19 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
19 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

How to use a pen name properly?

by Moneyland
15 replies
I was thinking of using a pen name for a particular e-book I have had created. So I will use the pen name on the ebook cover etc. Where else would I need to use this name? I mean I may need to set up an email address I am thinking with the pen name.

I think what I am trying to ask is that do I use my name in all my dealings from day to day, like say if I deal with suppliers to have a website created, a copywriter to have my sales copy done etc....but then I guess for any receipts of works I would then need to give them a real name??? I am asking as I feel I need to be clear as I may confuse people when I am sometimes operating under my pen name and also in my real name.

Can anyone give me some clues as to how you would properly use a pen name and when.

Many Thanks!
#pen #properly
  • Profile picture of the author dman9969
    Why are you using the Pen Name? Is it to be completely anonymous?

    The reason I ask is because if you want to be completely 100% anonymous, you may want to associate yourself as a marketing person for the e-book, (maybe even set up an LLC or Corporation ) not the author, and the author is the "Pen Name" so that there are not any ties to your Real Name. It really depends on how important it is to keep it seperate.

    *Note, I am not an attorney and don't give legal advice. Call a copywrite attorney and they can help you out completely.

    If you are copywriting the book, you can file the copywrite in the Pen Name with the attorney and have the attorney draw up a legal document that they would keep in their office as a private legal document tying your Real Name to the Pen Name.

    I hope that answers your question.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1865169].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author impact-productions
    I'd suggest that you spend some time working the pen name character into a real individual. So this includes a personal blog, a few forum posts or comments with the pen name, maybe a Twitter account or Facebook profile. Nowadays, it's really common to search for the author of a product before you buy their e-book and try and find out about them, mainly to see if the information they charge for is worth the money. So, anything you can have to support that will help.

    One advantage of using a pen name in this way is that you can come up with an original name, so that you're not fighting with a load of people with the same name for search engine rankings (i.e. imagine if your real name was John Smith).
    Signature

    Get My Exclusive Online FAST Start Training
    Totally FREE For A Limited Time - No Email Optin Required

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1865183].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Moneyland
      Thanks for info here, just still wondering what name people use with suppliers and when they outsource etc??

      Cheers if you can help
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1865301].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author xohaibx
        Originally Posted by Moneyland View Post

        Thanks for info here, just still wondering what name people use with suppliers and when they outsource etc??

        Cheers if you can help
        You can use your pen name everywhere you want, I don't see a problem there. It's not necessary that you use your real name when you're doing business online. It's not even unethical. Just make sure you're ethical on all other grounds too, and you should be good to go.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1865322].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Moneyland
          just wondering if you used your pen name everywhere even to the extent of dealing with suppliers etc how the issue of payments, invoices etc would work, anyone done similar?
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1865434].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author xohaibx
            Originally Posted by Moneyland View Post

            just wondering if you used your pen name everywhere even to the extent of dealing with suppliers etc how the issue of payments, invoices etc would work, anyone done similar?
            You can do it in your company's name if you want to. But again, I don't think this should be a really big issue.
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1866523].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sloanjim
    what about taking payments?

    I do not know....seems a very fine line between being ok and fraud. What's the difference?
    Signature

    15 Minute Forex Bar Trading System Free at
    http://www.fxscalpingmethod.com

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1867107].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author impact-productions
    For payment, set up a company name. This should bear no resemblance to the pen name, or your real name. It's perfectly normal to make payments to a company when purchasing a product.
    Signature

    Get My Exclusive Online FAST Start Training
    Totally FREE For A Limited Time - No Email Optin Required

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1867125].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author badboy_Nick
    Use a pen name if you create a business from writing an ebook. It not only gives you some privacy but also allows you to build a brand from your new name. It's agreat marketingt ool if used correctly so choose something "catchy" as a name, something people will remember.
    Signature
    Read my incredible story: www.affiliatechamp.co.uk
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1867133].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author King Shiloh
    Banned
    You either use your real name in all your serious business transactions online/offline or people will not take you serious.

    The only place I think pen name should be is in your article marketing - that is, submitting articles to ezinearticles.com and other article directories.

    Please don't use pen name everywhere because it may kill your business very fast, especially in the area of accepting payments, establishing trust/credibility, etc.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1867144].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Ram
      We use a lot of pen names. We have a publishing company and that company accepts payment, handles support, has the email accounts, etc.

      The pen names are just the "talent."
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1867606].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        Originally Posted by Ram View Post

        We use a lot of pen names. We have a publishing company and that company accepts payment, handles support, has the email accounts, etc.

        The pen names are just the "talent."
        This is how we handle things, too.

        The pen name goes on the public-facing materials -- the product itself, articles, blog posts, etc. Similar to the way an author would promote a book put out by a publishing company or an actor would promote a movie...
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1867653].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Ram
      Originally Posted by King Shiloh View Post

      You either use your real name in all your serious business transactions online/offline or people will not take you serious.

      The only place I think pen name should be is in your article marketing - that is, submitting articles to ezinearticles.com and other article directories.

      Please don't use pen name everywhere because it may kill your business very fast, especially in the area of accepting payments, establishing trust/credibility, etc.
      In the U.S., pen names or stage names are used all the time. It does not hurt credibility one bit.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1867612].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Raygun
    I have two different niche ventures that I am doing online, therefore using a pen name has been a must. Nick is right when he says to come up with some catchy that people will remember. Think David Deangelo or something like that.
    Signature
    $25,000 Prizes===>>>
    http://clicknbank.com/jv-invite.php
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1867656].message }}

Trending Topics