tagging

[AniaR]

So tagging is a good way to network and build audiences through youtube, tumblr, FB etc. But what would you think if someone who has professed to be a hater of yours started tagging you in stuff that had nothing to do with you?
Well that's what is happening to myself, mermaidens, and a few others from mernetwork in the professional mermaid world! An ex-member who has taken issue with quite a few of us, and really publicly does not like us, has been tagging us in order to get more views on youtube. That's really lame to me, hate our guts and say trash online anywhere they can, but still are not above trying to get views using our names -_-

For those of you who keep public online personas, I really suggest googling yourself and checking pages like tumblr, youtube, etc to see what comes up. You see stuff like this happening, but you can also see if people have stolen your work, or where else it's being posted online. I think it's an important thing to do because if you can find it, potential clients can find it. They may think you are actually the person (this recently happened with people confusing some stuff of mermaid melissa in her orange tail as me- I dont know how you could confuse us but it happened) who has tagged you, or your stuff can be taken out of context. Also, if someone is just posting your stuff all over the place without crediting you that's bad enough but potential clients cant trace back to you. So yeah, it's just really good to be checking for your stuff all over.

Back to the original issue here, Im kinda like, seriously? Seriously? You hate my guts, but you'll use my name... -_-

[Spindrift]

I actually had some questions on merpersona management. If I compile some questions can I send them to you?

[AniaR]

sure! You can post them here if you like Im sure others have them too

[Aradia]

Yep, I noticed that person doing that so my passive agressive tactic was to tag "its" name right back in mine. Likewise, I did a bunch of press for our old mermaid group which "it" is clearly profiting off. I think the most amusing thing however is that "it" lists its past appearances in programs which made fun of her but promoted Mermaidens which we found amusing :p

[Aradia]

Pwoar, its magically vanished now! Clearly someone who left Mernetwork is still keeping tabs on what is going on even though they stormed off. Eh, at least Raina and Mermaidens have been removed from the tags although Mertailor, Melissa and MerBellas are still on the list of tags, might have made sense if they were wearing a silicone tail and not a fabric one :/

[AniaR]

I find anyone who 'leaves' mernetwork in a huff still comes back on and lurks. When I decided to take a break, I felt it extremely hard not to come in and at least read, I had to make sure it was not signed in and make a real effort not to come to the page. I think even people with big dramatic issues miss a community where they aren't all alone in their interest.

[Spindrift]

My questions! Haha.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using your real name as a mersona or using a stage name?
Say when you are hiring a photographer, do you give them your real name to work with, or your character name?
And for signing contracts for photographers and etc? Does it ruin the magic if your real name gets out? Will they still call you by your character name (pretty generalized question)?
For example, does Lady Gaga ever get called by her real name within the music business, or does -everyone- just use her pseudonym?
Can it get awkward?
I've considered registering a "doing business as" in my state, but it's really just so that I can use my mersona name legally. Any advice or opinion on this?

[AniaR]

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using your real name as a mersona or using a stage name?

It helps to keep your personal life separate I find. Also if you do everything using your real name it's easier for stalkers (remember- I had a legit scary one when the paper printed my real name) to find you, it's also easier for potential clients of the NON mer variety (e.g. university, bosses, potential bosses etc) to find things about you, things can be easily taken out of context (e.g. someone sees a post you've made as your mer-persona and thinks it's dirty/inappropriate/not what they want for image etc) and it can just get messy. I know Hannah and Kariel etc use their real names, but theyre life seems to be 100% mer related for the most part, while I work in a professional field. Also, my real name is also a famous porn actress and googling her finds you some nasty stuff. I wouldnt want kids trying to find me that way. Being the "halifax" mermaid also gives local people a connection.


Say when you are hiring a photographer, do you give them your real name to work with, or your character name?
For most things I ask to be credited as Raina if it's mermaid related. If it's not mermaid related I usually go with initials- again, because the work can be taken out of context


And for signing contracts for photographers and etc? Does it ruin the magic if your real name gets out? Will they still call you by your character name
For any legal documents like a release form or contract you have to sign your real name, I always make it a clause in the contract that if they publish me or refer to me online they call me _________. That is your right, mermaid or not!


For example, does Lady Gaga ever get called by her real name within the music business, or does -everyone- just use her pseudonym?
From what I hear she lives her persona pretty hard and only her family calls her by her first name. For me, students have to call me Miss _______ that's the expectation, most of my friends call me by my real name but some have dubbed me mermaid, and my best friend and her kids call me "Raina Mermaid" her kids dont even seem to know my real name it's kinda cute. I think this is really just whatever people are comfortable. I am ALWAYS Raina at the very least when Im in character/costume/online as Raina.


Can it get awkward?
It hasnt for me yet! I usually just make sure I insist upon certain things. For instance, I have HUGE publicity coming up next week, and since it looks at both my identities I allowed them to print my real name. They did specifically ask me what I'd be comfortable with.


