Your title?

[nollieflip]

Here is the situation, you are either self employed, freelance, or own a small business/studio. What title do you give yourself? I am currently playing around with this.

For instance I sort of like Principal but I don't like Owner or President.

Perhaps the best solution is no title on your business card, even if you own it? Inevitably though someone will ask you what position you hold in your company.

I'd be interested in hearing everyone's title ideas.

[JabezStone]

I used "Interactive Media Specialist"

[Loyal Rogue]

My wife and I went thru this when we started our business and had to get business cards. We ended up using "Design Partners" even tho our business isn't technically registered as a partnership, it's registered as a sole proprietorship.

If it was just my business alone I probably would have gone with "Grand Poohbah".

[Ultima Designs]

I am the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). We also have a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and a Chief Creative Officer (CCO).

[erova]

Originally posted by Ultima Designs
I am the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). We also have a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and a Chief Creative Officer (CCO).

mine's simple enough: E-I-E-I-O

[Ultima Designs]

Originally posted by erova
mine's simple enough: E-I-E-I-O

[MAC01]

my title is JACK... jack of all trades, LOL.

hahahahahahaha..

irrelevant, but I'm studying towards CMA/CA designation... some day I'll make Enron look like kid's play, LOL

[nordberg]

i would steer clear of 'owner' or 'ceo' or 'president'.
those titles just scream, "I'm a one man shop!"

partner, pricipal, creative director, etc....

[aversion]

I would steer well clear of anything that smacks of hype, I've seen people laugh at some of the titles people give themselves.

Just call yourself what you are, if you're a freelance web designer, then call yourself a freelance web designer, don't make out like you wear a cape and fight crime in your spare time.

[pastthepresent]

Nordberg, I disagree with your post. Titles like 'owner' or 'ceo' or 'president' do not imply you are a one man shop. If I am the president I want to be called the president b/c I have earned that title. There is alot to be said in a name or title.

[aversion]

Pretending to be something you aren't is never a good idea in business imho.

Just be honest, if you're freelance don't feel like you need to try to hide it.

[nordberg]

Originally posted by pastthepresent
Nordberg, I disagree with your post. Titles like 'owner' or 'ceo' or 'president' do not imply you are a one man shop. If I am the president I want to be called the president b/c I have earned that title. There is alot to be said in a name or title.

that's fine, if you aren't a one-man-shop.
i've just done a lot of hiring, and i get resumes that show job history as:

web designer
web designer
president

just because you went freelance after 2 jobs with design firms, does not mean your skillset is that of a president (did you get an instant MBA or something?). unless you are actually running a company with a minimum of 5-10 employees, saying you are the president is a joke. just my perspective as a hiring manager, nothing more.

[pastthepresent]

I agree with you that one must have a valid company going with employees. A president does more than just design (project management, client relations, etc).

[EllisStudios]

Account exec, I find the clients and take care of the clients needs. I still do some design work but only when really needed. However I dont make this public to the client.

[MG315]

"Client Experience Agent"

not my title but an interesting one I saw on a Chase business card one time (the above post reminded me of it)

[EllisStudios]

AE is a true title. Not a fad, It is just what it says I am an Executive of accounts. I manage and do everything to keep healthy accounts.

[nordberg]

our account executives are our sales people...

[defuzz]

we don't get business cards where I work.....


I used to be plain "Web developer" but the senior web developer left leaving just me as the sole web developer, so depending on my mood I call myself "Head of Web Development" or "Web God". (not really)

It seems a new junior webby will be taken on soon so I can call myself senior web devloper, I could call myself that now but it seems silly to be senior when theres only me!!

[PCRIDE]

I THINK IS CORNEY WHEN POPLE START THERE OWN BUSINESS AND MAKE THEMSELVES THE CEO, i THINK ITS SO FUNNY THAT PEOPLE DO THAT, ITS LIKE OVER NIGHT THEY JUST TURNED INTO A CEO,

i DON'T PUT A TITLE ON MY CARD, JUST HAVE IT LOW KEY

WHHOOT , i STARTED MY OWN BUSINESS AND NOW i AM A CEO!!!!

[Bascule]

You know, everyone is so right about not using a title like CEO for a one man band. Be honest. It's the best policy when you're representing yourself to other businesses. Unless your company has a reason to have a Chief Executive Officer - i.e. it is big enough that people might actually recognise its name, then it just stands out a mile. At the very least you need a board of directors first...

I would stick to 'principal' if you want to indicate that you own the business. Senior Designer, Senior Developer, Programmer etc. All much better...

B.