Discussing the Pro's & Con's of using the same name everywhere

19 replies
I would love to start a discussion about the Pro's & Con's of using the same username on all different forums and accounts you make...

Or is it better in some cases to have different names so people can not associate you with other places..

Personal preference? Or just playing it smart?
#con #discussing #pro
  • Profile picture of the author icegin
    It seems to me that if you offer good advice/services/products/whatever and have a recognisable username, then you can build a decent reputation. If you want to market to people, establishing yourself as a trustworthy individual is invaluable.
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  • Profile picture of the author apwn
    I have the same username everywhere I go. It's good to create a virtual "brand". If people see your username they immediatly know who you are. But you should use one that is not likely to be common.

    If you prefer some anonymity I would change it on every forum
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  • Profile picture of the author Halcyon
    It depends on your purpose. If you're trying to establish yourself as an expert or authority, then of course you'd want to plaster your name in as many places as possible.

    If you're working across several niches or you have other reasons for "not letting the left hand know what the right is doing" then you separate.

    In my opinion there really isn't much to consider, either you want your reputation to follow you or you don't.
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  • Profile picture of the author ExpertSEOServices
    I agree with the post above if you are trying to create a brand for yourself and get known as an expert in a certain niche then using the same name everywhere is good.
    I also think using a company name is good and gives you a reputable stand.
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  • Profile picture of the author madscientist
    very good points here! i feel that it's good for branding your name like most people say but at the same time there might be certain places that you want to keep out of your reputation by using a different username

    thanks again for all the input
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    For a site that you enjoy and want to create a long-lasting business from, you would probably want to use your own real name... if this is something that you want to be associated with.

    If you're creating sites for the sole purpose of getting sales quickly and easily... you should probably create a pen name.
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    • Profile picture of the author Lucy Writes
      Some people may want to separate their business interests from their personal interests, especially if those interests conflict or if they would prefer their business contacts to not be privy to their persona lives. There is something to be said for not mixing business with pleasure. In those cases, it might be best to have a business name and a personal name, and make the two names different and not connect them to each other in any way.
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      • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
        I do use my name everywhere that I go. Sometimes it is MissTerraK and sometimes it is Terra Kern and at most places it is both. I think that both are synonymous.

        I guess I do this because I am the same person both in my personal life and in my business life. I do this simply because I am who I am and it seems to me personally, that trying to be 2 different people would be too much of a bother.

        I never really have thought about creating a pen name and I think that comes down to personal choice for everyone.

        I don't believe either one is bad or good within themselves, it merely comes down to the intentions and purpose behind a having a pen name. There's where the "bad" could come into play.

        Terra
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        • Profile picture of the author ShanaRN
          I use the same username on forums for business/marketing related. If I were on groups that were just for chitchat, etc I could see using an alias username. There is such a fine line with business/personal things online, sometimes it is hard to decide. I want to be open and honest, but also keep certain things private.
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  • Profile picture of the author halo3
    personally i always try to use a diff username in each site, its better in case you're playing on both sides of the fence
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  • Profile picture of the author Flores
    Originally Posted by madscientist View Post

    I would love to start a discussion about the Pro's & Con's of using the same username on all different forums and accounts you make...

    Or is it better in some cases to have different names so people can not associate you with other places..

    Personal preference? Or just playing it smart?
    You are a brand online. You develop that brand with every interaction you have. If you are doing something shady, then maybe different names and information would be the way to go, all though I do not recommend it. Maybe even if your are purporting to be an expert it a different niche somewhere else, you might change your name. But, if you are just on another forum, and you are not doing anything weird, keep it the same. No need to switch, and it will help people recognize and build trust when the see your same stuff in other areas. Hope that helped.
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  • Profile picture of the author weekendmarketer
    Using the same name helps you establish a brand. If you have a history of good products,then people know that hey this guy always shares gold.
    Just my 2 cents
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  • Profile picture of the author Jere Kuisma
    Only reason that I could think of to have different usernames is if you are doing something shady. Otherwise I don't see ANY point of why to not use same username.

    As mentioned above, people might start to recognize you in different communities and see that you are a part of things.
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  • Profile picture of the author damasgate
    I think that you shouldn't use the same name for completely unrelated niches

    for example the same name for a group of health info product sites like (curing psoriasis, tinnitus, acid reflux), shouldn't be the same name that promotes product about dating guides.

    I think people will be confused an you will lose credibility.

    Although some grouping kind of make sense.

    Eben pagan uses David Deangelo to promote his dating products.
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  • Profile picture of the author madscientist
    Thanks everyone for sharing your opinions

    Let's take this a step further..

    How about your real name VS an artist (fake) name VS a company or group name (even if it's only you)
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  • Profile picture of the author Entrecon
    I use my same name everywhere. It is pretty unique so it is usually available. It also makes it real easy for me when I visit a site I haven't been to in a couple of years to remember my user name!
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  • Profile picture of the author Simon Ashari
    Absolutely nothing wrong with a pen name.

    And no, it doesn't mean you are doing something shady.

    It just might mean that you don't want someone in one niche googling your name and getting info from another niche.

    Eben Pagen (who in the dating market is 'David DeAngelo') used a pen name in that for the purpose of having an alliterate name. Just one example.

    -Simon
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  • Profile picture of the author itek4bux
    I like the idea of using the same name as it builds a "brand".
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  • Profile picture of the author Pauline Bennett
    I always use the same name as I want to build up my brand
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