Pen Name or Real Name? | Bloggers Lair | Yakezie Forums

Do any of you use "fake" or pen names on your site(s)? Or do you go by your real full name? 

I'm assuming it's a mixture of both approaches out there, but wanted to get an idea. I've disclosed my first name and generally go by the moniker "Mr. Utopia" on my site and when commenting on other's posts. I suppose I'm a bit apprehensive about people I know finding my site (as it does contain personal info/stories) as well as my employer/co-workers finding it.

On the other hand, would using a fake name become an issue as your site grows and becomes more popular? Could it ruin your credibility if you're discovered/outed? What if you get asked to do an interview or something along those lines?

I write under my middle name, but have slowly starting incorporating my full name into most of what I write online. PF is a tricky subject since most of us share of our finances, and people are somewhat private when it comes to that.

I've been fortunate enough to have opps because of both of my sites (Thirty Six Months and Chic Darling) , so going out there  with my full name is the next natural step.

I Use my real name and write and publish only stuff I can be proud off (well, most of the time anyway). More seriously, I decided early on that I am not going to be anonymous – it will take about three seconds to trace me anyway. Now, it can be interesting when prospective PhD students I interview mention that they read my blog – and not http://www.maria-nedeva.com which is my personal academic blog. Well, such is life :).

Maria

I use my full name but don't tell people around me about my blog, mostly because I have been writing for many travel blogs for the past few years and every time people ask me about the URL, never check it, and then feel embarrassed they didn't so I just save everyone the trouble. A few people have googled me and found my blog, which I don't mind, I imagine for the few who told me openly they found it there are many who are still reading but not admitting it and I don't really care. The other thing is I live in Guatemala and talk pretty openly (about wealth, about the corruption that drives me crazy, etc.) so it could get me in trouble, that the only reason why I may become anonymous in the future.

I struggled with deciding the best route for this too. My website is http://www.MonicaOnMoney.com so I'm still using my real name but my LinkedIn and Google + show my real name. It works that way for me since people I know are so supportive of my blog.

What's working for everyone else?

Monica

http://www.MonicaOnMoney.com

Daisy is a pen name, and I use it on my finance sites. I am very upfront and honest on my sites, so I don't want to use my real name. But whatever makes you feel the most comfortable. 

I had a guest poster a bit ago (Manda from breakthesky.net) post about why she blogs publicly (I'm shameless: http://add-vodka.com/why-i-don…..onymously/) so that may be helpful to get a whole other view. 

I use my real name now, first and last.  For the first year or so, I was just Crystal at BFS.  But I figured that I was going to make this my full time job and needed to build a reputation with my real name.  Not sure it it helped or not, lol.

My site, obviously has my real name. I'm building a brand with expertise and credibility, thus, it's crucial to use my real name. Additionally, I use my website not only as a blog but a vehicle to develop professional and consulting relationships. I disclose no net worth information. I protect my friends and family when I write about them by sanitizing any details that might expose them. 

Mr. Money Mustache and J Money are the best examples I know of where a pseudonym has worked just fine even after their blogs got big. I started out with a pseudonym, but ended up switching to my real name because it just felt better for me. Just depends on what you want to do.