Should I Use a Pen Name? Article Marketing TIPS From the Trenches I Highly Recommend!
Should I use a pen name, or go with my own?Why do SOME article marketing "gurus" recommend using a pen name...
and others insist it's a terrible mistake?In this article we are going to take a quick and easy look at when using a pen name in your content is ADVISABLE, in my view..
..
and when I think it's a terrible mistake as well! First of all...
understand THIS, right off of the bat: I've written well over 5000 articles, in a multitude of niches, JUST for the directories themselves, that have been the backbone of my own business over the last 2 or 3 years.
For MOST of those articles I've used a pen name.
And when I work with other clients, partners or outsourced agents, I usually recommend THEY use a pen name as well..
...
with one major exception.
The EXCEPTION is, when I'm working in a niche that directly builds my own BRAND.
Then, I usually use my own name, even though I'll occasionally test multiple variations of it as well..
:-) For example?As a teacher, mentor and consultant in the direct response and online marketing industry, I'll obviously attach my own name to my content when I know it's going to be good for building trust, credibility, brand recognition and rapport with my readership.
But, on the other side of the street..
..
as a SUPER affiliate for many different programs that have NOTHING to do with internet marketing, I always use a pen name to protect my name, and my brand from any potential unforeseen problems with the program, or products I'm recommending.
(e.
g.
- i do my own due diligence before promoting something to ensure it complies with my "comfort" level, but unless it's YOUR product..
..
you never know for sure!) The OTHER reason to use a pen name is actually COMPETITIVE in nature: People will watch, spy and unfortunately..
..
sometimes COPY your content.
And if they know that you are successful, and good at what you do, often people will search for your name on the content directories and literally set up a notifier to get an email EVERY TIME you write a new piece of content.
I've had this happen to me on many occasions..
..
..
even when using a name that's not my own.
True it's a great compliment that people think you are worthy of copying..
...
but when your content is all about CASH, as affiliate marketing tends to be, watching the watchers can be a full time business in of itself.
So - my rule?For MEANINGFUL marketing campaigns, always use your own name.
For MERCENARY marketing campaigns - i.
e.
- for generating affiliate sales, a pen name is a good way of adding some layer of anonymity to your efforts, and in my view, as long as it's OKAY with the directories, it's a perfectly smart strategy for me as well!
and others insist it's a terrible mistake?In this article we are going to take a quick and easy look at when using a pen name in your content is ADVISABLE, in my view..
..
and when I think it's a terrible mistake as well! First of all...
understand THIS, right off of the bat: I've written well over 5000 articles, in a multitude of niches, JUST for the directories themselves, that have been the backbone of my own business over the last 2 or 3 years.
For MOST of those articles I've used a pen name.
And when I work with other clients, partners or outsourced agents, I usually recommend THEY use a pen name as well..
...
with one major exception.
The EXCEPTION is, when I'm working in a niche that directly builds my own BRAND.
Then, I usually use my own name, even though I'll occasionally test multiple variations of it as well..
:-) For example?As a teacher, mentor and consultant in the direct response and online marketing industry, I'll obviously attach my own name to my content when I know it's going to be good for building trust, credibility, brand recognition and rapport with my readership.
But, on the other side of the street..
..
as a SUPER affiliate for many different programs that have NOTHING to do with internet marketing, I always use a pen name to protect my name, and my brand from any potential unforeseen problems with the program, or products I'm recommending.
(e.
g.
- i do my own due diligence before promoting something to ensure it complies with my "comfort" level, but unless it's YOUR product..
..
you never know for sure!) The OTHER reason to use a pen name is actually COMPETITIVE in nature: People will watch, spy and unfortunately..
..
sometimes COPY your content.
And if they know that you are successful, and good at what you do, often people will search for your name on the content directories and literally set up a notifier to get an email EVERY TIME you write a new piece of content.
I've had this happen to me on many occasions..
..
..
even when using a name that's not my own.
True it's a great compliment that people think you are worthy of copying..
...
but when your content is all about CASH, as affiliate marketing tends to be, watching the watchers can be a full time business in of itself.
So - my rule?For MEANINGFUL marketing campaigns, always use your own name.
For MERCENARY marketing campaigns - i.
e.
- for generating affiliate sales, a pen name is a good way of adding some layer of anonymity to your efforts, and in my view, as long as it's OKAY with the directories, it's a perfectly smart strategy for me as well!
Source...