Online Identity

[Lynn Terry]

Welcome Randall

I rarely do article marketing in that particular way. Not blasting hundreds out, at least. I prefer to do Guest Blogging for my content marketing strategy - more bang for the buck. ;-)

[rhelling]

lol...well good to know. I think you're the only "real" online internet marketer to tell me that. ;-)

[Lynn Terry]

Unfortunately a lot of "marketers" teach a method as a business. The business is not in the method.

This post is almost 2 years old now, but still relevant - and goes into detail on what I mean:

http://www.clicknewz.com/2548/method-madness/

[Cliff Michaels]

Well I guess there's been plenty of 'great' answers for the OP's original concern, but If I might just add another thought... When I was in the music business, it was common to use a 'stage' name. It was primarily done to 'shorten' long names, or help with pronunciation.

I used a middle name, as others have referred to. And yes, I do not wish for the rest of the world, family, friends, associates, etc. to know my 'all' my business by just Googling my 'real' name. So I maintained my 'musician' name.

So, now I'm in this business... Who's to know, or even care whether my last name is 'this' or 'that'. If I'm going to build trust and create a relationship with my list, it will be build on whatever name I use. As long as what I provide to them is 'real', 'helpful', 'what they need/want', and I do what I say I'm going to do.

Isn't it common for writers to use 'pen' names? Isn't it common for people in show business to use another name? Just give people what they need, and it won't matter if your name is ... humpty dumpty.

And one last thing.... if you use an autoresponder, and if you're serious about this business, you eventually will, your 'address' is given at the end of every email... by law.

Good Luck

Cliff 'Michaels'

[Lynn Terry]

Welcome Cliff

And one last thing.... if you use an autoresponder, and if you're serious about this business, you eventually will, your 'address' is given at the end of every email... by law.'

I highly recommend using a PO Box or something similar. ;-)

[Cliff Michaels]

Welcome Cliff

I highly recommend using a PO Box or something similar. ;-)

Hi Lynn,

Thanks for the welcome... Lynn, I've thought about the PO Box. But I've
tossed something back and forth with that...

I've seen some well-known players NOT use a PO, and some that DO.

I ask myself if a PO Box looks 'shady' to some eyes? Or is it just me?
I can't quite decide yet.

So, if someone decides to come knocking at my door... and if they have
a smile on their face, I'll admit to being me.... if they're not smiling, I'll
just have to inform them the Cliff moved years ago from this address.

Thanks Lynn - Glad to be aboard.

Cliff

[angienewton]

I highly doubt those well known players are using a real address most of the time! I don't think using a P.O. box is shady at all, just smart when it comes to online security. That's my take on it anyway

[Chris2]

Great input, everyone!

Cliff - I totally agree with you that if you offer value, people won't care what your name is. I haven't used my real name hardly at all since 2001 (only on my driver's license and such things). To people I personally know, very few know or care what my real name is. With writing, pen names are very common and practically expected.

To some, using a P.O. Box may seem shady, but the truth is it is becoming so much the "norm" these days that I think people will come to care less and less about that. I've used a P.O. Box for years, personally, and I guess I've just gotten use to it, so no big deal to me. I am female and have lived alone for almost 30 years. I've used a P.O. Box for the past 16 for privacy and safety reasons.

Another fact is that even CEO's for brick and mortar businesses don't use their home addresses anyway, they use an office or business address and no one cares, right? So, to me, an online company or business (or anyone who works from home) should have the right NOT to give out a home address.

I believe that if you provide great content on your site, and are sincere in what you offer, that sincerity will come through in the writing. As long as you don't sound like a snake-oil salesman and you offer something of value, people will have some degree of respect for you/your site/your business and probably won't think twice about whether or not you have a P.O. Box. Just my .02.

[CarolineJ]

Chris - I've just found this really interesting thread of yours and tonight I promised myself that I would get to bed before Midnight. Sooo, I'm going to be disciplined and go to bed and resume my reading tomorrow.

I would like to add my 10p o'worth to the discussion.

Good Night!
Caroline

[Chris2]

Caroline - Great! I'm looking forward to your 10p worth!