Why do most Hubbers write under different usernames?

1. 69

   lisabeamanposted 14 years ago

   It didn't even occur to me to use a different name when signing up with HubPages. But once I was in and looked around, I realized that that was the norm. I'm just wondering why that is...

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      leebertteaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I'm wanted in 15 states so I'm keeping a low profile.

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      1. 69

         lisabeamanposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Good idea then!

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      2. 61

         starqueen13posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         haha sounds fun!

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         johnnysommonaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Only 15?  Lightweight.

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         starme77posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Me too

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      warchild75posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      i have the username warchild to write the bulk of my hubs as this has been my alterego for many years,and then i go by a different name when writing my sales hubs!!

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      starqueen13posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Ive had the username 'starqueen13' since i was 13, because i was obsessed with stars, also because i have a story about the stars just a fun little thing....and my parents didn't want people to know my real name back then haha

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2. 65

   Joy56posted 14 years ago

   stick around a while and it will become evident...

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      lisabeamanposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      That sounds a little ominous!

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3. 81

   thisisoliposted 14 years ago

   I just have this username.
   
   For some people a second account is a 'sock puppet' for saying things they dont want attributed to their name, or a way to get back in after being banned. For otehrs it is a way of seperating one Hub niche from another.

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      Joy56posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      i just have this username now, but it is not my own.......

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      Ivorwenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I like the niche thing.  It is easier for me to focus when I put things under different profiles, like filing papers according to topic.

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         viryaboposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I think i like the niche separation aspect as well.
         
         Would one need to open new adsense and amazon accounts?

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   jondavposted 14 years ago

   Sometimes when you have been part of a large community for a while its nice to becom anon.  again

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      Joy56posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      amen

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5. 60

   chigoiykeposted 14 years ago

   More chances, more creativity, more money

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   SomewayOuttaHereposted 14 years ago

   ..it's the internet and I would like to protect my identity....

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7. 87

   Dobsonposted 14 years ago

   When first coming to any site you know very little about how things work. I have enough experience to know not to put my name out there until i get a feel for the environment. Also, I use this name on another writing site, so I hope to build name recognition.

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      bayouladyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Same here. I don't want my real name out there, though through some sites I am on I have made enduring friendships.Two of my elementary teacher cyber pal friendships started in 1999, and we are still very close.
      
      I just joined the hub, and I use the same name on several group accounts I have. (bayoulady) For anything to do with teaching, I am bayouteacher. .....Yeah, I am an old Louisiana bayou gal.....just sounded a little bit better to be bayoulady.

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8. 69

   lisabeamanposted 14 years ago

   Thanks for the answers. I guess I am a little naive and inexperienced. We'll see how this all pans out!

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9. 73

   Jeff Berndtposted 14 years ago

   Some folks use a pseudonym because if their writings were connected to their real selves, it might hurt their careers. They might not want their bosses (or prospective employers) to know their politics, for example.
   
   Some folks use one because it makes them feel braver when arguing, and lets them be ruder than they might be if their words were connected to their real names.
   
   And some folks use them to compartmentalize their writing, for example, using one name to write humor and another to write about politics.
   
   I use my real name, 'cos I'm trying to build up a body of work online.

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   1. 69

      lisabeamanposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks, Jeff! That helps a lot. I do think there is a lot more accountability when using one's own name. Maybe someday I'll actually publish something worth buying and then everyone can say... "Hey, I know her from HubPages!"

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         psycheskinnerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Also if I am charging 10c a word to one client I don't want them to know I also do writing for pennies as a hobby.  Pen names are a way to keep things separate.

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            lisabeamanposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            I wouldn't have thought of that! That makes a lot of sense (and cents!)

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            ryankettposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            I think that it is more than realistic for a 500 word hubpage to earn $50+ in its lifetime.... I have a 9 month old hub with around 1000 words which has already earnt me over $1 per word...

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               thisisoliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Agreed, I have plenty of Hubs which earn far more than I earn from writing for other people.  unfortunately I often need an instant cash injection!

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      Darlene Sabellaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, Jeff that is why I have always used my real name and over the years I have never had any problems, knock on wood, and I never write about anything that is not complete truth and factual, I enjoy sharing story's and life experiences, maybe cause I am old, I just don't worry about it.  Your can write to please others and have many followers or you can write to please yourself and roll the die...

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10. 75

    Mighty Momposted 14 years ago

    If you look at the top rated hubbers (those who consistently score 100) almost all use their own names. But there are also quite a few "top" hubbers using pseudonyms, too.
    A lot depends on your goals for Hub Pages.
    Like Jeff said, the Internet is wide open. If you may be saying something that could boomerang on you personally or professionally, it's best to use another name.
    
