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Remain Anonymous vs a Real Name for Self Help Site / how to monetize

by stevenjcampbell
25 replies
First, remaining anonymous?
I wont lie, I was inspired by Jerry Banfield.
That guy seems amazing. Candid and straightforward and his podcasts are killer. Not the advertising stuff, but the self help stuff he does.

That is my niche. Self help and personal development. Is this a good niche? I am betting is has to be. we all want to be better.

My problem is that in starting my site, I will be talking on topics that will tell a LOT of stuff about my life that I may not want to have my family implicated in.

So I wonder if i am hurting myself for being anonymous for now, or if i will be able to develop this as I go.

Point is, the theme of the entire project is the law of attraction, stopping failure and finding success. All things I just started doing in the past seven months after studying self help for YEARS and thinking it was all bullcrap.

what resonated with me i feel other people want to share and learn from.

Second, monetization

I have ZERO concrete ideas for monetization. According to jetpack I got my FIRST hit today to a review of a webhost from google (awesome!) and other than that I have a few ideas.

I have a making money ideas part of the site, so i guess that there should provide riches?

There are plenty books in the public domain that can be used for free.
I can create my own course.
I can sell others books but would rather not.

Other than that, I am at a sort of loss. I know of no large high ticket items that dont require me to buy in like empower network and i am not that interested in MLM because I dont have the time to dedicate to it.

These are meandering thoughts.
I will thank you all every one of you that replies anything decent.
I know that i have asked questions here for fitness niche. That one i could not manage. I after three years fell off the passion i had for it after i started to have people ask me personal questions and help them more in their non fitness lives than in the gym.

Thannks.
#anonymous #monetize #real #remain #site
  • Profile picture of the author professorrosado
    Originally Posted by stevenjcampbell View Post

    First, remaining anonymous?......
    My problem is that in starting my site, I will be talking on topics that will tell a LOT of stuff about my life that I may not want to have my family implicated in.

    So I wonder if i am hurting myself for being anonymous for now, or if i will be able to develop this as I go..........
    That depends if you are able to promote effectively. You could use a corporation to "front" for you or to promote "you" as its resident guru / workshop speaker, etc.

    You would set it up (and your website) as a self-help company with online and offline resources, seminars, workshops, DVDs, eBooks, etc. You will be the company's star speaker and author.

    People who read what's on your site will not necessarily associate the "content" with you or your family - it will be presumed from many sources, editors and contributors, which you can also create on your site. (Especially for the sensitive facts).

    Later on, as your successful company promotes you successfully, your name will come to its own unweighted by direct "ties" to your personal past.

    Originally Posted by stevenjcampbell View Post

    Second, monetization.....
    Originally Posted by stevenjcampbell View Post

    I can create my own course....
    Then you do have ideas. I would only focus on my own products as I do not contaminate my thoughts with those of others for the sake of originality and pureness with my own philosophies (as I do when composing my music). I espouse this form for truly creator/originator types like myself.

    If you are not of that ilk, then I suggest you hybridize your products as many of the others do, incorporating the ideas of others into their own presentations (with the appropriate resource references).

    But product creation will be more profitable for you and can make cross promotion easier for your other resources.
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  • Profile picture of the author dlane1987
    I would create your own product if you can.
    Also I noticed a few things about your post.
    Why bother stay anonymous?
    Self Help is great but very competitive, try thinking of something more specific within the Self Help niche eg "helping others stay motivated to start their own business" thats still Self Help but less competitive.
    Also your focus on high ticket is misguided. You need to aim for a good Earn Per Click. Because if I try to sell a 400K Boat I may make a 50k commission that takes me 200k clicks which is a 0.25 EPC. Or I could sell amazon products for a $5 commission but it only take 10 clicks and get a 0.50 EPC. (I think the maths are good )
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    • Profile picture of the author stevenjcampbell
      Originally Posted by dlane1987 View Post

      I would create your own product if you can.
      Also I noticed a few things about your post.
      Why bother stay anonymous?
      Self Help is great but very competitive, try thinking of something more specific within the Self Help niche eg "helping others stay motivated to start their own business" thats still Self Help but less competitive.
      Also your focus on high ticket is misguided. You need to aim for a good Earn Per Click. Because if I try to sell a 400K Boat I may make a 50k commission that takes me 200k clicks which is a 0.25 EPC. Or I could sell amazon products for a $5 commission but it only take 10 clicks and get a 0.50 EPC. (I think the maths are good )
      this is very good advice.
      My more specific niche is there, but i failed to mention it.

      Self help for those at the end of their rope, older with established families who are just getting by and ready to resign themselves into a life of struggle forever.

