Choosing the right pen name

Do you write under your own name or like this Hubber do you prefer to use a pen name. A pen name may be chosen for many reasons. For this hubber it was a lack of confidence in the early days of writing. Although that is not as bad as it used to be it is still there. Ideally it is best to blow your own trumpet and attract readers. Some of us do not find that easy.

So a pen name can help.

Having used the name of Ethel Smith for more than 4 years it suits me. It has personal links and feels right. It is not the most SEO friendly name in the world though

The problem with the name Ethel Smith is that a famous organ playing lady was also called this. SEO, or search engine optimisation, is not so easy with such a pen name. Search for Ethel Smith and you will find this hubber but you will also find "Weird Hammond Organ Lady Tico Tico"

I hate to show my ignorance but that Ethel Smith was unknown to me until I began writing.

These days I am starting to use my own name but that's not so easy. Once you have chosen a pen name it is sensible to stick with it. You will soon gain a reputation and changing name mid stream is not always a good idea.

If I had stuck with my real name, Eileen Kersey, I would probably have faired better. It is a little more unusual but there are others with the same name online.

So the best advice is give your pen name considerable thought. It may be with you for many years, if your online writing becomes a long standing hobby or occupation. Of course if you are lucky enough, or maybe unlucky enough, to have a name such as Desiree Shufflebottom, you will probaby be a one off.

There is a line of thinking that pen names are a bad thing. That you should want to associate yourself with your work. Otherwise it is unethical. To my mind that is bunkum. We were not all blessed with a wonderful education and easy path in life. For some writing is a skill that develops in time. We are not all bid heads after all.

The best advice seems to be to try to write using an individual and catchy name. It is one of the steps needed to become visible on search engines. Confidence is key and in time it will come.