Is it ok to use a pen name for my online business?

This has been asked and answered on this forum, many dozens of times. It is a totally irrelevant question since no matter what name you use, real or pen, there is no way that anyone will know if it is real or not.

Just take one minute to think about it, logically. It simply doesn't matter.

Anyone who tells you to use your real name because you want to "build trust," is incapable of comprehending the lunacy of their proposition.

Doesnt matter man just use it

It is OK, K, but ask yourself:

"Why?"

If fear drives you, expect to face transparency problems. But if fun drives you, it grows into something playful and successful, over months and years.

Ryan

PS....I love Cyprus Nicosia and Paphos were both quite fun.

Ryan - you need to step away from the 'fear' and look at common sense


Smart to have a pen name that mirrors your audience demographic....it's common and nothing unique to the online area.


Absolutely nothing wrong with using a pen name. Many marketers even create a 'persona' and a story to go with the name. To me, that goes too far but it's personal choice, I guess.

I'm guessing your real name isn't Kingspark. You're probably not even royalty.

Does that help to answer your question?

I think it's totally ok, in an online world. But it can still pose some problems.
I wrote a book using a pen name, and found it challenging to market it since I couldn't really do offline public appearances being "me".

Later, I launched an info product using a variation of that same name. Hard to tell if it was the name or my lack of knowledge back then, but I personally felt I struggled a bit due to using a pen name. I didn't feel "authentic". (This was just my own issue. You may not have the same issue).

In my case, I wanted a pen name because hardly anyone pronounces my last name right. Now I just tell them "Rhymes with 'like'" and move on.

Did you catch the irony of what this statement says?


Steve

Well I think there are some factors to be put to consideration. What is your website about? Is what you usually talk about something you think the female folk would only feel comfortable discussing/ asking opinions about with another female? Or do you think that they would want a male perspective of things.
It really doesn't matter so much, don't sweat it. Or, to make all things balanced, why don't you go for a "unisex" name, like Andy, or Chris, Or Vic.

Pen name is already somebody's brand, isn't it?

I would not recommend using your real name. There was a time when I prided myself in using mine, and thought it made me "above" other marketers, or more "transparent..."


If I could go back in time, I would not have made that decision to start using my real name.


Dont get me wrong... if you LIKE "stalkers", then its a great idea.


Once you develop a few thousand followers, there are GOING to be a few people in the crowd who start to resent you for some reason, if only for an imagined slight... and some of them turn into stalkers.


As far as being "fear" motivated: There are alot of people here on this forum who have made the decision to be "brave" and use their real name in the past, and they dont anymore.


Using a pen name is not "fear", it's just "smart", if a person thought about it.


I know it works for Tony Robbins and others (using a real name) ... but Im sure Tony Robbins cant even go to the bathroom without someone knowing about it. If you like that kind of attention then go for it.


There comes a point when it doesnt feel so great to have your name being plastered everywhere.


Another thing, and I have learned this from experience, is that: You can potentially pigeon hole yourself, which makes it harder to diversify your subject matter, or change your stance on a subject... because you have already been branded for a certain thing.


On a last note: Having an alarm system in your home isnt just "fear", it's "smart". Well, think of it... you can even put your own family in harms way by putting your name out to millions of people.


Yes; I have literally had people look up my family members phone numbers and addresses. That was only possible for them because I used my real name.


There are alot of reasons to use a pen name. It's everyones personal choice, but , down the road, in hindsight, you may agree with me.


Hindsight is 20/20


As long as I have been on the "Warrior Journey", there is a bunch of experience to offer. I think this is one of my more valuable peices of advice. Giving the whole internet the keys into your personal life is really not smart, no matter how well intending you are.


Hope it helps someone.

In my own opinion, I don't think that's gonna be a big deal unless you have a hidden agenda. It has an advantage as well, like what you mentioned all of your audience are girls, you don't want to make them feel awkward or something. I don't think having a pen name will cause a big trouble, just stick with your plan and work genuinely so you won't have any problem in the future. I myself use a pen name to protect my privacy, in your case you need to be careful as well. Good luck to your business if you choose to use your real name for your business then that's good as well.

Sure, why not?

Many people do this.

But, just don't be deceptive.

thanks a lot everyone for your input. My doubts have been settled. Thank you all once again

My pen name is Bic Papermate.

Personally, I think that using a pen name is the only sensible thing to do. With people's personal information being so readily accessible, I'm not sure if you'd want to take the chance of having your security compromised.

I've been using a 'nom de net' since I got involved with online marketing several years ago. It was a common practice back then much of my online sign-ins, etc. use it.

It may offend some in the 'know, like and trust' crowd, but the name is essentially my alter ego and I pride myself on being as upfront and ethical as possible.

The way you said of how you're using the 'pen name' because you're a guy and you have a 100% female audience for the products and you want to sync better with them is totally acceptable.

1. I don't think everybody has the time to Google or research about you (though I'd have to admit that working in marketing, there are really people who do this.)
2. I don't think it's ever illegal to use a pen name for your autoresponder
3. Work with what you think is comfortable for you and your audience.

Hope this helps even with a bunch of replies already

Some times it is the safest measure needed. However, most times it sends wrong signals to prospective customers.