      How is that?
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Don't matter if you use your real name or an anonymous one. If you can't make the site profitable, then what's the point of stressing over this trivial dilemma? And don't go into the self-help niche. That's harder to sell than *internet marketing* and *make money online* products. If you want to motivate people and make them feel good about their life, then give each email lead you collect $500 each month for free. They'll appreciate it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
      That's a niche where people identify with the person they are following. You will need to use video sooner or later. Not many chances of staying anonymous for a long time if things go right.
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      • Profile picture of the author stevenjcampbell
        Originally Posted by Sandra Martinez View Post

        That's a niche where people identify with the person they are following. You will need to use video sooner or later. Not many chances of staying anonymous for a long time if things go right.
        very on point and i see your argument. I appreciate that.
        Dunno if i mentioned that I was on video before and I basically crashed because I was so overly negative in the fitness niche, constantly creating drama and fighting. Technically all the things that I changed to change my life around in real life.

        That is a lot of life.
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        • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
          Originally Posted by stevenjcampbell View Post

          very on point and i see your argument. I appreciate that.
          Dunno if i mentioned that I was on video before and I basically crashed because I was so overly negative in the fitness niche, constantly creating drama and fighting. Technically all the things that I changed to change my life around in real life.

          That is a lot of life.
          It's a complicated niche... you need to dig deep into your core values to avoid getting caught in the ego-mess. It's fun though.
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          • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
            Originally Posted by Randall Magwood View Post

            Don't matter if you use your real name or an anonymous one. If you can't make the site profitable, then what's the point of stressing over this trivial dilemma?
            It might seem "trivial" unless you're one of the family members he mentioned in the opening post. Sounds like there might be some things involving other people who could get hurt from the wrong "trivial" decision.

            Originally Posted by Randall Magwood View Post

            If you want to motivate people and make them feel good about their life, then give each email lead you collect $500 each month for free. They'll appreciate it.
            No, they won't. At least not for long. Sooner or later they'll just accept it as something they're entitled to.
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    • Profile picture of the author stevenjcampbell
      Originally Posted by Randall Magwood View Post

      Don't matter if you use your real name or an anonymous one. If you can't make the site profitable, then what's the point of stressing over this trivial dilemma? And don't go into the self-help niche. That's harder to sell than *internet marketing* and *make money online* products. If you want to motivate people and make them feel good about their life, then give each email lead you collect $500 each month for free. They'll appreciate it.
      What a poor outlook.
      You are right, I AM DOOMED OMFG!

      Not like improving your life also focuses around:
      • Fitness Products
      • Programs to make more money
      • Books
      • DVD's
      • Entire Self Help Courses

      But you are right. Nothing in the self help niche is profitable
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      • Profile picture of the author discrat
        Originally Posted by stevenjcampbell View Post

        What a poor outlook.
        You are right, I AM DOOMED OMFG!

        Not like improving your life also focuses around:
        • Fitness Products
        • Programs to make more money
        • Books
        • DVD's
        • Entire Self Help Courses

        But you are right. Nothing in the self help niche is profitable
        Yeah, its definitely competitive but usually that is where the Money is being made
        Iam more naturally inclined toward Fitness Products and there are sooo many sub niches within it to choose and profit from !

        - Robert Andrew
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  • Profile picture of the author stevenjcampbell
    Thanks for everyone that took the time to answer. I'll have to put my face up I guess, but I suppose also i can also be careful with stories shared in my content too.
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  • Profile picture of the author ItsTime
    I built up a large blog and use a pen name for exactly that reason, i.e. I often discuss personal details. Very few people know who I am - pretty much my wife, parents and tax accountant!

    Anyway, I find the anonymity very freeing - it's difficult to describe. Part of the reason is that it distances you for some weird psychological reason from criticism and accolades. Imo you want to look at accolades and criticism of your work objectively and unemotionally and taking your name off of it can help.
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    • Profile picture of the author professorrosado
      OMG! Looks like this thread has just started to keel over! LOL!
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    • Profile picture of the author stevenjcampbell
      Originally Posted by ItsTime View Post

      I built up a large blog and use a pen name for exactly that reason, i.e. I often discuss personal details. Very few people know who I am - pretty much my wife, parents and tax accountant!

      Anyway, I find the anonymity very freeing - it's difficult to describe. Part of the reason is that it distances you for some weird psychological reason from criticism and accolades. Imo you want to look at accolades and criticism of your work objectively and unemotionally and taking your name off of it can help.
      i almost feel the same way, however my project is in its infancy and i have zero clue if i am going in the right direction. if you had the time i would love to send you a PM and see if you could look at what i am working on.
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  • Profile picture of the author IMhelper
    In my opinion, If you can write something amazing , life changing people may be search for your personal contacts to thank you. In this point, it is very important to have your identity, you can monetize those curious thanks giver.
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  • Profile picture of the author Trey Morgan
    If you're passionate about the self-help niche, and you really see yourself spending years building a brand and working your way towards high levels of success, then you should get behind the project 100% and go all in. Hiding behind a computer screen and being anonymous will make success a lot tougher.

    People want to know that they're dealing with a real person with real confidence. How can you expect to teach people about becoming better versions of themselves if you're afraid to even reveal your identity to your audience.

    There are many ways to monetize your site. Personally I recommend you create your own ebook. I'm sure you've read a your fair share of self-help books and you should've acquired enough knowledge to create your own ebook using your own personality and unique perspective on life.

