| The internet is a wonderful thing. It enables us to | | | | Granted, many people aren't malicious in their intent, |
| shop, communicate, indulge in our passions, get the | | | | however there are a number of people who are |
| latest new and sports scores (or gossip), blog , post | | | | susceptible to scammers and those who are in fact |
| in forums and so much more in relative anonymity. | | | | looking to dispense wrongful advice to these |
| The thing is, though is that so many people out there | | | | misguided souls. |
| are purporting themselves to be experts on a given | | | | Anyone who is running a business and responding to |
| subject, giving advice that they believe should be | | | | blog posts or forum posts or even writing their own |
| taken seriously, yet they hide behind a pseudonym. A | | | | blog and using it as a means of attaining credibility or |
| friend once asked me why I use my real name (or a | | | | simply promoting themselves or their business would |
| variation of my business' name-GreenBridge Advisors) | | | | be wise to adopt some level of transparency. Not |
| on my blog, posts on other blogs and in forums and | | | | only does it make other people feel more |
| my response was quick and simple: I don't feel the | | | | comfortable knowing that you are being upfront |
| need to hide, and if I want to be taken seriously and | | | | about your identity, but it also lends additional |
| make it easy for prospective clients to find out more | | | | credibility. I don't know many people who would take |
| about me and my business it seems transparency is | | | | advice from a stranger called "gumdoc23", but they |
| the best method to achieve that goal. | | | | would if his name were Joe Smith, DMD with a |
| When I read other blogs or forums, and see posts | | | | website and current license which were verifiable. |
| by others with colorful names, the first thing I look | | | | Trust is hard enough to establish offline with |
| for is a link to their website to see if there is an | | | | someone you can physically see and shake hands |
| "about me" section. If there is, and some revealing | | | | with. It makes sense to do everything you can to |
| and real information about them is given, then I don't | | | | come out from behind the screen name and let |
| give their post much more attention in that regard. | | | | others see you for who you truly are when online, |
| However, if I, or some other reader cannot find out | | | | especially if your intention is to try to get those |
| anything about a poster, then what on earth would | | | | people to take your words and products/services |
| cause me to take their advice at face value? | | | | seriously. |
