"I" or &q...
 

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[Closed] "I" or "we" for one man band company website?

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I'm just writing up a website for my one man band company to be (hopefully) started in the new year.

I feel like a bit of a pretentious knob writing "we offer xyz.." when really its "I offer xyz...".

Its a software / engineering consultancy so obviously one man band ish but I'll also be looking to take on slightly bigger jobs as I have contacts that I would farm out other specialised areas as you would and manage the project.

Over thinking it I expect.


 
Posted : 14/12/2014 9:28 pm
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We!
Even if it's just you and the cat.


 
Posted : 14/12/2014 9:31 pm
 devs
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We.


 
Posted : 14/12/2014 9:31 pm
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Just use the passive and keep I/We out of iit.

These products are offered...


 
Posted : 14/12/2014 9:32 pm
 cozz
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I, its more focused and personal


 
Posted : 14/12/2014 9:32 pm
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We, pretend it's for someone else if you need to.


 
Posted : 14/12/2014 9:33 pm
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"I" may help you fall foul of IR35.

I'd use the company name or we. "One Man Band Consultancy offer a wide range of..."


 
Posted : 14/12/2014 9:34 pm
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Can always use the company name...

E.g. "brickworks consulting" offer xyz


 
Posted : 14/12/2014 9:34 pm
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+1 for we.

It's something I've noticed with many sole traders. Not one myself but I guess it's something to do with making oneself seem less like 1 man offering services, and more like you have a team supporting you.


 
Posted : 14/12/2014 9:34 pm
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bensales - Member
"I" may help you fall foul of IR35.

The new guidance is much more straight forward - take the test on the web page


 
Posted : 14/12/2014 9:36 pm
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I struggle with the same.

If you're contracting and trying to stay outside of IR35, people will say "we" as you need to look like a business, but I don't think they hold much value in it. I feel conflicted as I want to promote myself as a freelance business. Unfortunately we don't have a Freelance Company concept in the UK, only Ltd Company or Sole Trader, and the latter doesn't afford protection between client and freelancer, but the former wasn't designed for a one man band.

I definitely don't like "we" as it's a bit impersonal and confuses potential clients.

Trendy thing in software is to make it blog like and big up your portfolio, online professional presence (github etc). Bit like a freelance photographer would do.


 
Posted : 14/12/2014 9:38 pm
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I like the passive idea of using the company name. Thanks. Although I am now tempted put the cat on the staff, a cat would work in HR, the cat would b e a HR manager defiantly!


 
Posted : 14/12/2014 9:38 pm
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Trendy thing in software is to make it blog like and big up your portfolio, online professional presence (github etc).

I know. Look at my ARM start up code that was taken from some other website / magazine article. ARM start up code and alter a bit... Download it from my Git hub...bla bla bla.


 
Posted : 14/12/2014 9:41 pm
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We - if you subcontract then they are effectively your employees.


 
Posted : 14/12/2014 9:43 pm
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One.


 
Posted : 14/12/2014 9:44 pm
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If you're thinking of farming out, then we. The only reason to use I is if you want to trade off the personal, one-man-and-I'm-really-good approach but that's probably not often the best choice


 
Posted : 14/12/2014 9:57 pm
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We, especially if you are likely to expand in the future and get someone in to help now and then?


 
Posted : 14/12/2014 10:19 pm
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I started off using we, (and it was true for a bit) now use I as it's more personal. But bikes are differnt to consultancy, I'd probably stick with we.


 
Posted : 14/12/2014 10:45 pm
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I started using 'we' and trying to make myself sound like a proper company. I got a range of enquiries and soon realised that the jobs I could do and the jobs I wanted to do are ones where the personal touch is important. The clients looking for a big company weren't asking for the services I could privide and often weren't the people I wanted to be working for even if I could land the job. My site is now a bit more friendly and personal to hopefully attract friendly and personal clients.


 
Posted : 14/12/2014 10:56 pm
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TheBrick - Member
I know. Look at my ARM start up code that was taken from some other website / magazine article. ARM start up code and alter a bit... Download it from my Git hub...bla bla bla.

I'm seeing a fair number of job ads now that ask for evidence of github projects and open source involvement. Even seen a few spout "rockstar developer" wanted 🙄


 
Posted : 14/12/2014 11:14 pm
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If people who go to the site know it's your personal site and you're a one man band then you'll come across very badly. Either pretentious, desperate or dishonest. You may also have to explain to a prospective client that the "we" is just you, and you used "we" to make yourself sound more impressive. That can be embarrassing.


 
Posted : 14/12/2014 11:25 pm
 nach
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Using the company name is a good middle ground. I sometimes use "we", but only for stuff where I take on other freelancers in order to scale a bit.

A friend in IT went full-on "we" and got a VAT number even when his turnover was way below the threshold, because both helped him to get bigger clients. I've found universities and corporations don't seem to care much about I/we, but "I" always feels a bit dirty and like it's letting them look behind the curtain. Ltd. company status makes loads of stuff/admin with them much easier though, and by itself kind of implies "we" under most circumstances.


 
Posted : 14/12/2014 11:59 pm
 hels
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NEVER use the passive - terrible idea ! It makes the copy wordy and indirect.

"We" is better, as is direct and clear writing. Think about your audience and use appropriate language.

(happy to proofread if you like)


 
Posted : 15/12/2014 8:32 am
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I and I...?

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 15/12/2014 8:36 am
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Unless your business is "gardening", I and I is unlikely to help you secure work.


 
Posted : 15/12/2014 9:30 am
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Depends what you do.

If you are an artist, I would refer to yourself, if you are an IT company I would refer to the company name or 'we'.


 
Posted : 15/12/2014 9:44 am
 wl
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+1 Depends what you do. Very probably 'we' since you've said you might start project managing jobs involving others. I'm a one-man band, but 'I' suits my line of business better (creative industries, including branding and writing websites).


 
Posted : 15/12/2014 11:08 am
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One.

Still a little over familiar. I recommend full third person references: "She has long been known as a rockstar developer in seven languages and a dozen countries."


 
Posted : 15/12/2014 11:13 am

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