Do you use your real name or at least part of your name when you sign up for a new service, community, or forum on the Internet? Many people still think that signing up under aliases is the way to go. In the business world though, and with the financial crisis problems on Wall Street and elsewhere, it seems to me like open, honest dialog with real people is the only option.
Over the last 12 years in business, I have usually signed up for forums, chat rooms and now social media platforms using my name as my username or a well-known nickname. I have never found a reason to hide behind an alias. Maybe I was ahead of my time but I thought by building a personal brand, it would insure good relationships and good business.
At Intelligendo, which I am managing now, we absolutely insist that community members use all or part of their name as a username and upload a photo of themselves. Still, many sign up with aliases and are using the impersonal avatar as the only thing representing them. These accounts do not get activated. I do reach out to these individuals via email and explain why we expect a photo and use of their name. Some respond positively, others I receive no response from.
Here are some specific reasons why I think real identities are important:
- People will trust and do business with those that they come to know as real human beings.
- A community of real people has far more integrity and credibility (value) than a much larger community of unknown identities.
- A real person with their own brand and expertise can not only improve their own business but will increase the value of the community as a whole.
From The Cluetrain Manifesto: These markets are conversations. Their members communicate in language that is natural, open, honest, direct, funny and often shocking. Whether explaining or complaining, joking or serious, the human voice is unmistakably genuine. It can’t be faked.
For many in the business world, especially those involved in or with publicly traded companies, hiding behind aliases has been just part of the undoing of the micro cap markets… The individuals who now make up the core audience for micro and small cap companies are traders. Companies are not built on traders though. To reach investors, get those investors onboard and keep them onboard and involved with a company requires open dialog between the individuals that make up the company management team and their investors.
In today’s environment, there is a lack of trust between those that have money to invest and the companies looking for investors. There is also an even greater mistrust between company management and the service providers such as Investor Relations, Promotional entities, and financing entities.
A great way to start building your personal brand in this new world is to start by using your actual name and posting a photo of yourself. Eventually, everyone will do business this way because the old way of doing things does not work anymore. Better sooner than later.
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I agree with you on that 100%. Bookmarked!