    I have a copywriting company. The types of topics I tend to cover on HP have NOTHING to do with my other writing. I don't want those clients reading my hubs about (for example) bipolar, recovery, or my anger/disgust at my sister-in-law who tried to steal the family trust and put my dear mother-in-law in a home!
    
    But that's just me.... MM

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       Baileybearposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I write about my experiences that have stigma attached - I don't want potential employers looking me up and judging me.    I have opened another account to write about things I feel self-conscious about family etc reading (they are not very open-minded).   I am not an attention-seeking person and using a pen name gives me a degree of privacy when writing about sensitive and personal themes.  My real name can be found and I have used real photos on his profile, but not the other.

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11. 59

    chinweikeposted 14 years ago

    I enjoy being anno sometimes.

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       Baileybearposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I like it too - I would hate to be a celebrity where everything things they know me

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    gracenotesposted 14 years ago

    Like a lot of hubbers here, I want to separate my presence here from my presence in other places on the web, where I use my real name.
    
    I like the idea of using a screen name that creates a certain connotation in the reader's mind.  Grace notes = musical term.  Grace = God's grace.  Notes = I love to write old-fashioned letters.
    
    I like my real name just fine, and it is fine for other endeavors.

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13. 61

    Slainiaposted 14 years ago

    I use Slainia because A) I'm slightly paranoid about identity theft, and theres no one that would be able to help me if it happened, and B) I'm posting some stuff that would probably send my non-friendly family into fits if they read it.
    On the other hand, I use my birth name on the website. At least, my first name. It's also linked to facebook tho, so it wouldnt' be that hard to figure it out. I'm just slightly paranoid, tha'ts all. Or maybe insecure still.

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14. 59

    MMMoneyposted 14 years ago

    if you give your real info chances of identity theft are more..

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15. 74

    Richieb799posted 14 years ago

    Sometimes when you've written so many, you just fancy taking on a different persona

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16. 59

    MMMoneyposted 14 years ago

    I have written a hub about
    
    http://hubpages.com/hub/How-Do-Criminal … Prevention

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17. 85

    Pcunixposted 14 years ago

    I can't speak for anyone else (well, I can, but they will complain) but I use "pcunix" because that's one of my domain names.  It stands for Personal Computer Unix, which is close enough to what I do to serve as a moniker.
    
    However, I'm not hiding my real identity.  If you follow my profile to my main website, you will find my real name and can easily find my address and phone number if you want it.
    
    Let us hope you'd want that for some reason that doesn't involve dogs and flaming paper bags.

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       Baileybearposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       LOL

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18. 83

    Rafiniposted 14 years ago

    I created my name to be unique and to create a new image for myself...although that hasn't worked very well...lol...(and Rafini is the name I want to use for writing, rather than my all-too-common name)

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    1. 69

       lisabeamanposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I'd say it's working! You seem very mysterious to me

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          michifusposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          I think it gives more freedom when writing, as you are not under pressure from friends and family. I write because I enjoy it, and to make some money. Its great fun, and If I was to do it under my own name, I think the pressure would take away some of that enjoyment.
          
          Anyway, I've been saying for ages that its about time that cat earned its keep, I thought Id give it the chance!

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             lisabeamanposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             It has been very interesting to see what goes behind these names... Thanks for sharing!

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          Rafiniposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            nah, the 'new' image is the same as the 'old' one...lol...oh well, at least I'm still me.

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19. 59

    aksana777posted 14 years ago

    some people don't want to make their names publicly, and I agree with michifus, that it gives more freedom when writing

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20. 60

    Corte Dedoposted 14 years ago

    Why? It's creative!!!!

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21. 70

    wyanjenposted 14 years ago

    There are dozens of Jen King's writing on-line.
    
    I hate them all. I never get to use my real name. One of The Others has already taken it anywhere I go.
    So I use this name everywhere. I thought about being "Alpha-Jen" for awhile...

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    1. 69

       lisabeamanposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I see your point. I googled my own name after I posted the question. I never realized how many Lisa Beamans there were in the world. It took me three pages until I finally found something about me. Maybe I should come up w/ a cool pen name...

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22. 93

    Rochelle Frankposted 14 years ago

    I wrote a children's book with my name on it-- and I want people to find my book, so I thought it would be good to use the same name here.
    (Who knows if it's my 'real' name?)
    Also there are several Rochelle Frank entries on the search engines... I am not a pediatric neurosurgeon, a ketubbah artist, the owner of a sporting goods store, or a white supremicist.

