Pen Names

I just try to pick something that suits the niche - something ladylike for recipes, or something macho for home repairs. I always Google any prospective pen names, just to see what comes up. I don't mind being mistaken for a dominatrix, but I'd rather not share a name with a serial killer, for instance.

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Let's just say my real name ain't Jake Daly. And let's also say that I was beaten up when I was younger for being Greek..

*frowny face*

I would always suggest to chose unique name. I once bought a book written by Tom Harper. I bought it in bookstore. When I got home I wanted to find out more about the author and unfortunately it was a pen name and there were real people with that name that came up in google first. Now a few years later, his website is #1 and he has become pretty well known.

Have anyone considered shooting video trailers to promote books?

lol. It's funny you mention that, as in school I once turned in a paper with the name Ruth McBabe as the writer. I stayed quiet for as long as I could, but eventually had to out myself... Teacher got a laugh so I guess it turned out ok lol.

Very smart. I never thought of that idea before. Knocks out half the battle right there, all you have to do is come up with a realistic sounding surname. But of course, you can just pick a country of origin and roll with it. See guys? Nothing to making up names.

You don't have to be like celebrities and come up with all that weird crap.

I think I've seen your work somewhere! Do you work in the education niche? No that's not it. Office supplies, maybe?

Nope, I've got it. You work in beef sales.

You open up a gmail account in the pen name. Add a signature so you don't forget who you are

As the above poster said, a preset signature can help. Personally, I don't find it hard to remember, and don't find myself slipping into my real name. It would take a lot of niches and a lot of pen names to have your brain that addled I would think. Simple mental discipline.

I'd assume it is still legally binding. Legal advice and questions should be directed to your attorney.

I find a friend that wants to be internet famous, and use a picture of them. They love it, and I don't have to use a (sometimes obvious) stock photo.

I assume you have never read the iStockPhoto rules. Who's got time for this anyway!?

For greater certainty, the following are "Prohibited Uses" and you may not: use or display any Content that features a model or person in a manner (a) that would lead a reasonable person to think that such person uses or personally endorses any business, product, service, cause, association or other endeavour; or (b) except where accompanied by a statement that indicates that the Content is being used for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted in the Content is a model, that depicts such person in a potentially sensitive subject matter, including, but not limited to mental and physical health issues, social issues, sexual or implied sexual activity or preferences, substance abuse, crime, physical or mental abuse or ailments, or any other subject matter that would be reasonably likely to be offensive or unflattering to any person reflected in the Content, unless the Content itself clearly and undisputedly reflects the model or person in such potentially sensitive subject matter in which case the Content may be used or displayed in a manner that portrays the model or person in the same context and to the same degree depicted in the Content itself;

iStockphoto License Agreement | iStock

Obviously you can't use stock photos to create fake dating site profile or any profiles at all with someone's name (real of fictious) attached to the picture. This not exactly what we shoot those pictures for!

Seriously, as several others have alluded here, using pen names that have a tie-in with your niche is an excellent branding/marketing tool. It really does confer a subtle but often very effective separation from the competition, and name branding actually is quite a common marketing method among competing commodity products and professions. Especially in hotly competitive markets, the name alone (bold, clever, amusing, provocative, etc) may resonate with prospects louder than any other form of advertising.

I see that some recent e-book offers include: The Guide To Filler Text, by Loren Ipsum and How to Win Elections and Influence Congress, by Lotta Greenstuff

Here's another little known fact. In the US, the pen name was established by William Penn (founder of Pennsylvania)followed by lesser known successors; Thomas Penn, John Penn, Hannah Penn, Margaret Penn, Richard Penn, and Dennis Penn. With the arrival of Sue Denim, however, the pen name became synonymous with pseudonym.

I am in a similar situation. I have a nasty non-compete with my former employer and am going to be marketing leads from a similar list as they do. I can't have any crossover with my real name or even my likeness. If I do it's a major issue financiall and legally due to the BS agreement they made me sign. Story for another day...

I intend to use a lot of video marketing - VSL style - so I'd want to create a complete persona. Anyone actually done this for a similar reason? I'm also getting a job with a local company and want to keep my IM life separate from my "real life". Sounds shady, but that's not where it's coming from...

• Anonymous site through Domains by Proxy
• Email account with that URL (preferrably with the pen name/persona name as the URL)
• Payment gateway in name of LLC with a nominee director

Any other things to consider? I'm looking at marketing a list of 20k people to start and if we even get 4-5 conversions, I'll be hitting up another 20k people a month.

No business partner is involved whose name could be used - it wouldn't help credibility. It's not the IM niche and that is my business partner's specialty and his branding is such.