Does a good pen name or username help your freelance career?

EliteWriter Level 1

June 27, 2016, 8:34 pm

9

Write the reason you're deleting this FAQ

Is there any specific reason or meaning behind your profile picture?
Or behind your choice of username?
The username and the profile picture are what prospective buyers see about us here, so they are very important.

I chose my username because I wanted to establish myself as being a good and professional writer, thus the choice of the word elite.

Regarding my profile picture I selected this one where a head is coming out of a laptop and shaking hands with another person protruding from another laptop, because freelancing enables me to reach out and make agreements with so many people. It sort of evokes a sense of trust in my opinion, and that communication is important. And despite being so far away the internet connects us.

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hitmeasap

hitmeasap

I would say that it depends. A lot. Some would say it sure plays a major role and others won't agree as much.. I’ll put it the only way I know how... I offered Instagram Likes for my top-selling service and my username was IMStrand (We are talking several years back). Keyword usernames are not necessary. I'm proof of that. That said, I'd still recommend using a "related" username since it's often easier for buyers to recognize and remember. If you provide voice overs, "VoicerOver_King" or "QualityVoiceovers" would be quite good names. Easy to remember but also a bit "catchy".

My profile picture is an eye, with an X, the X stands for "Level X". I can't remember the reason I chose this, but it's been stuck with me ever since. My username, hitmeasap, is actually a username I had when I played a PC game a billion years ago. My profile picture and my username defines me, no matter what I do, and no matter what I provide. I am hitmeasap.

Best Regards,
hitmeasap

10 years ago

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Everett

Everett

I believe a good pen name or username creates an online identity, sort of like an online alias. Sure this "person" may have a fake name, but the person behind that fake name is real. I often remember pen names, or usernames and have trouble remembering actual real names of people. It doesn't matter how long I have known them, if they used a username like Star1989, I'll forever remember them based upon their username, as that's how I was introduced to them.

Also, for pen names, if you're a very good writer, sometimes it's best to have an interesting or rememorable name, you don't want content associated with you if your real name is Seymour Dick, Anita Butt, and if you're smart you'll realize that name is a joke or perhaps you'll keep the name for comedic purposes.. LOL.

10 years ago

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anwebservices

anwebservices

I also think that username have to be connected with your career and it help like building your little brand. It's logical. Why would for example some article writer have username BobTheBuilder, it's more appropriate to have username like you and similar, so in one word it describes your work and leading your visitors to read more about you, your work and to check out your services, if they need any writing done.

My username is made of my initials A.N. + Web Services because i am doing many different services, but to me still make sense because all this services are for internet and i am using this for long time.

10 years ago

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Lynne

Lynne

I like to use my own name online and I use my own profile image too. I am a buyer though, not a seller and I am a blogger and Youtuber so I like to create authority for myself and my name.

10 years ago

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ajlancer

ajlancer

HI EliteWriter thanks for querying a such importance things like that user name or pen name as freelancer. I think it is very importance for show up your identity on internet. And it is depend on where you are working and what you are serving? For example my user name AJLANCER, aj came for my real name and lancer I have given the sense of freelancer and I am sure if anybody see my name on any network and who know about freelancing, they should clear understand what does meaning in my name. On the other hand. for example ewritter as pen name or user name. This name showing that meaning like he write something eBook or e-content, I mean writing professional.
So, I think user name contain great value of freelancing.

Regards by Ajlancer

10 years ago

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Everett

Everett

As I continue to read posts here, it seems users that have their real name associated with their username. I use an alias, or a "pen name" actually. My real name isn't "Everett". Only a select few actually know my real name. I tend to think a lot of users like to be personal, which is really fantastic. I applaud those that are using their own personal names, however creative usernames are great as well.

10 years ago

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Corzhens

Corzhens

I have been seeing usernames with numbers and some are difficult to pronounce. I guess those usernames give difficulty to other users like me. How can I remember them when I cannot even read their username. Anyway, a normal username is better because it has name recall. I know that my own username is not that convenient but it’s me. Corzhens is coined from my first name and surname. But maybe if I will use another username, it will be my first name.

9 years ago

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Kakashi2020

Kakashi2020

I think that it could have an effect psychologically on the part of the reader or client because some names are generally more appealing than others, while some may say something about the writers persona.

8 years ago

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Russet

Russet

Generally speaking I am looking to hire real people who can be checked up on. So I would suggest using a real sounding name that you have some kind of good internet footprint for. If it is not a real name I expect a properly incorporated or otherwise formalized company.

To me, a cutsey username that is not a company name just makes it seem like the service provider is an amateur. Everything on the scammy side of the internet is SUPER EXCELLENT LUXURY BEST. That doesn't really mean anything. What matters is objective qualifications, work samples, reviews, and other indicators of authentic ability.

8 years ago

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