Should I Use a Pen Nom De Plume?

You are going to hear very different opinions. There, probably, isn't any disadvantage in using a pen name for a certain niche: many people use different pen names for different niches... otherwise they could come across as an know-it-all persona.

Many "famous" internet marketers became known by their pen name.

I can't think of many cons for using a pen name, except that you are not able to brand yourself/your real name as an expert. However, there are pros to using them. Keeping your niches separate is a big one. If you do all of your marketing under a single name, it will be very easy for others to know every niche you are in, meaning they can duplicate your work with little effort.

There's one big disadvantage. If/when you have more than one niche, using the same name for them can detract from your perceived credibility. Many people will wonder, if they find out that the expert on home desalination technology is also the expert on cauliflower soup recipes, whether that person is really an "expert" or "just a marketer" who will sell anything from which s/he can earn commissions.

Unless you're already known in your real name, before you start, as an expert on a particular subject, I see no advantage to using it.

Earlier conversations here on this subject have always produced posts from people opining that it's somehow "more personal" or "more authentic" to use your real name. This "point" seems entirely illogical to me, resting as it does, for any validity, on the completely self-defeating assumption that the readers/customers know that it's a real-name rather than a pen-name. But if this thread continues for long enough, you'll doubtless be seeing that circular argument offered.

I agree with the posters above and would like to also add that there are simply some niches that you would not want you own name associated with. I am no just talking about smutty niches (which none of us should be in anyway). Even those niches regarding health issues can be sensitive. For example, if you are a guy, writing about postpartum pregnancy blues can seem a bit odd.

Phil G

I'd say if you have a primary or established niche, your real name is appropriate. You may attend a conference focused on that niche and want to present yourself by name- your real name, not a fake 'internet name'.

....however, in niches you have little or no connection to, and don't plan on having any, pen names make a lot of sense. Alexa's example is a good one too. It's hard to appear as an expert in wildly different disciplines.
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Bruce

Great answers, thanks all.
Hmmm.....this seems like an opportunity to shed my boring name and adopt a sexy pen name! Sorry Mom!

My pen name is Bic Papermate.