Pen Names and Aliases
A lot of authors use a pen name or alias when writing. The practice is completely acceptable, but what are the pen name strategies you should be using?
Pen name strategy? Sounds strange hunh? We have Internet marketing Stategy, Blog Marketing Stragy, PPC Strategy, and a number of other things that requiore a strategy, but a pen name strategy?
Yes. Many of you have more than one business and more than one topic you write about. I have heard clients that say they use a different pen name for each topic because if they put out articles on a lot of topics and all under the same pen name, they feel people will not think they are focused on just their topic.
They feel that these potential customers will view them as a jack of all trades and an master of none.
This is sound reasoning right? For some people it might be the answer. It only applies to people that find your articles by typing in your name or your pen name though.
Most people find your articles due to the generic search terms you used in the article. So when they find your article about chrome reverse muffler bearings, they have no idea you also wrote an article about the use of blinker fluid in 2007 mercedes benzes.
The use of several pen names also makes your branding more difficult. Your name or the pen name you choose is just like a brand. You want a lot of search engine results for your brand. If you try to promote 10 different brands, you will be less successful at branding than someone who only promotes one brand.
Using the same pen name all the time gets you more search results for your brand. Choose whether or not you will use your name or you will use a pen name and stick with it and you’ll soon see thousands of results for your brand.
Now, for larger companies, this advice might not apply. You don’t want your employees using their names on articles they are writing to promote your buisiness.
What if they quit? What if you fire them? You alloowed them to brand their name to your company. It can be messy.
So for larger companies, you need to create a fictional name. A fictional author of all articles you write or have written for your company.
The better method is to use the owner’s name if the business is owned by one person. But even CEOs leave comnpanies, so you don’t want it in their name either.
SO you see? There is really such a thing as Pen Name Strategy. remember you heard it here first. 
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About the Author: 
Thank you for the article. Your notes were beneficial and have urged me to dig deeper. I am convinced our world would be much better place to live in case we stop hide under nicknames and sign our posts with our real names. Just think on the difference between the statements below.
1) 7gr5trrr loves you.
2) I love you.
Who will have more chance to hear the positive response? My choice is number 2
Tomas, thanks for your comment. There is a difference between a valid use of a nickname and spam. The first example you give looks like spam to me. If it read, “Jimmie J. loves you” and my recipient knew that Jimmie J. was a nickname representing me, my real persona, then it would have the same effect as saying “I love you.”
I do use aliases — one for each website. I don’t know if it makes a difference to my readers, but I feel different when I am communicating in different voices. I think that “difference” comes through in my writing too. So there is at least one useful purpose for pen names.
Good idea, Josh.
I’ve written a few books and self-published. Pen names are the way to go when jumping from niche to niche. That, and if one of my book get’s a lot of bad reviews..all books listed under one pen name would result in lost sales.
I personally use the different pen name for each topic approach. It really helps your credibility.
have been reading a lot on here and have picked up some great ideas. You are so inspirational. Wished I would take the time to write my own blog – but I’m afraid I’m not persistent and nobody would read it anyway
) – so I keep coming back and enjoy your stories.