Homekaholics)
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  • Profile picture of the author alexals1
    Hello, I have an amazing book for affiliate marketing ,you will learn step by step using videos and photos, the link below
    Amazon.com: WORK FROM HOME: Step By Step To Make $150 A Day eBook: Ahmed Alsamanoudi: Kindle Store
    you can use your name or a pen name.
    check the website above
    Alexals1
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  • Profile picture of the author archy22
    Modefoque, I believe there is no harm in using your real name. YOu can get ample number of resources and tutorials that can guide you how to begin with. I suggest please google and look for some good explaination.
    Affiliate link is used for marketing products and when visitors buy your product you will get your affiliate commission. Opening a fresh business would be a good idea I think. However, I suggest do it once you are well established.Regarding your question on whether other affiliates use their real name or fake, I cannot guarantee you that, but if you want to gain trust from your customers, make sure you sound and act authentic.
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  • Profile picture of the author David Braybrooke
    Only use a fake name if you are trying to hide from something.
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  • Profile picture of the author EconomicalDomains
    A good rule of thumb is not to sell or affiliate with anything you WOULDN'T attach your name to . . . . And use your real one!
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  • Profile picture of the author dhruven
    If your product or ebook is provide good service than you should give your real name not use any pan name.
    use your real name and create your brand on online world.
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    • Profile picture of the author El Modefoque
      Thank you so much and great advice guys. My gut told me to use my own name to be authentic as most you said. Glad you guys all confirmed my gut feeling.

      As for the Company aspect you guys are right no need to do that at this stage.

      Thank you again to everyone that replied for taking the time to answer my questions.

      Jorge
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  • Profile picture of the author Matthew Trujillo
    I AGREE with using your real name. People buy from people not from ghosts.

    If you are talking about opening a business such as an LLC that's not as important right away.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Originally Posted by El Modefoque View Post

    Should I open up a Business and use the business name in this endeavor? Why or why not?
    Sure... why not?

    Originally Posted by El Modefoque View Post

    Should I use my real name on a blog or a fake (Pen) name?
    Roll with your real name. Just make sure you're selling a good product that helps people.
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  • Profile picture of the author pewpewpewmonkeys
    All these people ITT saying you should use a real name because you need trust, etc, etc, and David DeAngelo (aka Eben Pagen) probably makes more than all of them combined.
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    The next time they hack one of my websites I'm going to donate DOUBLE.
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    • Profile picture of the author discrat
      Originally Posted by pewpewpewmonkeys View Post

      All these people ITT saying you should use a real name because you need trust, etc, etc, and David DeAngelo (aka Eben Pagen) probably makes more than all of them combined.
      Thats a good point. There are plenty of big IMers who use Pen Names .I kind of was torn between the two.

      Honestly, I would feel real sleazy if I have a biz and used a name other than my own. Some say there is nothing unethical about it. But it just would feel wrong to me.

      On the other hand my wife and I had a discussion about this topic years ago when I first started in online marketing. She was pissed that I would think about using my real full name.

      I have to agree with her to a certain extent. I think each person has to look at the Risk/Reward ratio on deciding whether to use their real full name.

      I want to be totally transparent to my customers and subscribers but the World we live in just is too risky on the Internet; at least for me.

      I just use my first and middle name, strictly for security purposes. And on occasions I tell this to my customers and subscribers. If they ever ask( which they have not) I would have no problem giving them my last name. None at all.


      But if they do not ask there is no need to tell. After all it is my real first and middle name. And that is the way I look at it. Many of you may disagree.

      (There are plenty of business people who just use their first and middle name in promotions.)

      Remember, EVERY single footprint you leave on the WEB is there FOREVER. There is no taking it back.

      And frankly, if I can help it I do not want my last name plastered all over the Internet when you can avoid this and STILL BE LEGIT.

      IMO, the more you can cut down on those footprints the better off you and especially your FAMILY will be in the long term.
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    • Profile picture of the author El Modefoque
      Originally Posted by pewpewpewmonkeys View Post

      All these people ITT saying you should use a real name because you need trust, etc, etc, and David DeAngelo (aka Eben Pagen) probably makes more than all of them combined.
      You bring up a great point here. That is whay I started this thread. I'm sure there are many that use a "Pen" name and are making it big, such as Eben Pagen. For me it's a security thing. Do you really want everyone to know your real name? Some probably don't and want to use a "Pen" name to have a little more privacy.

      Others don't mind.

      I guess it'll come down to personal choice.

      Thanx!!
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  • Profile picture of the author pewpewpewmonkeys
    There's nothing wrong with using a different name.

    There *is* something wrong with using a different name if you plan on being dishonest, but the immorality is in the dishonesty, not the lack of real name use.

    If you use your first+middle names and then sign up for a service what requires your first and last, then now people will know your first, middle, and last. Seems like a lot of work for even less security.
    Signature
    Some cause-oriented hackers recently hacked one of my websites. So I researched what they're about and then donated a large sum of money to the entity they hate the most.

    The next time they hack one of my websites I'm going to donate DOUBLE.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8999279].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author discrat
      Originally Posted by pewpewpewmonkeys View Post

      There's nothing wrong with using a different name.

      There *is* something wrong with using a different name if you plan on being dishonest, but the immorality is in the dishonesty, not the lack of real name use.

      If you use your first+middle names and then sign up for a service what requires your first and last, then now people will know your first, middle, and last. Seems like a lot of work for even less security.
      True. Like I said I do not have a problem sharing my Last name. I have nothing to hide. I have here many times and I do in about all my PMs to fellow Warriors.

      I guess I just I choose to minimize using it for the most part by branding my middle and first name.

      I mean there is only so much you can keep secure as I buy things things online.
      So we are all taking risk to some degree.

      Mine might be a little less than most. Paranoia ? Maybe.

      But I do like my first and middle and the way it sounds more than first and last. It is easier to remember for people too.
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