Is it necessary to have picture and lastname on a psychic / spiritual blog

[run_fly]

I am currently working diligently on preparing a spiritual blog and offering a service to do readings online as a psychic medium. (like Erin)

I am hesitating weather or not I should publish my picture and my last name on the website for privacy reasons.

At first glance that may sound as if I am projecting fear but I am a very reserved person and that will not change that is just who I am.. I do have lots of courage and I can publish my picture and last name if required.

I went through a tremendous amount of life lessons at a very young age and I do have lots of spiritual wisdom that I want to share online via blogging and I want to use personal examples of others without naming people (example: an old girlfriend, a good friend of mine)

If this blog does increase in traffic and I did have my picture and last name on the site I want to protect the identity of those who I mention and I also don't want people bugging me in my personal life about my blog.

My question out there for all the Pavlina fans... Is there anything wrong with offering a professional service as a psychic without having a picture and a last name to identify myself when doing readings?

[tboswell1216]

I don't think that you need to have your last name and a picture in order to give quality readings. However, people are going to be more afraid to get a reading from you if they think that you are hiding something (like a last name). I suggest using your middle name and your mothers maiden name so that you have a first and last name posted on the site that your customers will see. You could also make up a name that you like and use that. People seem to be more trusting if you are more open, especially since there is so much bad press about all psychics being frauds and taking peoples money. (I don't believe this, but many skeptics do.)

As for the photo of you, you could post your photo and touch it up, so that it will be you, but most people will not recognize you walking down the street. There are many photo programs that can change your hair color, complexion, and even your facial features.

I think that you should do whatever feels comfortable to you. If you start out one way and are not comfortable with it, you can always change it later. These are just some suggestions of things that you could do.

Good luck with your new business!

[Erin Pavlina]

I think you should be authentic, use your real name, and photo, and just don't put anything up online that you wouldn't want attributed to you.

Besides, if you want to build a name for yourself, don't be obscure. It suggests you have something to hide.

I have a lot more trust and faith in someone who uses their name and face and stands behind everything they say with their own reputation and credibility on the line.

[Anna Conlan]

Personally, I don't think I would ever hire a psychic without a photo on their site unless I felt I knew them through some other means, like audio or something. I like to get a feel/a sense for what someone is like by looking at their photo. And I would be questioning why the psychic is not showing their whole self on their site...i.e. what they're wanting to hide.

You don't have to share anything on your blog that you're not comfortable with sharing and if people ask you questions you don't want to answer, don't answer them.

[Angela Leeds]

Originally Posted by Erin Pavlina

I think you should be authentic, use your real name, and photo, and just don't put anything up online that you wouldn't want attributed to you.

Besides, if you want to build a name for yourself, don't be obscure. It suggests you have something to hide.

I have a lot more trust and faith in someone who uses their name and face and stands behind everything they say with their own reputation and credibility on the line.

I agree.

I'm also more comfortable remaining private, run_fly, but online I've chosen to be fully open and authentic as to my identity. I think that not only does it enable others to connect with and trust you, but it also encourages you to be 100% real with what you say. You must stand behind your words and choose them with genuine "authority"... because they're going to be google-able for a long time.

Anonymity can subtley encourage sloppiness or hubris, because your accountability is less.

[run_fly]

Thank you Erin, Angela, Anna, and tboswell1216

Your replies do make sense. I will add be brave and a photo in "about me" section and have my full name.

My second concern now is my family... Anything spiritual and my family don't go hand and hand... I was in a deep conversation with a friend about spirituality, healing, guides, and psychic stuff and my mom overheard me. Yes.. I still do live with my parents.. But will be moving this summer ... The next morning my mom offered to pay for me to see a psychologist because of what she was hearing... After that I haven't brought up anything spiritual related with them.. I will not talk about it in my house or to any family members.

My family (brother, sister, mom, dad) and myself are complete opposites! They are afraid to talk about anything spiritual or anything deep at all. They talk mostly about money, and security (Seriously) It is very boring... I am at a very very high level of awareness compared to my family just sitting there saying nothing but small talk waiting for the day when I can leave the house and live on my own (financial reasons)

Is it ok not to mention to your family that your doing psychic work on a part-time basis... My mom is really snoopy and eavesdrop on me. I am vegetarian and I heard her talk to a neighbor "oh he is just going through that phase"... Everytime I go to Reiki, meditation, and Yoga courses or leave the house I can tell she is projecting fear onto me.,, because in her perspective she is worried about me because I am getting into all this "stuff". There is no way telling them that I will be doing this part time online will turn out good... They will react with fear and negativity... that could potentially put up a wall between us which is really sad.

I still want to be somewhat connected with my family. Once I leave the nest.

My current and future strategy is when I am around my family (I feel will be a lot less then now but still every now and then) is to talk at there level of awareness which has been working IE: simple everyday stuff.

Once I leave my parents house I will be connecting with very positive and spiritual people on a regular basis.. I already have a vast network of spiritual people and great open friends in my city which is great So thats no problem...

Fully coming out of the closet (psychic) - boy it's not remotely easy when it comes to my family members... A lot of people already know like my best friend but not them... They just don't understand it's like we live on different planets... It is very sad but there is nothing I can do.

If they come across my website (highly unlikely) Then sure I will talk about it but that site will most likely never resonate with them. But I have no problem to fully embrace it with the online spiritual community.

No matter what - I will not allow fear stop me from becoming a professional psychic medium, Reiki healer and spiritual blogger... if it means my family finds out so be it! I know the world needs a lot of healing work and direction this is more important then keeping a "smooth" relationship with my immediate family.

[Erin Pavlina]

It definitely can be hard with family. I was very very lucky that mine was so open, accepting, and supportive.

In time, they will get used to what you do. I would discourage you from hiding it from them, though you don't have to flaunt it in their face either. Just live your life the way you want. if they withdraw their love because of what you do for a living, then that's their choice and you can react accordingly. But don't hide. It will create a disconnect.

[Anna Conlan]

Most of my family and friends don't really believe in what I do...a few of them think I'm downright nutty I do often get teased by family and friends about psychic stuff, it's mostly good humoured though.

And occasionally you come across someone who is really threatened by what you do, and it can be a family member or close friend. The other week I met a friend of a friend, who was Catholic, and when I explained what I do, he told me I was working for the devil and/or mentally ill. That upset me a bit.

But, I've attracted the perfect experiences to teach me courage and a sense of what feels right and wrong to me. I'm sure any seemingly unpleasant experiences you may have involving family will help you to grow and become stronger on your chosen path.

Also, I learned to take things with a pinch of salt, as to other people's opinions after a while. People disagree on almost everything, anyway. Psychic stuff is no exception...

[Erin Pavlina]

When people tell me I work for the devil I just joke back at them.

"I tried working for Satan but he was always firing me."
"Satan doesn't offer the same health benefits as God does, so I went with the Almighty instead."

Let them have their reactions, but don't let it get you down.

[Angela Leeds]

Originally Posted by Erin Pavlina

"I tried working for Satan but he was always firing me."
"Satan doesn't offer the same health benefits as God does, so I went with the Almighty instead."

cute.