    Good luck.
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    • Profile picture of the author stevenjcampbell
      Originally Posted by Trey Morgan View Post

      If you're passionate about the self-help niche, and you really see yourself spending years building a brand and working your way towards high levels of success, then you should get behind the project 100% and go all in. Hiding behind a computer screen and being anonymous will make success a lot tougher.

      People want to know that they're dealing with a real person with real confidence. How can you expect to teach people about becoming better versions of themselves if you're afraid to even reveal your identity to your audience.

      There are many ways to monetize your site. Personally I recommend you create your own ebook. I'm sure you've read a your fair share of self-help books and you should've acquired enough knowledge to create your own ebook using your own personality and unique perspective on life.

      Good luck.
      self help books are not hard to write. for me, it is just write what worked for me.
      Heck, most of the entire field is just people putting a spin on what works for them, from the great works already written.

      Again, I am in a quagmire on the idea of real vs pen name. I could at least put a pen name on me and show a face. Maybe.

      Or just keep my facebook and whatsapp completely private and interact merely via official channels.
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      • Profile picture of the author professorrosado
        Originally Posted by Trey Morgan View Post

        ......Hiding behind a computer screen and being anonymous will make success a lot tougher.
        And thinkers like myself, suspect. How can anyone portend to "help" another when they cannot "help" themselves to get over their own issues. Hiding behind fictitious names are good for writers of fiction, but not for "self-help" or "help" of any kind - unless the help offered is, as well, fictitious.

        Originally Posted by stevenjcampbell View Post

        self help books are not hard to write. for me, it is just write what worked for me.
        Heck, most of the entire field is just people putting a spin on what works for them, from the great works already written.

        Again, I am in a quagmire on the idea of real vs pen name. I could at least put a pen name on me and show a face. Maybe.

        Or just keep my facebook and whatsapp completely private and interact merely via official channels.
        I will make this supremely simple for you to make your decision.

        If you are not really contributing anything "drastically" uniquely different, then use a pen name and become as famous as Dr. Seuss.

        If you have something unique, then your success lies in your uniqueness and that will require you to "come out" if you will, and then you would have been better off if you had used your real persona from day one since you will now have a "double" competing with you and you've given the other quite a significant lead.
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        • Profile picture of the author stevenjcampbell
          Originally Posted by professorrosado View Post

          And thinkers like myself, suspect. How can anyone portend to "help" another when they cannot "help" themselves to get over their own issues. Hiding behind fictitious names are good for writers of fiction, but not for "self-help" or "help" of any kind - unless the help offered is, as well, fictitious.



          I will make this supremely simple for you to make your decision.

          If you are not really contributing anything "drastically" uniquely different, then use a pen name and become as famous as Dr. Seuss.

          If you have something unique, then your success lies in your uniqueness and that will require you to "come out" if you will, and then you would have been better off if you had used your real persona from day one since you will now have a "double" competing with you and you've given the other quite a significant lead.
          I am on week three and podcast four think i can get away with it, but glad I asked before I got any further in. Thanks
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          • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
            Originally Posted by stevenjcampbell View Post

            I am on week three and podcast four think i can get away with it, but glad I asked before I got any further in. Thanks
            IDK, Lada Gaga, John ("Cougar") Mellencamp (sheesh I'm dating myself, but anyway he came onto the music scene as "John Cougar" and then dropped the Cougar for his real last name in future albums), Bruno Mars and many more seem to have done pretty well for having used stage names.

            My impression is that as long as you're giving value, nobody really cares. If you use a pseudonym, some will find out your real name and be smug about "being in the know"...the rest will simply care about whatever it is you're sharing.
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            • Profile picture of the author stevenjcampbell
              Originally Posted by Jason Kanigan View Post

              IDK, Lada Gaga, John ("Cougar") Mellencamp (sheesh I'm dating myself, but anyway he came onto the music scene as "John Cougar" and then dropped the Cougar for his real last name in future albums), Bruno Mars and many more seem to have done pretty well for having used stage names.

              My impression is that as long as you're giving value, nobody really cares. If you use a pseudonym, some will find out your real name and be smug about "being in the know"...the rest will simply care about whatever it is you're sharing.
              They show their faces. Why am I so worried about that?
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              • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
                Originally Posted by stevenjcampbell View Post

                They show their faces. Why am I so worried about that?
                What can I say? Some of us just have a "face made for radio..."
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              • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
                Originally Posted by stevenjcampbell View Post

                They show their faces. Why am I so worried about that?
                Did you change the niche in your post up above describing the niche and audience?

                I could have sworn I saw an adult niche, which is the one I responded to about maintaining your anonymity.

                In the self-help niche, you could substitute the black couch for a psychiatrist's chair visible through the door opening.

                Find a friendly analyst who's cool with letting you and your straightman friend in once a week to shoot videos.

                This is part of your branding, so I'd get it determined right first rather than changing as you go. Tim's neighbor didn't change his fence, did he.
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  • Profile picture of the author evanpwe
    Go with your gut feeling. You could always use a pen name loads of marketers do it.
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