Thanks for looking out.  I'm sure if someone wanted to, they could dig around and find out info on anyone.

Hi Amanda,

Good for you.  As for me, I don't think I could work at a newspaper.  Too brutal for my blood.  Haha.

Hi Suba,

I agree, but it's kind of sad that a future employer would look down on a blogger.  Perhaps we should band together to turn this around.  Hard working, dedicated, able to multitask and time manage.  All sound like valuable traits to me!

Hey Kay,

Since my situation isn't as defined as others, I'm trying my best to find my sweet spot.  I am doing this a lot lately with all facets of my life.

Hey Flexo,

Thanks for your insight.  Good to know, Matt Groening should be flattered!

Congrats on your excellent brand. Guess I know where you stand, but do you feel your path would have been easier if you had used your real name?

 

The journey would probably have been somewhat easier, as I feel there is a very small minority of people who just write me off due to the unprofessional sounding handle.

So now I sign a lot of my emails to potential business partners, the media, and other professionals as Luke.

Since my background is not in finance, and I did not have any prior standing as a writer or as someone within finance, using my real name from the beginning wouldn't have added anything in the beginning, but using a name as fake-sounding as Flexo might have slowed down my progress. Nevertheless, it's here to stay until I get a C&D from Matt Groening.

Actually, if someone "really" wants to find out about any of us, they can. We give enough information (even though we "think" we have been absolutely anonymous) to figure out the basics and guess the rest. For most internet users, they can't figure out, but if someone decides to figure out, they can. So there is no true anonymity. 

The newspaper readers keep me on my toes, but they also make my stomach twist some Monday mornings:). I think I learn more about writing and journalism from my newspaper readers (which makes sense) and more about ideas and ways people are saving money through my personal blog readers. Either way, it certainly rounds me out as a writer.

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Buck Inspire said:

Hey Amanda,

I guess it's logical readers be more brutal and honest behind the safety of a computer.  Do you have a general preference to newspaper readers vs personal blog readers?  I'm guessing you need to say you like both, but since both are so different, they would have their own pros and cons.

 

 

This was the same thought I had until I saw how easy it was to find people's names. Simply type in anyone's domain name in front of w3spy.net and it will show who registered the domain. 

 

Buck Inspire- I checked for you, and you're covered. Well played...

That's great that the readers who know you hold you accountable.  If they didn't know you I'm thinking it would be easier for you to slip.

Hi FGA,

I never thought about potential employers thinking you wouldn't take your job seriously.  Are you actively seeking a book deal?

Hi Miss T,

You live in a small city, but do you get into really personal issues about yourself?  Don't mind me as I am just talking it out for myself, too.  I'm sharing things about personal finance and some fun stuff along the way, but I don't really get too personal.  Maybe some silly stories and lessons along the way, but nothing too embarrassing, I think.  I don't think it would be too awkward if others knew what I did, but I guess I won't know until I cross that bridge.

Interesting question about one's reaction to different writers.  If the content is compelling, I would react the same.

Hey Amanda,

I guess it's logical readers be more brutal and honest behind the safety of a computer.  Do you have a general preference to newspaper readers vs personal blog readers?  I'm guessing you need to say you like both, but since both are so different, they would have their own pros and cons.

My husband is also very private and I don't think he would like people looking us up and cyber stalking us.  I have a handful of people who know it's me (close friends) but in general I prefer staying on the down low.

If I ever got a book deal or something that could make up for the salary from my day job, well, that's another story. I'd come out in a heartbeat.

I have learned from the brutal commenters (specifically a grammar mistake, a different thought process nestled in with crude language, etc.), but I have also thought about how mean people can be when they type from a computer instead of talk to me about their opinion. Blogging at a newspaper is much different from blogging at a personal website; I post the same content on each (the newspaper site and my personal site) and get wildly different reactions consistently.

People seem to like to see who is behind each article.  Each time I post a controversial post (most of them on the topic of Dave Ramsey) my "About" page gets the most visitors.  I don't think my "about" page does much to boost my credibility on a topic, though, as it's easy to see my profile and click away once you read "college student."  

It would be interesting to see the difference in reaction with an "About" page with a 40-50 year old person, and then one who is supposedly a 20-something.  Or maybe a personal finance blog with a financial analyst as the supposed author, and another with a stay at home mom.  

Do you think your brutal readers have made you stronger?

Hi Andrea,

Good point, readers might be laughing, but you can't hear them, haha!

Hi Penny,

Totally understand you using an alias to protect your husband's business and it's great you found personal relationships to offset the negative readers.  Guess we can't please everyone and I just have to accept that.  Thanks!

I also share private information that I'd be less likely to share if I were to go public with my identity.

I don't think that I connect with readers less because I have a pseudonym (Penny Saver) and I am certainly easy to contact privately. I've developed quite a few personal relationships from the blog!

As for criticism, I've gotten some negative comments. I try to explain myself, but not everyone thinks the way I do and I can't expect that everyone will agree with the way I do things. Sometimes it is unpleasant, especially when I feel like things I've posted are taken out of context or misunderstood. I try to reply as positively as possible, but I have a small group of those personal relationships I've made on the blog and I do bitch behind the scenes with them! :)