Would a Pen Name in this case be unethical?

10 replies
I have found a very popular website in my niche that would get my content exposed to thousands of people, and a very good possibility of syndication.

However, on this particular website you need to be an expert. Although my content is very high quality, I don't write it myself. All my content, articles, blog posts and even my email follow ups, are outsourced by a genuine expert in the niche.

With most websites, they only require your name and profile picture. However, this particular site requires your phone number, contact email, your experience and a short bio of yourself.

Do you think it would be unethical to make a "Pen Author Profile" in this case? Or do you believe it doesn't matter as long as the content is amazing?
#case #pen #unethical
  • Profile picture of the author Joseph Robinson
    Banned
    Why not just profile the expert that you are getting the content from, and still link back to your site?
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  • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
    Originally Posted by GoodnightSweetRatRace View Post

    I have found a very popular website in my niche that would get my content exposed to thousands of people, and a very good possibility of syndication.

    However, on this particular website you need to be an expert. Although my content is very high quality, I don't write it myself. All my content, articles, blog posts and even my email follow ups, are outsourced by a genuine expert in the niche.

    With most websites, they only require your name and profile picture. However, this particular site requires your phone number, contact email, your experience and a short bio of yourself.

    Do you think it would be unethical to make a "Pen Author Profile" in this case? Or do you believe it doesn't matter as long as the content is amazing?
    Since I don't know the niche or the website, it's impossible to give you a specific answer, so I'll give you a general one.

    Generally, it's not unethical to use a pen name (they are used all the time) if the content you're giving is valuable. However, if the website you're referring to does not allow pen names, then don't use one. It would be unethical to claim you are a medical doctor and give medical advise under a pen name "Dr. Smith" if you weren't one.

    So the answer is, it depends.

    RoD
    Signature
    "Your personal philosophy is the greatest determining factor in how your life works out."
    - Jim Rohn
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    • Originally Posted by Rod Cortez View Post

      Since I don't know the niche or the website, it's impossible to give you a specific answer, so I'll give you a general one.

      Generally, it's not unethical to use a pen name (they are used all the time) if the content you're giving is valuable. However, if the website you're referring to does not allow pen names, then don't use one. It would be unethical to claim you are a medical doctor and give medical advise under a pen name "Dr. Smith" if you weren't one.

      So the answer is, it depends.

      RoD
      It's a website that involves dating/relationship advice.

      I suppose I could always ask my writer, but I'm not sure if he would be comfortable with having somebody post content under his name.
      Signature

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  • Profile picture of the author stan07
    I can't see using a pen name as being a problem as most organisation's are aware of this and don't usually have a problem, however I do believe honesty is the best route. Surely you have something interesting contnected to your content you could write in your bio. Hope you get the answer you are looking for.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bruce NewMedia
    Originally Posted by GoodnightSweetRatRace View Post


    With most websites, they only require your name and profile picture. However, this particular site requires your phone number, contact email, your experience and a short bio of yourself....
    Just personally, I find that quite a bit to 'invent' for a pen name....

    On the other hand, I'm thinking many legitimate experts may not want to publicize all that information either? Have you ever contacted the site owner and made inquiry as to what's acceptable or optional?
    _____
    Bruce
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    • Profile picture of the author Tangycontent
      Originally Posted by Bruce NewMedia View Post

      Just personally, I find that quite a bit to 'invent' for a pen name....

      On the other hand, I'm thinking many legitimate experts may not want to publicize all that information either? Have you ever contacted the site owner and made inquiry as to what's acceptable or optional?
      _____
      Bruce
      I agree with Bruce - coughing up your email is one thing (you can make a disposable one pretty easy) but your phone number? I've written millions of words of content for guest posts and blogs and I've never once had a client ask me for my phone number.
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      • Profile picture of the author mtip
        I think that even if the content is ghost written but you own the copyrights to it, you can claim it as yours. in this case you can publish it under your name (or pseudonym). However, it doesn't hurt to ask your author, if he/she wouldn't like to have the content published under their name with a link to your site. If he/she isn't interested, then go for the pseudonym (if the site allows it but in today's public world I would never consider a site, yes, Facebook included, where they don't allow to use a pseudonym, so if this particular site doesn't allow pseudonyms, don't risk your real information with them.)
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        • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
          Originally Posted by mosthost View Post

          Imagine there actually being something called 'dating experts.' That's more ridiculous than you using a fake name to register at this site.
          There are true 'dating experts' - they're usually called 'escorts', though...

          Judge: What is your name, young lady?

          Woman: Jasmine Duitall, sir.

          Judge: And what do you do for a living, Miss Duitall?

          Woman: I date.

          Judge: How can you make a living by dating?

          Woman: I'm a GREAT date...

          :p
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  • Profile picture of the author Aswad
    Some of Gurus want to keep you as loyalty as ever. In this case I dont really know how honest the person is
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  • Profile picture of the author mosthost
    Imagine there actually being something called 'dating experts.' That's more ridiculous than you using a fake name to register at this site.

    If the content is good and you're pretty sure people won't break up after reading it, then lie your way in

    Actually, read their TOS and see what ramifications, if any, could ensure from you using a pen name and then proceed from there. I'd probably choose a less high-faluting place to put your article.
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