I'm trying to determine if it's best to refer to my business as "I" or "we" in marketing materials and on my website, which I am currently putting together. For example: "We can help make your office more efficient..." or "I can help make your office more efficient...".

I think "We" makes it sound like a bigger, more established business, whereas "I" sounds more personal.

Is it best to just be honest, and say "I" if I have no employees? (I won't, initially, and who knows if I ever will).

I firmly believe in the 'royal we.' Yes, there IS a mouse in my pocket! I also refer to myself in third person: Ms. Chambers has been...

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

I think it depends on the clients you are trying to attract. Personally, I use "I" because I am trying to get across that I am a small business helping other small businesses. In my previous business I used 'WE" because I did have the help I needed, when I needed it and I wanted new clients to know that.

I do like Lily when I am writing a bio about my company, third person, as if someone else wrote it.

So I guess I was no help at all in your decision making was I? Its a personal preference IMO

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www.sageva.com
Shelley Halpain,

Yes, it is a personal choice, but if you are keeping track, I use "we offer.." , "we provide.."

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Bernice
Energy Virtual Assistant

Thank you all for the replies thus far. I see the thread was moved - my apologies! - I had initially put the question under "general marketing" because my intent was to ask in the general sense, not just in regards to my website. I only mentioned the website because that's where I was at when the question arose. But I can see where this question fits under either category.


EDIT:
OH! And I just saw the other threads asking the same question. Before posting, I had done a search on the word "we" and got zero results. I don't know what I did wrong! I'm always careful not to post without searching first (which would explain my low post count)

Marc, don't worry! You didn't do anything wrong in posting where you did, threads get moved all the time. Make yourself comfortable here and feel free to post your questions as needed

It's OK if topics get posted more than once or resurface from time to time - forums are organic in their very nature, that's one of the greatest things about it.

Glad to know you found an answer to your question!

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I would agree and also use "we" in all my materials.

I would love to grow into a "we" business one day but for now I feel that if I ever get a request for something that I am either unable to accommodate or don't have the skills for I can always outsource the job to one of my contractors.

Janine
Whistler Virtual Assistant

Depends on the image you want to convey. Just make sure to be consistent when using one or the other.

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Dawn Riley
A Virtual Assistant in Paradise
Our business is about making yours better

I just thought I'd add my 2 cents. When I started I used "we" because I was anxious to sound big and established. Then when I really got to know my clients, I learned from them that they were interested in my services because of ME. They trusted ME with their business processes and counted on ME to learn the ins and outs of their business so I could be proactive. There's a huge trust factor there since our goal as VA's is to form long term relationships.

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Virtual Assistant 3.0

I had "we" in my marketing also, and it was suggested that I change to "I". My mindset was the same as yours, that I wanted to sound like I was an established company.
It's not only interesting, but also important to hear what clients think.