5 Reasons Why You May Want to Alter Your Online Identity

Are writers who use pen names and avatars to mask their true identities cowards? I used to think so, at least when it came to content creators. It’s one thing to be a woman trying to get her novel published in the 1800s and quite another to be one writing essays and opinion pieces today. Or is it?

Recently, I became aware that my name and photo might be working against me. I found that commenters on my stories and responses to my comments on other people’s stories made broad assumptions about me that had nothing to do with the message I was attempting to communicate.

516 claps from 129 people for " Wow. I could tell this was written by a white guy just by reading it."

I’ve seen this happen to other writers as well. Pity the old white guy who expresses an opinion on anything.

If the reader perceives you as wealthy or in any other way entitled, some people get no further than the headline before they start disparaging your stance on the issues. They may skim your article, but there are only two things that could have set them against you from the get-go, just itching to put you in your place: your name and your photo.

Here are some considerations to make before you ditch your ego in favor of an altered one:

1--You write about politically or socially charged issues.

Whether your name is Mohammed or Muffy, readers may challenge your opinion simply because of who they think you are and what they think you believe. These subjects can also attract whackos who can easily find out where you live.

Try it sometime. Read a story and see if you can track down where the writer lives or works. Chances are, Google maps will happily take you right to their door. You might even want to Google yourself and see how exposed you are.

Sites like PeopleFinders and Whitepages make it hard to hide when you're using your real name. They can even turn up your maiden name or alias and the names and locations of your relatives. You may live in a gated community with great security, but does your sister?

2---Certain people (your boss. pastor, mother, etc.) would lose their minds if they knew what you’re thinking.

You could be subject to losing anything from your best friend to your job. It also might make Thanksgiving dinner even more awkward than it already is, and who needs that?

3--You don’t believe that crap you spew in your relentless pursuit of clicks and reads.

You might possibly snag a job as a political pundit on a major “news” network, but if your bullshit is under your own name, you’re going to be stuck with it.

4--You share your real name with a famous person.

I went to school with a kid named Jimmy Carter. Unlike the other Jimmy, he never became POTUS. If he decides to write porn under his own name, he’s going to run into some problems (although I'll bet the clicks you'd get would be phenomenal. Then again, maybe not!)

5--Your real name or profile picture works against your brand.

If your last name is Monsanto, you’re unlikely to attract too many folks to your environmental conservation blog. If you are nobody’s idea of gorgeous (sad, but true), you’ll have a hard time pushing beauty tips.

Some writers aren't comfortable with the idea of branding. They're not comfortable thinking of themselves as a product. Unfortunately, if you want to be successful, you don't have much of a choice.

Can you think of any other good reasons to use a pen name or change your profile picture?