Giving credit where credit is due

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   rebthomasposted 12 years ago

   I have a question for all of you experienced hubbers.  When you publish a new hub do you put your name in the hub anywhere or do you just rely on people to view your hub profile to see your real name and not your user name?  Is it better to have your real name in it somewhere for Google searches? 
   And lastly, if you do put it in there, where do you put it?

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      SidKempposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      My user name is my real name, so the issue is moot for me.
      
      As regards what is "better," that depends on each hubber's goal. Some want their avatar and user name to reflect themselves. Others want it to show part of who they are. Others want it to fully hide their identity.
      
      Each hubber is best off considering his or her business and personal goals, then creating an account name that achieves those goals. (If you didn't do this when you started, you may want to create a second account now.)
      
      If you want to be well known as yourself, your best approach is to use your own name as your hubber name, and then people will find you. Team HubPages has also found that this increases trust and readership. At a larger level, this is part of branding your own name, if you are an author or an entrepreneur.

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         Gordon Hamiltonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I'm in the same boat as you, Sid. My user name is my real name. I agree with everything you say and would only add that I have on several occasions read Hubbers who do not use their real name stating on the forums that they wish they had. I can only say I'm very glad I did

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2. 84

   earnerposted 12 years ago

   I never put it, nor would I think to... nor do I now desire to since you've highlighted it.
   
   I'd not want my real name to appear in searches .... I'm shy

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   rebthomasposted 12 years ago

   You are too funny.  Don't you want people to know you are the author of such fine work?

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      earnerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Have you watched the "Got Talent" and "X Factor" programmes.....?  One can think one can do something - indeed, those around you can tell you you're great.... but stick your head above the parapet into the outside world and everybody knows you're awful.
      
      I'd hate that

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   Beth37posted 12 years ago

   I read that putting your name helps you claim the hub as your own should someone steal it and reprint it.... my husband said I couldn't put my real name on mine though. lol

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   drpennypincherposted 12 years ago

   I have noticed that some authors use their real name in a copyright statement at the bottom of each hub.. I haven't found a good reason to use my real name in my hubs.

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   Pearldiverposted 12 years ago

   Your writing ID is often sufficient for search engines, but keep in mind that it is a combo of your subject/title/keywords/quality/size/trends/etc/etc/etc that determine the overall SE 'value' of what you write over that SE's own subjective algo..  One is often flying blind!
   
   One way to get your name across is to 'Sign Off' your work and always add an Author's Copyright notice at the bottom your work.
   
   While some may (wrongly) determine that to be 'self promotion' I am aware that HP have openly promoted changes that have been made on site as attempts to 'help us' develop better 'branding!'  What better brand can a genuinely excellent writer support, other than their own reflected in quality? 

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      Marisa Wrightposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I must've missed that bit about helping us to develop better branding.  As far as I can see, all the changes have been designed to minimise our individual branding rather than enhance it.  Specifically, removing the link so readers can't easily sign up to individual Hubber's feeds, drastically reducing the size of our author box at the top of each Hub (and remember it would be even smaller if we hadn't complained), adding Hubs by others to our profiles, dramatically increasing the number of related Hubs on each Hub ...

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         Pearldiverposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Yes.... absolutely....... well said and you have also identified the very reason why I made reference to the 'Branding' issue! 
         
         But hey in giving Credit where Credit is due...
         
         Didn't you just love the way our 'branded' page rankings got totally undermined, devalued and decimated as a direct result of that 'help' we all received, irrespective of any personal need for it! 
         
         It was all a bit like how an old person must feel when they are happily standing at the lights after having just crossed the road and then some determined, snotty nosed boy scout comes and takes their arm, shunting them back across the road again, while ignoring the pleas for commonsense from the public! 

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   rebthomasposted 12 years ago

   Sid as always your comments are so insightful.  My user name is a form of my real name, but I don't know if I should add more so that I can be found.  Yes I do want to be found so that is not a question.  I guess I am considering adding my full name to each article or story.

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8. 81

   rebthomasposted 12 years ago

   Thank you everyone for your ideas.  I really like the idea of adding my name and a copyright symbol!

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   brakel2posted 12 years ago

   Google indicated real name needs to be somewhere on hub for authorship. That is why I put my real name at end of hub and a date.

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    rebthomasposted 12 years ago

    I just spent an hour adding my name.  thank you brakel2

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    jansharesposted 12 years ago

    No, I don't. But I do have my initials on my poems and one or two with my full name. I thought I read somewhere that we should. I will read what other posts say to see the standard.

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    akhildev143posted 12 years ago

    I regret now for not using my real name... I was only 18 when I joined this site and didnt thought much about it.. :-(

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    akhildev143posted 12 years ago

    You can add your name at the end of each hub

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       rebthomasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I did.  It took a while but I am glad I did.  Thank you!

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    To Start Againposted 12 years ago

    No I don't add my real name anywhere on my hubs. If I wanted people to know my real name, I would have made my user name the real one.  I've seen people add their name to the end of hubs, like someone mentioned but I don't much see the point. Link to your websites on your profile or use your real name as your ID if you are concerned about it. A name at the end of every hub seems out of place to me...

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       Marisa Wrightposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I agree.   If you want people to know your real name, then it's best to use it as your user name from the start.  Unlike some sites, HubPages allows spaces in user names so it's easy.
       
       Many people choose a pseudonym or a nickname because they're going to write about sensitive topics and they'd prefer those articles aren't connected with their real name - either because it could embarrass family members, or reveal too much private information.  I think that's perfectly acceptable.

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    WryLiltposted 12 years ago

    I use Google authorship so Google knows it's me anyway.

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    Barbara Kayposted 12 years ago

    I used my first name and middle name. Afterwards, I discovered that there is a reporter in Canada with that name.I wish I could change it now.

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    ossmediaposted 12 years ago

    I used my real name as user name as if  you want people to know your real name, then it's best to use it as your user name.

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    Jennifer Sucheyposted 12 years ago

    I use my real name here. I want my name to be known as a writer so I use it everywhere now, like YouTube and such, instead of hiding behind a made up user name. My blog is even my name, jennifersuchey.com. Not sure if that'll change some day as I figure out my "brand" and what makes the most sense. Anyway, that's my two cents.

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       rebthomasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you I do too

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    yupperclubposted 12 years ago

    If I had known when I opened my account, I would not have picked such a (funny?) username.  I would have used a name that referenced me as a person and writer.  Too bad you can't change it.  Think I may start using my name in writing as well (maybe even go back over my hubs and add my name).  I have a pen name - maybe I'll start using that (since I want my pen name to become known).

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    shielamaeparrenoposted 12 years ago

    I agree with Jennifer. I used my real name ever since I started writing online. I was writing for someone else before and now I don't like the thought of that. It's nice Googling your name and seeing some results with your works or pics on them..not 0 result.

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       Beth37posted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I just googled my name and apparently Im a famous painter in SF. Feeling pretty good about myself right now.

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    Jeanne Grunertposted 12 years ago

    I use my real name on my Hub (and on other writing profiles) because I'm a professional freelance writer. It helps people find my website online if they like my writing. I would not put a name inside the Hub; it seems unprofessional. Rely upon your profile as your byline.  Consistency will help you get found online by the popular search engines.  Whether you use a pen name, your actual name or some combination, use it consistently no matter where you write online, and that will help your work get found, along with well-chosen keywords, good writing, and great titles.

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