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Question for Product Creators who use Pen Names [thanks]

by Big Al
9 replies
From threads I've read in the past a few people seem to create reports (including the $7 kind) and use pen names.

Do you use PayPal as your processor since that then shows your real name afterwards on the receipt that's emailed to you. Which kinda takes away and makes it all pointless (or potentially blows any trust and the chance of selling other products in the future to that buyers).

I know I've a product in the non-IM niche and used a pen name to protect my offline business since it's a 'bitchy' kinda niche. However I'm 99% sure (from buying stuff) my real name is shown anyway since my PayPal account is Premier not business.

Looking for thoughts and what people do. Esepecially if you've got a blog for IM (::: YOURNAME.COM :::) and then sell stuff in other niches which I don't think looks great to customers.

Thanks

Al
#creators #names #pen #product #question
  • Profile picture of the author dave147
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    • Profile picture of the author Jude.A
      Originally Posted by dave147 View Post

      Hi Al,
      It can be confusing to some when they see a different name on the paypal receipt, but most understand that it could just be the PP account that you are using for that offer, or for your special offers. If it is your own paypal account I don't think many would be too bothered when they see a different name.
      I have a similar problem. I'm from Lagos, Nigeria and unfortunately i can't process a paypal account from here. But i know i'll be needing a paypal account for my future wso or other internet related issues, so i use my cousin's paypal account, she's from the U.S and she processes every thing i need to do from there- just like my secretary I just hope when i'm ready, people don't view me as a scam.
      I'm really enjoying this forum
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      • Profile picture of the author Ram
        We use a number of pen names. The PayPal account shows "Business Name LLC" instead of an person's name. Also, the emails have the biz name and address at the bottom, etc.

        The biz name is the "publisher" for all the pen names.
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  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    You can add more email addresses to the premier account and you can also have custom PP pages with different header images.

    The other day I was just testing this: make a buy now button using not the default email and a checkout/payment page. Up till this point it worked:
    the page displays a header with the pen name and at left bottom it shows the alternative email.

    I still have to go through the whole process, i.e. making a payment to see what kind of email will be sent to the buyer and from which address.

    If it works, I will post an update.
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  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    OK, here is the promised update.

    It seems you need to have a business account to avoid displaying your name.

    The first phase worked well:
    - the payment page displays the custom header image, the second email as contact and the payment to be made to; so that was fine

    However, after the payment the real name of the account owner is displayed:
    - in the email sent by paypal
    - in the payment records of the buyer's PP account
    - and to make it worse: clicking on Details the buyer sees your default pp email and the additional one where the payment was sent

    Not as good as I hoped
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    • Profile picture of the author innocent07
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Istvan Horvath View Post

      OK, here is the promised update.

      It seems you need to have a business account to avoid displaying your name.

      The first phase worked well:
      - the payment page displays the custom header image, the second email as contact and the payment to be made to; so that was fine

      However, after the payment the real name of the account owner is displayed:
      - in the email sent by paypal
      - in the payment records of the buyer's PP account
      - and to make it worse: clicking on Details the buyer sees your default pp email and the additional one where the payment was sent

      Not as good as I hoped
      Whats the main difference between a paypal business account and normal account?

      in terms of features
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  • Profile picture of the author Big Al
    Hi Istvan

    Thanks for all your help and coming back.

    I'm kinda in two minds about the whole thing. One one hand - in theory, if you have faith in your product then so what if it has your real name anyway. And even if someone did Google your real name ... there are a ton of people online that share my name ... from web designers and cancer patients to gynaecologists and basketball players.

    Then it's down to that person (if they can be bothered) to find out which one was real.

    On the other hand ...

    I created a product in a martial arts niche, have a fighters profile and career in martial arts and combat sports. It can all get political and heated.

    Not great for reputation until you let the hands do the talking ...

    That said ... my gut feeling isn't great. Will have to think about a Business Account.

    Thanks for everyones contribution!

    Al
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  • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
    Originally Posted by Big Al View Post

    Do you use PayPal as your processor since that then shows your real name afterwards on the receipt that's emailed to you.
    I have a business PayPal account. It has the name of my business on it.
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    "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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