Is your forum screen name hurting your business?

15 years ago

Originally Posted by David_Thompson

What do you guys think?

Personally, to me screen names, avatars, and the like don't have any impact on how I view anyone else on the forums. Screen names wouldn't sway me either toward or away from a person.

Post count and longevity are more significant when I look at a poster and try to size them up.

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David_Thompson

15 years ago

Originally Posted by faxinator

Personally, to me screen names, avatars, and the like don't have any impact on how I view anyone else on the forums. Screen names wouldn't sway me either toward or away from a person.

Post count and longevity are more significant when I look at a poster and try to size them up.

I've been on here since 2003 and it's only the last 2 or 3 years that I've
really started posting on a regular bases. I first came onto this forum
back in 2002 because of a buddy of mine and didn't register till 2003.

With the rate of spam the forum was getting awhile back when you
see names like the ones I mention about, it does make a difference
on whether you get involve with them or not.

--David

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Andy Money

15 years ago

Hasn't hurt mine, at least I don't think. I don't really have anything to compare it to. Most online communities don't function where your user name is your real name and your avatar is your real picture and that doesn't seem to ruin anyone else's credibility regarding any other hobby/niche.

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Steven Carl Kelly

15 years ago

Originally Posted by mrsleep99

Hasn't hurt mine, at least I don't think. I don't really have anything to compare it to. Most online communities don't function where your user name is your real name and your avatar is your real picture and that doesn't seem to ruin anyone else's credibility regarding any other hobby/niche.

In my case, I'm not worried about forging business relationships here in the forums. I have had one long-term business relationship come out of posting here, but I'm not actively seeking it. Whether or not people find me credible or not based on my screen name is neither here nor there to me.

I post here because I enjoy posting here, and I hope to pick up a tip or two that I haven't thought of, and maybe to help someone else with my own years of online marketing experience.

In fact, who even knows if the names and photos people use are their actual identities in the first place?

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Ken Strong 15 years ago

A while back, like maybe last year (I think it was on the old forum) there was a huge thread on this topic, and instructions were given on how to change your username here. A ton of people changed theirs from funny or nonsense names to their real names at that time.

So there is a way to change your username -- maybe if you contact the Help Desk and ask them?

EDIT: Kat beat me by a couple of minutes.
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- gjd6599 15 years ago
  
  It would be nice if we were able to change our screen names. I have been here for several years. When I signed up it asked for a user name, which I thought would be just for logging in. Silly me!
  
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  Loren Woirhaye 15 years ago
  
  I used to have a "handle" and it took repeated requests but
  eventually I got WF support to change it to my actual name.
  
  If you want to get it changed just ask support.
  
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jacstone193

15 years ago

Originally Posted by faxinator

Personally, to me screen names, avatars, and the like don't have any impact on how I view anyone else on the forums. Screen names wouldn't sway me either toward or away from a person.

Post count and longevity are more significant when I look at a poster and try to size them up.

yes I agree with you here

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learnmore 15 years ago

What's wrong with using a pen name? If people need to know your real name, you can tell them.

A good case can be made for some really difficult names (some folks from non-English speaking countries), wouldn't it help them if they picked Jack instead of their real name. If they used their real name, nobody will be able to pronounce or remember it. Just me two cents. As you can see I use my real name
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Kay King

15 years ago

I'd think you should use the HELP DESK if you want to request a name change.

The old forum had moderators - that is no longer the case so there's no one to make a change if you start a thread about it. If you have just a few posts since joining - just rejoin with your real name. If you want to keep your post count - ask for the change at the help desk.

Using a forum name is a personal choice and some prefer to remain anonymous. The problem arises when someone is giving advice to others and there is no way to know WHO is giving the advice - no name, no site or blog listed.

The "who are you" is important if you try to sell to members here through WSO's or the Classifieds due to the credibility factor.

kay

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Richard Tunnah

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Kay King

I'd think you should use the HELP DESK if you want to request a name change.

The old forum had moderators - that is no longer the case so there's no one to make a change if you start a thread about it. If you have just a few posts since joining - just rejoin with your real name. If you want to keep your post count - ask for the change at the help desk.

Using a forum name is a personal choice and some prefer to remain anonymous. The problem arises when someone is giving advice to others and there is no way to know WHO is giving the advice - no name, no site or blog listed.

The "who are you" is important if you try to sell to members here through WSO's or the Classifieds due to the credibility factor.

kay

Kay...is absolutely correct. I requested my username change last night and today golly I'm revealed in all my 'naked' glory! [

]

Rich

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Chris Lagarde 15 years ago

I just joined this forum, and initially when I registered I flippantly picked my user name. Well, gosh darn it, I like this forum and I will be creating a new identity (since I have so few posts I really don't plan on bothering a mod to change my user name). I'll pick a less wacky user name but it still won't be my birth name.

