Setting Up Your Account - Choosing a Username

Thanks for choosing HubPages! Before setting up an account and choosing a username, we would like to offer a few suggestions regarding good usernames.

Think of how you would like to brand yourself as a writer. Many Hubbers use their real name or a pen name so that potential employers or other readers know who they are and are aware of the quality of their writing. When you create high quality Hubs, you are creating a name for yourself as a legitimate writer and contributor of useful information to the web.

• Your real name: It is up to you whether you use your real name or not. If you are building a brand around your name, it's a great idea. However, if you touch on topics that you'd otherwise be uncomfortable discussing in public, you might need to think twice about using your real name. One advantage of using your real name is credibility. If potential employers search for you online, they can find your high quality work on HubPages and get to know you as a superior author. Another reason to use your real name is that Google is adding weight to cross-platform online publishing behavior.
• Your topic of interest: You might be very interested in quilting, so calling yourself Quilting Jim might seem like a good idea. But how's that going to look if you start publishing articles on other subjects? In this case, having a specific topic-centric name might not be the best idea.
• A pen name: This might be advisable if you want a touch of anonymity. A name that is original and unique, but that you have used elsewhere on the web is a good idea.

And remember, once you've registered that name, you can't change it, but you can always close your account and register a new name. Unfortunately, you can't transfer your Hubs from one account to another, so choosing your name wisely from the get-go is a great idea!

Now that you have your username, let's find out how to set up your profile pic by visiting our guide: Setting Up Your Account Part 2.