Pen names -- need some advice

After years of doing affiliate marketing and running websites I’ve decided to get a little more serious about producing ebooks and other information products, email lists and similar.

The problem with this is that my name isn’t very good for selling stuff, it’s difficult for most people to pronounce, read and write. I do some marketing now (very little though) and I am already noticing that in certain cases my name is hurting me.

I’d like to use a Pen name. I know many people do this and it can be very effective. I also know it’s legal, but I’m not too sure about HOW to use a pen name properly.

I’m concerned about issues like Disclosure, proper use of a Pen name, etc. I have nothing to hide and don’t do anything illegal so I don’t really mind disclosing any real info about myself (as I am currently using my real name and address in my correspondences).

Does anyone have more information on this topic or know where I can get some solid legal help (hopefully not too expensive)? I’d like to do it right because it’s never worth doing something half-assed.

Please PM me if you don’t want to post publicly.

Thanks.
Pete.

 

If it is mainstream - Jeffrey Cohen. If it is relating to the adult industry, Chad Belville

 

Thanks a lot, I saw that link (and visited) in another reply of yours.

It's mainstream BTW, just looking for a more "marketable" name for ebooks and similar.

Cheers,
Pete.

 

First of all, IANAL! It's perfectly legal to use a pseudonym or pen-name. You can get a copyright[1] granted in your legal name, pen name or both. There are a lot of celebrities and non-celebrities that use a pen-name when marketing themselves and their services.

What you probably cant do is go and create a number of pen names or pseudonyms and use them as endorsements. That would be considered fraud.

You also have to think about the ramifications of what would happen if someone outted you. The backlash would probably be fierce, but on the bright side, you would get a lot of backlinks.

Again, it's probably a good idea to seek legal consul before you become the next Bono.

[1] U.S. Copyright Office - Pseudonyms

 

I've also been reading through a lot of legal and non-legal documents about pen names for writers (and stage names for actors). Seems as though there is no harm in it so long as you are not using it for criminal activity (obviously)...