Should I use my real name (personal name) when starting an online business? – privacy/safety reasons?
Apr,28
at2:51 pm
byadmin
I’d like to start an online business on the side, but I don’t know whether I should use my real personal name (e.g. John Smith to John Davidson) to protect my private life.
There’s nothing illegal or immoral about my business, just that I wouldn’t want family members, friends and everyone else be able to google my name and find everything about me and what I’m doing, or for my business product buyers to locate were I live throu yellow pages, etc… with a real name it’s quite easy to find anyone nowadays.
Which brings me to my next point, safety. That’s the other reason I’m considering using a different last name. Perhaps I may be over reacting?
My business niche: I’m gonna be selling self-help audio CDs + books using websites and video promotions with me explaining the programs.
I noticed that most celebrities use a different name in show biz all the time, and so does other well known internet marketers and other self-help gurus online like David DeAngelo from DoubleYourDating; he uses other names in other niches.
Honestly, I kinda find this a little dishonest, but I also understand the necessity and the advantages of doing so in certain business situations. That’s why I’m torn about this and I need your point of view… Do you find this unethical, illegal… or normal and practical in the business world? Thanks for your input.
This is an interesting question, but I will speak from personal experience. I started my coaching practice using the name Courageous Living. Then, after just a few months, I started realizing that no one cares about your business name unless you are a BIG business. I stayed away from using my name at first, because it is long and easily misspelled. Most online marketers use their name, and here’s why. People buy from people, when you are a solo-preneur you want people to connect with you, get them to know, like and trust you and you’ll quickly develop an audience and a following.
I find being authentic in your business is the best way to go. Do what you feel in your heart is the right thing for you. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. You are going to have critics no matter what you do, so if your family googles you – let your light shine. You have every right to be out there marketing yourself. Critics will only arise because they don’t have the courage to do what you are doing.
Best of luck!
Andrea
This is an interesting question, but I will speak from personal experience. I started my coaching practice using the name Courageous Living. Then, after just a few months, I started realizing that no one cares about your business name unless you are a BIG business. I stayed away from using my name at first, because it is long and easily misspelled. Most online marketers use their name, and here’s why. People buy from people, when you are a solo-preneur you want people to connect with you, get them to know, like and trust you and you’ll quickly develop an audience and a following.
I find being authentic in your business is the best way to go. Do what you feel in your heart is the right thing for you. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. You are going to have critics no matter what you do, so if your family googles you – let your light shine. You have every right to be out there marketing yourself. Critics will only arise because they don’t have the courage to do what you are doing.
Best of luck!
Andrea
References :
http://www.andreacostantine.com
Hi Ernesto,
I would use a makeup business name – that will become your new online name – it will be safer that way. when ever you need a name – it will be ________.com – what ever you choose.
While you are at it, check out this site: It will give you all you need to get any online business going, but you will need to do some home work, and you will need to do some sole searching for the kind of business you want. By the way, this isn’t a pie in the sky scam site. You don’t have to buy anything from this site, although their is an e-book on it that has all you need to know to do it right and you can resale this e-book as many times as you want. So may I suggested a free hosted website that will tell you where you can get a website and setup it up – this is free also, and there are lots of free tips and more their:
http://www.gobuy.synthasite.com
What ever you do, become a master at it (any one who wants to be a master needs to put in about 10,000 hours perfecting it), Only do what you truly enjoy doing! What are you good at? If you are creative – do art, or write about something you believe in on a blog and ask for donations, or if you are a tech type – create websites and sale them to people who don’t know how… etc.
Good Luck…
the cleaner
References :