Thinking of Rebranding with a Pen Name? Here’s What You Need to Know

Rebranding as an author can be scary, especially when you're introducing a new pen name. As I work on evolving my own author brand to integrate Ivy Cassidy alongside Melissa Bourbon and Winnie Archer, I’ve been asking myself some big-picture questions. If you’re thinking of a similar move—maybe to branch into a new genre, clarify your reader brand, or start fresh—these are the same questions I recommend you ask, too.

Let's take a look at the why, the how, and the what next of author rebranding.

Top 10 Questions to Ask When Rebranding with a Pen Name

1. Why am I rebranding?
   Is it genre clarity? Reader confusion? A fresh start? You need to be very clear on the reason. Knowing this will guide your strategy.

2. Will I create new social media accounts or merge with existing ones?
   Can your current audience handle the pivot—or will you benefit from starting a clean, focused feed?

3. What platforms do I actually need to update?
   Website, newsletter, Amazon Author Central, BookBub, Goodreads, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube. The list goes on and one. Prioritize what matters most to your brand visibility.

4. How will I visually distinguish this new brand?
   Fonts, colors, imagery. Are you going moody and magical or bright and cozy? This is your branding profile, and it will inform every future pin, post, and promo.

5. What’s my content strategy for the new name?
   Blog posts? Behind-the-scenes reels? Reader magnets? Will you post separately or cross-promote? Think carefully about this as it impacts your time and efficiency.

6. How will I manage my time across multiple names?
   This is another big one. Will you batch content monthly? Rotate weekly? Outsource design? Staying sane is part of a good strategy…and it’s essential!

7. What happens to the old brand(s)?
   Are you maintaining, merging, or phasing out previous names or series? You want to keep readers informed so they understand what is happening.

8. Will my newsletter reflect this new name?
   Do you need a fresh list or a segmented audience? (I’m keeping my Melissa Bourbon list but segmenting for Ivy Cassidy and Winnie Archer readers, as well.)

9. What are my rebranding goals?
   Understanding your goals will help you move toward them. Do you want a more aligned readership? Better sales in a new genre? A clearer, unified online presence? Take the time to understand what you want.

10. How will I know it’s working?
    What metrics will you use to determine your success? Are you looking at Engagement? Sales? Email signups? Decide what and how you can track your progress.

Want the checklist version of these questions?
👉 Grab the free Pen Name Rebranding Checklist

Pinterest can absolutely support a multi-pen-name strategy—you just need a plan!

~Melissa (and Ivy 😉)

📌 Catch up on previous 100-Day Pinterest for Authors Challenge posts here
📌 Learn more about the Pinterest Power for Authors course here