I've considered registering a "doing business as" in my state, but it's really just so that I can use my mersona name legally. Any advice or opinion on this?
We dont have that here so it's not something I can comment on. We dont even have to register business names here unless we make more than 30k a year.

[Mermaid Sirena]

I feel like this could have it's own thread.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using your real name as a mersona or using a stage name?

Advantages are that it helps create another persona as well as seeming more professional as it is tradition, also it allows for a more memorable name. Not many people are blessed with an easily rememberable name, Example I have a friend who is a performing artist (he does a lot of things from comedy to spitting fire) and his name is (lets say) Will. I know 5 other people named will, will is not a very memorable nor show stopping name. So he goes by Jester, just think what sounds more impressive "Come see the one and only WILL breath fire and awe you with his skill" or "Come see the one and only JESTER breath fire and awe you with his skill". There is also the benefit of preventing stalkers & creepers from finding you as easily if you take care to keep them separate, as I am very careful with keeping myself separate I do not have to worry about any haters, lovers or similar tracking me down in my personal life and confronting me. On the other side for those of us with a unique names, and not so unique names, (I've googled myself & I'm the only one in the world with my name) it means that when future employers try to find us the first thing that shows up isn't us half naked in a freaky over the top costume (no I don't think it's freaky but from many employers stand point it is). So for myself it is ESSENTIAL to keep the two separate for professional reasons.

Disadvantages, all I can think of is how Hannah Fraser, Linden Wolbert, and Melissa have made names for THEMSELVES not their persona's and as such more easily advertise everything they do other then mermaiding. Because mermaiding is so different it can be a great way to catch ahold of someone's attention and tie it into a variety of other mediums (such as myself graphic design and company branding)


Say when you are hiring a photographer, do you give them your real name to work with, or your character name? And for signing contracts for photographers and etc?
It's fine to give them your stage name and refer to yourself as that, if they as your real name it would be polite to say it. It depends greatly on the situation however if you are signing a contract that is a legally binding document and you must sign with your real name!

Does it ruin the magic if your real name gets out? Will they still call you by your character name (pretty generalized question)?
If you are working with a photographer I doubt it would ruin any magic, if you prefer to be called by your mer name simply request them to do so most are understanding and will do so if they were not already. Personally I've worked with clients & photographers and never told them my real name (only signing it on contracts if needed) and there was never a problem.

Also I LARP, in a LARP everyone has a character who almost always has a different name then they do. I know a great many people who from the larp, many of who I do not know their real name. Everyone refers to them as either their characters name or nickname they picked up on field (Ex. I played a gypsy for a bit and sense then to many people I am known as either Jingles or Bait). I also have several people I would call close friends and there are times we call to each other by our characters names not our own ones, or we talk about people referring to them by character names not real names (this helps a ton when talking about people with common names like Matt).

Can it get awkward? I've considered registering a "doing business as" in my state, but it's really just so that I can use my mersona name legally. Any advice or opinion on this?

I have never once felt awkward, though this may be because I am accustomed to switching names & 'identites' in different situations. Unfortunately I am not sure what the legal requirements or restrictions are in your state nor am I very well aware of the ones in my own (I really need to fix this) so I cannot help in this situation.

[AniaR]

also, I seem to remember it from when I had my experience that Hannah, Melissa, and Kariel ALL had stalkers :( (I had emailed them after I saw the person getting active on their pages and they shared their stories)

[Mermaid Sirena]

Stalkers are not good things, I am happy I have yet to deal with one.

[Spindrift]

In response to using your real name as a mersona name, is it just as effective to use your first name and not release your last name publicly (or even with a combination of a fake last name)? Or do the same concerns stand?

[Spindrift]

Thanks for your time and answers, by the way.

[Mermaid Sirena]

For myself my first name is extremely unique so it's not an option for myself, though for others it certainly is and can work very well if they like it. The only concern is the closer your mer name is to your real one the easier it is for someone obsessed to find you.

[AniaR]

I find too once you let them use your first name if you havent combined it with mermaid they will say your last name

[Spindrift]

So do people in your personal lives respect your wishes by calling you by your stage name when commenting on your page/talking about your mermaiding lives? Or do they not know, or will it eventually slip out?

[AniaR]

So do people in your personal lives respect your wishes by calling you by your stage name when commenting on your page/talking about your mermaiding lives? Or do they not know, or will it eventually slip out?

I personally havent had an issue yet

[Mermaid Sirena]

Well on occasion they use my nickname which is ambiguous and unsearchable so that doesn't bother me, or they call me something like beautiful that is generic. If they are with me on an event they know to call me by Sirena, though I have the advantage of being friends who are familiar with how the entertainment industry works and keeping parts of lives separate (as many do not wish to publicly advertise that they LARP).