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       wyanjenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       And yet, you are supreme...
       
       

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          starme77posted 14 years agoin reply to this

          how about coffee bean ?

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23. 77

    Nera Woodsposted 14 years ago

    i don't want to use my real name to protect my family, friends and companies worked for. There are topics I write that could hurt them.

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24. 53

    RELATUposted 14 years ago

    People write under different names because they don't want to be harrassed by people that know them and may say something that doesn't make any sense very much similar to spam they send you a message but hide themselves behind some fake name. Of course if this was not the case many people would use their names I believe but in essence you don't want to be badgered just because someone may not like you and they would use anything such as spyware(which can easily be removed and the person spying can be criminally charged and should) to get at you since they are afraid to face you in person as an individual. But some of the most famous authors have chosen a pen name to write under. This is a very good question and does make some people uncomfortable but as for me an authors name may want to have a writing name for privacy.

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       Baileybearposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       true - people can have very strong opinions.  There is that element to consider to - ie getting hate mail etc and personal attacks.   Lots of deranged people out there

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25. 59

    The Sharkposted 14 years ago

    As the Beatles said when recording and becoming Sgt Pepper's band for one album, you can say things under the psudeo name you might not have under your own name. My hubs have all been political and some have been printed in papers where my real name is used. But I just thought in an informal atmosphere like the hub it would fun to use a name that represents what my writings are about, hence The Shark. Because I am attempting to take a bite out of liberalism. In some small way trying to save what was important at one time----American values, American individualism, and being an American.
    The Shark

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26. 71

    Cagsilposted 14 years ago

    Why Do Most Hubbers Write Under Different Usernames? Because they choose to do so.

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27. 78

    skyfireposted 14 years ago

    Separating niche hubs with another account is what i prefer.

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28. 77

    Bard of Elyposted 14 years ago

    In my case because I use Bard of Ely as my stage name and that includes my name on Internet sites. It helps create more publicity for me as a writer and musician and avoids confusion with all the other Steve Andrews out there in the world.

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29. 58

    saddlerider1posted 14 years ago

    I only use my birthright given name for business sites. I have always been a desperado, rebel, wannabee cowboy for years. Love horses and if I could be reincarnated as The Duke..this pilgrim would be home on the range. So Saddlerider me be:0)

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30. 68

    Research Analystposted 14 years ago

    It makes it easier when a person is a freelance writer and they want to publish on different topics without causing a lot of attention to what they are doing.

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31. 76

    H.C Porterposted 14 years ago

    Stalking 
    (not from HP-but the other places I write which are local to my area)  so I now use HC Porter in order to limit the crazy people’s access to my personal life

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32. 0

    ralwusposted 14 years ago

    I think maybe I hang around in too many Post Offices.

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33. 82

    lovebuglenaposted 14 years ago

    I could have used my full name when signing up for a hubpages account, but since I am a writer and a creative individual I thought it would be fun to create another name for myself, sort of like a nickname I guess. So, I decided to name myself lovebuglena. I love this nickname and I use it on my writing site too. It's cool. And has many meanings.
    
    Lena

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34. 60

    brettbposted 14 years ago

    My other me has got quite successful here in a certain niche so I opened this account to explore other niches.

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    Me, Steve Waltersposted 14 years ago

    My other me goes by a "pen name" that I created long before Hubpages...and me...well I'm just plain ol' Me! My "pen name"  was contrived as a gimmick...a catchy saying to remember me by. Kind'a like Marketing 101...Hope it is still working!

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36. 61

    Jim Hunterposted 14 years ago

    You can use a fake name?
    
    Call me Billy, Billy Jack.

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       Me, Steve Waltersposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       "I'm going to put this right foot in your left ear...and there ain't a d_mn thing your going to do about it!" Billy Jack
       
       

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          starme77posted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Nice one

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37. 61

    Disturbiaposted 14 years ago

    There are far too many weirdoes on the internet to ever use your real identity.

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    brettbposted 14 years ago

    My real identity has been stolen and the other me is opening credit card accounts in my name.
    
    Be careful people!

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       lorlie6posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       You better get after it, brettb!  Disturbing, those doppelgangers.
       

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    theirishobserver.posted 14 years ago

    Lorlie - is correct - dont disclose personal information as that information can be used by scammers - the FBI have just issued such a warning to people - but some people never learn - identity fraud is a big time crime at the moment so please be careful - share stories about your life and pass times etc - but keep your personal information personal - Irish.....

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