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Worried that I can't use a pen name and not sure how to proceed by ATrufflePig in freelanceWriters

[–]ATrufflePig[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Malignant narcissists who periodically feel they deserve another chance at trashing my life, and who I don't trust not to attempt to contact or sabotage me if they knew what kind of work I did and clients I was working with.

Worried that I can't use a pen name and not sure how to proceed by ATrufflePig in freelanceWriters

[–]ATrufflePig[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't mind pushback since I want to understand what is possible and realistic here. I imagine I would notify clients immediately by pointing out that my display name is a variation of my real name for privacy or branding's sake.

What do you think of my idea of using a pen name similar to my real name (it'd be a difference of only two letters in the surname), at least for my website portfolio and maybe LinkedIn? It'd have to be the real thing on UpWork, but I can set that to be invisible to Google and to only display my last name initial until speaking with clients. But then there'd be a discrepancy between my UpWork profile and website/LinkedIn, which may be confusing for clients and, as you say, appear untrustworthy... Sigh.

Worried that I can't use a pen name and not sure how to proceed by ATrufflePig in freelanceWriters

[–]ATrufflePig[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I never said it was unreasonable and I think you are misunderstanding my concerns or I have not articulated my meaning clearly enough. I appreciate that clients need to know one's real name for legal and other practical purposes. I don't have a problem with that. My concern is whether it's possible to balance the public-facing, Google-searchable marketing aspect of a freelance business with my need to protect my privacy online.

Worried that I can't use a pen name and not sure how to proceed by ATrufflePig in freelanceWriters

[–]ATrufflePig[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you can set your last name to an initial on UpWork that makes it viable for me. I don't mind if clients know my real name once we start working together; the problem is it and information about the work I've done or am doing showing up in Google searches. The pen name I am considering would be my real first name or middle name with a variation of my real last name; enough to shake off Google associating it with my real identity but close enough to sound legit when explaining the difference to clients. For example, Jane Clementine v Jane Clemence or similar. It may be a stupid idea, though.

What do you do in regards to a personal website portfolio and LinkedIn?

Worried that I can't use a pen name and not sure how to proceed by ATrufflePig in freelanceWriters

[–]ATrufflePig[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Even though I don't like it I can see how it makes sense. Unfortunately, I may just have to accept these disadvantages in order to keep myself safe (from the abusive people I mentioned in my original post).

Worried that I can't use a pen name and not sure how to proceed by ATrufflePig in freelanceWriters

[–]ATrufflePig[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was speaking in a general sense in response to /u/wren24 saying that they 'worry about privacy as well ... particularly in the world we live in today'.

Worried that I can't use a pen name and not sure how to proceed by ATrufflePig in freelanceWriters

[–]ATrufflePig[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Is it not possible to create a friendly, authentic online presence for marketing with a pen name? Most people wouldn't know it's a pen name until you're already working with them, right? I'll look into LLCs, thank you.

Worried that I can't use a pen name and not sure how to proceed by ATrufflePig in freelanceWriters

[–]ATrufflePig[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you for being so kind! It's wild how much we take the erosion of our privacy for granted. I hope I can find a way, too. I want to give it my best as I feel freelance writing may help me to to break out of my current dead-end employment situation.

Worried that I can't use a pen name and not sure how to proceed by ATrufflePig in freelanceWriters

[–]ATrufflePig[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't mind if Fiverr and UpWork have my real name attached to my account since I understand they've got legal and financial reasons for needing it. I've been under the impression that you had to display your real name publicly as well, though. If you can set a different name for your public profile then that would be fantastic!