Commenting is key to connect with people.
This is key, don't and the votes will wash over the recipient.
An introduction post is important and it should have good proof of who you are. A video is a good option as it is relatively hard to fake (but deepfakes are improving). Link to your Steem account from other places, e.g. Twitter.
Some of this I agree with, some want to remain anon, it's one of the features of Steemit that you can use if you are more of the secretive type.
Even if you stay anonymous you still need to show you are original and have something to offer. It's up to the community to decide on that. We have freedom to do what we want.
Oh yes, being different from the crowd always helps. I still hide behind the maniac but if you dig you can find...