It took me a while to create a Steemit account, mainly because I couldn't decide on what my username should be. On one hand, I've been using my Reddit username to take part in crypto forum discussions. On the other hand, I already blog on Medium and Quora as well as for MIT under my real name. I wanted to link to my Steemit posts from other social networks with my real name but most accounts I saw on Steemit were under pseudonyms. The issue (and great thing) is Steemit's flexibility to act both as an online forum like Reddit and a blogging platform like Medium.

I began to wonder which one was better to use. In my first two months of using Steemit, I've seen successful examples of both. So I did some research and I've broken down the pros and cons of each.

Usernames

Examples: @thecryptofiend, @oleg326756, @papa-pepper, @infobunny, @cardboard, @sweetsssj, @firepower, @stackin, @stellabelle

Pros

• Anonymity. With a username, people feel more free to post what they want where they want. They're less hesitant to state unpopular opinions and are more likely to have truthful discussions free from social pressure. We all have those subreddits we subscribe to that we wouldn't "like" on Facebook.
• Privacy. A username adds a layer of privacy to users who don't want to blatantly link their real name to any personal details that might show up in their posts.
• Branded Personality. Names are names, but with a username one could define what they are all about. I'm thinking of @heiditravels, @stackin, @thecryptofiend, @cryptogirl1, or one of the many other accounts with a keyword in their name.

Cons

• Outgrowing a name. People sign up with one name but after using the platform for a while, they want to branch out and write about something else. But they transition smoothly because their username already has a keyword like "crypto" or "food" in it. Or it's too unprofessional sounding and they want something else. On Steemit, it's not currently possible to change your name so you're stuck with what you choose.
• Could come off as spammy. Having a bunch of numbers or random words in a username could be seen as spammy unless you have a good profile picture or a strong brand built up.
  *False sense of privacy. Even with a username, it's possible for someone to find out who's real name is attached to it.

Real names

Examples: @evanrvoss, @joshsigurdson, @jerrybanfield, @joeparys, @stephenkendal, @barrydutton, @hilarski, @ericvancewalton

Pros

• Familiarity. Seeing a real name lets users feel like they're talking to a real person. It makes that user seem more relatable.
• Freedom from subject matter. When using a real name, a user doesn't have to worry about one day wanting to write about something unrelated. Their username doesn't commit them to a specific category.
• Contains an air of professionalism. It's easier for an account with a real name to look more legit than an account with a made up username.
• Off-site branding. Steemit posts seem to have unusually good SEO. Online personas could benefit from reformatting their content for Steem under their actual name. Many of the names listed above link back to their personal websites that also use their real name.

Cons

• Less anonymity. Every post and comment is linked back to a real name, so people may be more reserved in what they say and share.
• Less privacy. Every post and comment is linked back to a real name, which makes it easier to track someone online.

Conclusion

Ultimately, it comes down to what kind of brand you want to have on Steemit. Do you want to stay anonymous and be able to post freely without needing to consider your personal reputation? Username it is. Are you a blogger with a personal brand already built around your name? Sounds like real name is the way to go. My hope is that the Steemit platform remains flexible enough to accommodate all the different kinds of accounts people would want to make.

So, friends on Steemit, which do you use and why?