There are reasons why someone would not want to use their real name, and I'm not thinking criminal. Rather, someone, let's say an accountant, is just entering the IM world and doesn't want to mix up their offline identity with their online IM identity. Prospective clients can easily google your name. Why would you want to blur your personal brand, and the services you provide under that brand, by advertising two different "jobs" you do? Most clients want to believe they are working with an expert who works full time at their one chosen profession.
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- ~kev~ 15 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by tomw
  
  With respect, ~kev~, why not practice the stern words that you are preaching?
  
  Thomas
  
  You dont like my name?
  
  Originally Posted by MaskedMarketer
  
  Maybe hes not a professional, that's why?
  
  Your right, I do not think of myself as a "professional." I am not your "suit and tie" type of person.
  
  My real name is Kevin, but everyone calls me Kev. On a lot of websites I use the "~" for decoration. Kinda like how some people have a fancy signature, drive a nice car, or dress nice - I like how the "~" compliments my name.
  
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- richdirtygirl 15 years ago
  
  Hi
  
  thanks goodness I AM using my real name and avatar or someone could think I'm not serious? lololololololololol
  
  For me... username and avatar are there for the first look... you know... you see a girl/boy and decide it worth to drink something and see what happens...
  
  From there... you have to bring it. :p
  
  Usually those that want to brand their name, will use it. It is a clever move if you have something else to bring to the table besides the name. If not, you are toasted...
  
  Then you have some really cool guys with girls avatars...
  
  And some mysterious ones who want to fight the system from the shadows...
  
  Me? I just want to have fun...
  
  RDG :p
  
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Eric Stanley

15 years ago

This is actually a good point. *IF* I could change my screen name on warrior I would change it to my actual name. When I first signed up, I didn't know what to expect or what the community was like. Looking on it now, I wish I could change it.

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Andy Money

15 years ago

Originally Posted by newyorktrader

This is actually a good point. *IF* I could change my screen name on warrior I would change it to my actual name. When I first signed up, I didn't know what to expect or what the community was like. Looking on it now, I wish I could change it.

Same really, I actually have my name registered on another email but I lost the password and can't get it now. vBulletin lets you change the username from the backend though.

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David_Thompson

15 years ago

Originally Posted by mrsleep99

Same really, I actually have my name registered on another email but I lost the password and can't get it now. vBulletin lets you change the username from the backend though.

Guys here's what to do start a thread asking Allen to change your
screen names to your real name or business name.

We have had a couple threads like that b4 and they have worked
great, I think people on the forum are more open when reading
and responding to names...

--David

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Kat Bartone

15 years ago

newyorktrader,

Back when we had mods, we used to be able to have our screen name changed. I had mine changed oh, maybe a year ago. Not sure how it works now, but you could try to contact Allen and ask him about how you can change it.

- Kat

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Eric Stanley

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Kat Bartone

newyorktrader,

Back when we had mods, we used to be able to have our screen name changed. I had mine changed oh, maybe a year ago. Not sure how it works now, but you could try to contact Allen and ask him about how you can change it.

- Kat

Thanks for the tip. I will try to submit a ticket or something on the matter.

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Dan Ambrose

15 years ago

Originally Posted by newyorktrader

This is actually a good point. *IF* I could change my screen name on warrior I would change it to my actual name. When I first signed up, I didn't know what to expect or what the community was like. Looking on it now, I wish I could change it.

I agree with Eric.

In hindsight, I wish I used my real name. However as it stands, it's not affecting my business.

I also agree with faxinator, that post count and longevity mean more to me than the name itself.

Sometimes it works the other way... scammer can give a full name (doesn't have to be their own) and give off the impression thay are some hot shot... but in actual fact they aren't.

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James Schramko

15 years ago

I notice the non-personal names seem prolific in negative threads. It provides
them a little cover.

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HeySal

15 years ago

People call me the same thing whether it's my screen name or not - Hey..Sal.
I think it's pretty appropriate. My partners, members of my site, general public, and clients all know me as Sal and I am rarely known as anything else. It's a bit informal - but that is me to a tee anyway.

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Simon_Sezs

15 years ago

I think it really depends on what you are doing in the forum. If you are looking to network, then I imagine that a real name should be your user name.

If you are 'branding' yourself to become the next big thing, then you should probably try to become as credible as possible and that would require your real name somewhere down the road as well.

Most of the warrior "lords" and "queens" of the warrior forum won't deal with you unless they can do a background check on you. That would require your name so they can "google" you and find out more about you.

So, obviously, if you want to use the forum to make money and gain credibility with your name AND network, then a username is suggested.....

