Using an alias/fake name while cold-calling?

oplaopla

oplaopla

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I just wanted to get some thoughts on this topic. I am a French native citizen - born in France, speak French, etc ... I currently live in the US. I speak English with no accent; I sound just like your average American. My name (French obviously) is similar phonetically to a famous NFL quarterback and therefore when I introduce myself, people often ask me "Is that your nickname?". I then have to explain that I am French and blablabla. I have never had any problems with my name but was wondering if when cold-calling, it would be better to use a fake generic name such as Dave Johnson or something that people wouldn't question. I was also thinking that if I register a company, I could simply put the name of the company on the contract instead of my own and they wouldn't question it. I would like to know what you guys think about this, the legality of using a fake name to call people, as well as any downsides you see to doing this.
 
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I don't think it will be an issue if you keep in consistent. I've met a lot of Asians who didn't have an English name when they first came to Canada, so they made one up and use that as their 'unofficial' name. Some even legally added their English name onto their passport when they grew older.
 
I think having a "different" name is actually great as a conversation starter and something to be proud of.
... but to answer your question, if you think a pen-name will help you, I don't see why not go for it!

Sur ca, bonne chance ;)
 
It's all about comfort. If you would feel more comfortable using a different name go for it. There's nothing legally to worry about.
 
Argent said:
I think having a "different" name is actually great as a conversation starter and something to be proud of.
... but to answer your question, if you think a pen-name will help you, I don't see why not go for it!

Sur ca, bonne chance ;)
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I agree that it is a good conversation starter but when cold calling, I am not necessarily looking to start a conversation!
 
Yes! you can. No issues. If your name is your problem, file an affidavit in court and get a new English name.
 
BusinessMagnet said:
Yes! you can. No issues. If your name is your problem, file an affidavit in court and get a new English name.
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Thanks. I'm not sure I want to legally get an English name but I would also like to know if you guys think it's doable to present myself as a telemarketer and when showing up to a meeting, just saying that I'm the boss and that the person who called them was just one of my telemarketers?
 
Well you don't have to lie about it being one of your employees, you could just say that it's your nickname when you meet them in person and then use the NFL thing as a convo starter to make them at ease once you're in the actual meeting. It's also common for people to use common alternative forms of their names, for example someone by the name of Michael could go by Mike or Robert for instance would go by Bob so if you look at it like that, not as bizarre as it sounds.
 
You'll be fine. I ran a call center a few years ago and of the 23 Telemarketers I had, a majority were foreign and all of but a couple used "American" names as it made them feel more comfortable when speaking with a customer. Also, customers feel more comfortable when they think they're speaking with a Native even though the accents can often times give it away. But, you don't have an accent so you can easily get away with changing your name. :)

Veyron
 
If you change your name, get comfortable with it. You don't want to slip up and say your actual name after using another.
But there's nothing wrong with it as previously said.
 
Veyron said:
You'll be fine. I ran a call center a few years ago and of the 23 Telemarketers I had, a majority were foreign and all of but a couple used "American" names as it made them feel more comfortable when speaking with a customer. Also, customers feel more comfortable when they think they're speaking with a Native even though the accents can often times give it away. But, you don't have an accent so you can easily get away with changing your name. :)

Veyron
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funkybunker said:
If you change your name, get comfortable with it. You don't want to slip up and say your actual name after using another.
But there's nothing wrong with it as previously said.
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Alright thanks guys, I was really questioning the legality of it as people seem to make a huge deal about identity theft here so I didn't want to be stepping into something that wasn't allowed by law. As you said, Veyron, I really feel like people here trust foreigners less so I will definitely be using an alternative name.
 
I am not from the US so I am not sure of what is accepted there but in the UK there is a system where you can create an alternate business name, it is called 'Doing Business As'. Then on all of your business documents and interactions you can use that name.

There may be a few guidelines that have to be followed that I don't know of as I haven't done it personally but if you Google that phrase it may start you on the right path of finding out.

Good luck!
 
Oops double post*
 
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I have a call center here in SoCal and with a name like yours (not knowing what is but assuming if ppl ask you if thats a nick name) is a good thing the cold calling world.

1.-There is no issue with france and America so you don't need to worry about that.
2.-Your name can be used as a opener or conversation starter.
3.-If you were from india or Philippines yes totally use a different name. They change them so americans can pronounce their names and make them feel more comfortable but we all know none of them are really John Smith (LMA0)
4.If you have a super ghetto name, change it---shmika , latifa, etc or middle eastern names change it. not because its a racist statement but because americans won't buy from those types of names.

Hope this helps.
5.
 
Execute said:
I am not from the US so I am not sure of what is accepted there but in the UK there is a system where you can create an alternate business name, it is called 'Doing Business As'. Then on all of your business documents and interactions you can use that name.

There may be a few guidelines that have to be followed that I don't know of as I haven't done it personally but if you Google that phrase it may start you on the right path of finding out.

Good luck!
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Thanks! This is EXACTLY what I was looking for. They say that it exists both in the US and Canada and that you can use that name on invoices and other business documents!
 
Trepanated said:
Why the hell are you posting on every dead thread you can find?
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The poster below you is pretty good at that also.

high risk processing said:
If you are getting people who are responding to your name that is fantastic and you should use that. I know sometimes it can get annoying explaining your name each time but that is called building rapport and that is the name of the game when it comes to cold calling.

I have done cold calling for several years and building rapport is the key to any type of sales and if you have a name that people think is cool or different or unique its great for building rapport.
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