[oldcynic]

> magically appeared on the internet just a few months ago

You mean like everyone else just after they join reddit or HN? Same for blogging - there's plenty blogging and YouTubing under some cute handle rather than their given name. Plenty change names from marriage or other reasons such as abuse, witness protection or gender reassignment. More than a few have chosen to disappear, including Why the Lucky Stiff who was quite famous for a while.

All you have to do is establish a few karma points, i.e. gain a little credibility online, and vanishingly few will care what you're called or if you've always been throwaway250618.

If you go on to instigate a huge scam then people will put some effort into history and doxxing.

[throwaway250618]

I think you’re right, but the importance of some history to the credibility is higher in certain areas. If I write an article and post it on HN, then yes, I don’t think people here care too much about my public history, procided that the article is interesting.

But if I decide to write and sell a book or produce a paid course, then having no history related to the field I’m trying to be an expert in feels pretty sketchy.

I can say for myself: when I’m considering buying a book or a course, I research the author.

[oldcynic]

I would too for a technical book or course, to a point. Mainly as so many have managed to successfully sell garbage. ;)

A refund policy and giving away a couple of random lessons or chapters should cover credibility there. Some months blogging in that niche and some reasonably written code over on github should be enough background for casual searching. Build the rest as you go. I don't think it's too hard to stand apart from the Internet Marketer types.

You probably don't need much background for a $29 ebook or video course to sell, you probably do for a $1,999 on site course.