I personally handle most of my networking relationships at linkedin and this forum is more of a form of entertainment for me. I drop in when I am bored, basically. Sometimes there is good information. Sometimes there isn't.

I am basically into SEM and since this field doesn't require networking in the same dimension as say...selling an ebook or software would, I visit for different reasons. So, to answer the OP's original question, no, my screen name isn't hurting my business because I am not using the WF for monetary gain or networking.....just using it for a fleeting moment of entertainment.

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Zubair Zm

15 years ago

David,
Thanks for this post. I had an opportunity to change my screen name when a long time ago someone had started a thread to change their screen name to their real name.

I have started a thread at http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...reen-name.html to request admin to change screen name to real name if requested.
Good luck
rgds
Zm

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Anthony Smith

15 years ago

Yeah I'm happy I used my real name instead of an aim name or myspace or what have you. Makes me feel more professional, reminds me I'm here working, maybe having a little fun as well, but the main idea, is to WORK.

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David_Thompson 15 years ago

You guys are most welcome the whole thread
came about when someone asked a question
in another thread that I could have answered
but I couldn't find the persons name to reply to
them so I just didn't make a reply...

Which is a shame because they could have learnt
something new or someone could...

--David
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Ben_Curtis

15 years ago

Some avatars scare me............

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Jenni Mac 15 years ago

Originally Posted by Ben_Curtis

Some avatars scare me............

I know the feeling, I can think of at 3 where I either have to scroll past their avatars or just click out and not read what they've said.
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Leanne King

15 years ago

Does it hurt me? I don't know BUT I do know that most people think my name is Jane ... it's not!

Leanne

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esr

15 years ago

I honestly hardly EVER look at the usernames. I recognize posters by their pictures or avatars.

For some reason, they're much easier to remember and recognize.

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melanied 15 years ago

I may get my screen name changed to my real name, but my last name is kind of complicated, that's why I never used it before.

Interesting story, though...

When I realized that I wanted to start a personal blog where I blogged about pop culture, tech, music, web 2.0, life, etc...I thought long and hard about what to name it, and finally settled on my real name. I mean, hey, it's who I am, right? Why not embrace it?

Luckily, I had already had my full name registered and online since 2002 as a simple five page website - a professional portfolio. So I just moved that elsewhere, installed wordpress, imported a bunch of old posts from blurty and myspace blogs and then started making new posts pretty much every day.

Well, as it turns out, Google kinda LOVES old sites. haha. Who knew? (just kidding...I know everyone knows). At any rate, only a couple of months later, it's already getting a few hundred uniques a day with zero promotion.

The point of this story?

IT PAYS TO EMBRACE WHO YOU ARE!
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barrytan

15 years ago

A real name will give others more confidence in your work.

Cheers !

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joblythe

15 years ago

Hi

Because of my first name, I've lost count of the times that people have taken me for a "bloke"!

Don't know if it's good or bad :p

I've now changed my sig and the custom user title just to give a bit of a hint!!

As for an avatar - well - no, we'll not go into that! Let's say I have a face for radio!

All the best,
Auntie JO

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David_Thompson

15 years ago

Have you guys notice the name change of most of the top
players in our industry that are members here most use
their own name...

Frank Kern, John Reese, Mike Filsiame, Paul Myers and sorry
for all the other people that I haven't mention but you guys
see the point I'm making, how powerful you brand can be
whether it's your name or company name...

--David

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~kev~

15 years ago

If you are a professional, then act like it. That includes your avatar, domain name, screen name and email address.

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tomw 15 years ago

Originally Posted by ~kev~

If you are a professional, then act like it. That includes your avatar, domain name, screen name and email address.

With respect, ~kev~, why not practice the stern words that you are preaching?

Thomas
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WebSlicers

15 years ago

Somehow, yes. But for me, their posts matter to me more than anything. If I could get some good advice out of them, then it's worth checking their profile.

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sequincer

15 years ago

very interesting question.
I think the answer's are going to be really relative in nature.

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MaskedMarketer 15 years ago

Originally Posted by James Schramko

I notice the non-personal names seem prolific in negative threads. It provides
them a little cover.

Or people use pen names and/or false pictures.

Its actually very easy to fake identity online.

Originally Posted by tomw

With respect, ~kev~, why not practice the stern words that you are preaching?

Thomas

Maybe hes not a professional, that's why?
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Richard Tunnah

15 years ago

Thanks David. I kept meaning to get my Username changed to 'me'. Now done this. I'm fully revealed! lol

Rich

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Josef_Benjamin

15 years ago

I could careless.

2 much controversy about status quo and what's right or wrong about mundane things.

screen names should not be the top on anybody's rader list, and if it is, you need to be focusing on something more productive like...your business

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Is your forum screen name hurting your business?

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