Personal privacy and entrepreneurship

[mert]

Hi all - this is slightly off topic...

There seems to be two types of entrepreneurs: 1) those that have no problem identifying their real names, that have a personal blog, use twitter, and so on, and 2) those that try to hide their identity online. After reading some info about privacy and identity theft I am getting a bit paranoid. On the other hand I see a lot of successful entrepreneurs go out of their way to build a public online presence (Tim Ferriss, Loic Le Meur and many more). I can see that having an online presence can help to build trust and credibility but at the same time it can take away from your privacy. I have been thinking about starting a personal blog but I've been holding off... What do you think? Do things like personal blogs, twittering and revealing your name in forums help with your business?

[Sven]

Yes, I think it does.

Why would I believe anyone who hides behind an unreal name, take him/her serious?

Most people do not dare to step out of hiding, as you experience at the moment. If you do, you will get noticed. People always look at people that do things others do not. If you do that stuff with honest intentions it will probably pay off.

But remember, there will be no turning back!

[Stallion]

A lot of people online use fake pen names. The name you use isn't value, but the brand you build around it.

[Sven]

It may prove hard to become yourself if you have created a person as a brand.

"I am "real name", the person behind "brand name". Really! Oh yeah? Prove it!

That will take a lot of branding skills...

[JamesC]

It may prove hard to become yourself if you have created a person as a brand.

"I am "real name", the person behind "brand name". Really! Oh yeah? Prove it!

That will take a lot of branding skills...

Is there a reason, other than bragging rights, to prove you're the real person behind the brand?

[mert]

True, you might not need to reveal your real identity although if you already have some professional credentials, they might help to build your brand. In my case I'm a university professor so my past research and other activities, which are already public, can help to show my expertise in my field. Also, if you ever get to the point where you are giving personal interviews, etc. it might be difficult to hide your real identity.

[dvdwlsh]

There's a more important distinction to make here. Rather than deciding whether or not to reveal yourself and create a public image, it's far more important to decide if the person you are is one you're prepared to extend online.

The massive mistake people make is to attempt to represent a persona online that is simply incongruous with who they actually are. If you're an irreverent dick in the world, be prepared to be that online and at real-world events... and people will love it, or at least appreciate your confidence. If you're shy face-to-face, don't be outgoing face-to-camera, since you'll have a hard time maintaining that when rubber hits road.

I will say this: it's perfectly respectable to allow your aspirations to permeate the image you convey. Sometimes the image you present to the world creates a positive expectation you can "live into". Just be genuine and a sustainable brand will emerge. If you're not self-assured enough to be congruent across mediums, you may find yourself more comfortable living behind the scenes.

Imagine this: you're an American gent walking along in the park, finishing up a phone chat with a friend traveling France. Just before you hang up, you jokingly say au revoir with a bit of an accent. A stunning woman walking alongside you, clearly intrigued, inches closer and says "Oh, are you French?" While any rational person would quickly explain they are not, in fact, French... you decide instead to feign a terrible French-turned-American accent. You make up clever stories about missing your family back home and your distaste for American wines.

Before you know it, you have set an expectation for who you are. Though it did manage to get you a date with a stunning woman, you are now in the exhausting position of maintaining and guarding this persona every time you see her. It's only a matter of time before you're revealed as a fraud and lose your chance with a woman that may have just liked you more for the person you actually are.

Yes, far fetched, but you get my point.

Au revoir ;)

[JamesC]

Not to hijack the thread, but...

This brings up an interesting question I've been wondering and have done some research on, but not enough to get a definitive answer.

Does anyone know the legal issues surrounding creating a "fake" person for branding/image purposes?

It seems they can be a real face with a romantic story behind it (Tom from MySpace) or outright fabrications (Betty Crocker).

[Stallion]

Fake names are fine as long as you're not using it as a means of defrauding or to pretend to be someone else. Pen names ( fake names) are actually more common than you'd think. You see it more in Hollywood. Tom Cruise for example isn't his real name. It's essentially a pen name. His name is Thomas Cruise Maganadfajdf. Well that's not really his last name, but it's something that doesn't sound good. They call them stage names.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stage_name

[maxpr]

If you are based in the US you may want to check into DBAs.

Basically, you register a pseudonym (Doing Business As) with the county you do business in, if I remember correctly. There is probably far more to it but it gives you a certain level of anonymity. Also, if you incorporate there are a few levels of privacy protection, as well as financial protection. It all really depends on how much trouble you want to go through and how much money you are willing to spend for privacy.

If you are online, remember most domain providers can also provide (for a small fee) privatized domain contacts.

This is my first post, sorry if my answer stinks or if I did not understand the original question well enough.

[Live Free]

Although I have a non-de-plume here, it is not because I am trying to hide my identity. My online muse has my real name and signature on it, as does the program I sell. The reason I use my real name is simply because I will feel silly getting up to speak at a seminar and be introduced by a fake name! Especially if someone I know is in the room. Could lead to credibility issues. I am the same in the digital world as I am in the real world, so there is no reason for me to create a sub-persona.

However, if you are not comfortable using you real name, then don't. I agree it is a personal decision.

[maxpr]

Although I have a non-de-plume here, it is not because I am trying to hide my identity. My online muse has my real name and signature on it, as does the program I sell. The reason I use my real name is simply because I will feel silly getting up to speak at a seminar and be introduced by a fake name! Especially if someone I know is in the room. Could lead to credibility issues. I am the same in the digital world as I am in the real world, so there is no reason for me to create a sub-persona.

However, if you are not comfortable using you real name, then don't. I agree it is a personal decision.

I agree, I believe in transparency when it comes to business.

For legal reasons, however, and this depends on the size of your organization or income level, you can always form an LLC (once again if you are based in the US) if you feel it is necessary. As far as I know there is a fee of a few hundred dollars (depending on the state you reside OR do business in, as you can incorporate in another state for tax reasons etc. that you do not reside in or may not physically do business in, ex: Delaware Corp., but I am not very knowledgable in that area). However, sometimes the state requires you to have a sizeable insurance policy for your business when you apply. Something to check into if you are interested, might need to consult a lawyer, fun fun :)

But if you are selling a program online, especially training programs/manuals, I would never buy from someone if they didn't "exist". (That was for the original poster, not you Live Free). A privatized domain, like I stated previously, is a good route to go.

If you are selling goods or have other businesses, I would consider the LLC route but more for financial protection than privacy.

[Lachlan]

Many ideas from this 1997 Fast Company article are still applicable.

You may even notice a few ideas that Tim mentioned in his book.

The Brand Called You (http://www.fastcompany.com/node/28905/print)

[Caesar_X]

David D'Angelo made several million dollars selling his 'Double Your Dating" advice products. And several years ago, he rebranded himself and has built up another multi-million dollar company as Eben Pagan. Who knows if that's his new name. And who cares? His customers sure don't seem to care.

Almost every big Hollywood star in the past used a stage name. You think Marilyn Monroe was her real name? :)

If you want to keep your privacy (and I can imagine why you would), just start creating a different online persona for yourself.

Once you build an actual business that is making you money, then you can worry about legal names, DBA and such. Don't let it be a stopper to you feeling comfortable about what you are doing.

[adios pantalones]

Nothing wrong with a pen name, stage name or marketable handle.

Ever heard of Bono, Slash, Cher or Madonna?

There are any number of Hinklebert Dorkmeirs out there doing business as Buck Slickrock.