Anonymity

In response to an inquiry by 100percent, I'm posting here rather than in comments on my decision to insert a personal photo in the Sidebar and Author Profile.

Anonymity is a major consideration for bloggers when starting out. It was certainly an issue when I commenced blogging under a pseudonym, being acutely aware of my public exposure as a cabbie. However with the Investigate magazine position last year featuring my name and photo, that cover was blown. Reassuringly though, I'd already received television and radio exposure as a blogger, without adverse consequences...

By then I'd demonstrated my content wasn't contentious or offensive enough to warrant being hunted down by aggrieved or deranged readers. So eventually I became relaxed enough to blog under my full name. Finally last April, when Cablog was listed amongst the top ten blogs, I perused the other nine and noted five of the author/authors wrote under their own names and photos. Which had me considering posting my own photo.

Shortly after this I had dinner with an old friend, a marketing lecturer who had obtained her PhD in 'Marketing and the Internet'. She was firmly of the view that I should use my personal photo as it's important for 'branding and promotion', something I hadn't paid much attention to. If I had, I would've nominated for the recent cabbie interview on ABC TV's Enough Rope, instead of simply helping the producer locate potential guests. Doh !

So, revealing my full identity has been a careful process of degrees. Am I recognised at work ? Strangely no, never, probably because it's too dark in the cab. Moreover, even if the passenger is sitting up-front they'll only ever see a side-profile in the weak light.

Consequently, after some 30 months blogging and over 1000 posts, I'm totally relaxed about revealing my photo. Not only have I a public profile, of sorts, but I'm quietly proud of Cablog and it's unique content. Hence the photo. Whilst it may not help secure a highly-paid penile dysfunction commercial, I trust it provides readers with another dimension to stories from 'Adrian the cabbie' - on the job, in the saddle. More tonight.

Comments

[phil]

Adrian - given your success and the way you've arrrived at what you are doing now, it all makes sense (to me, at least). And provides the basis for any other writing you might do. We await the day when you retain a manager :-)

[adrian]

Phil, I'd prefer a literary agent !

[davo]

Mate, you don't need an agent. See www.lulu.com

[lg]

I see nothing wrong with Adrian putting up his photo. To me, it gives a more clearer insight into the man. I've been thinking of putting up my own pic in my blog, but I might scare everyone off! ;)

[adrian]

Dave, Lulu was a serious option until they changed their generous international shipping prices, making orders too expensive.

[100percent]

Adrian, thanks for your full & open response to my enquiry.