 |
|
 |
|
 |

04-15-2009
|
|
New Member
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: New Haven, CT
Posts: 11
|
|
"I" or "We" in marketing materials?
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).
|
|

04-15-2009
|
 |
Senior Member
Company name: The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 2,889
|
|
Re: "I" or "We" in marketing materials?
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...
|
|

04-15-2009
|
 |
Junior Member
Company name: Sage Virtual Assistance
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 390
|
|
Re: "I" or "We" in marketing materials?
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
|
|

04-15-2009
|
 |
Junior Member
Company name: BCI-Your Executive Virtual Assistant
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Calgary, AB Canada
Posts: 450
|
|
Re: "I" or "We" in marketing materials?
Yes, it is a personal choice, but if you are keeping track, I use "we offer.." , "we provide.."
|
|

04-15-2009
|
|
New Member
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: New Haven, CT
Posts: 11
|
|
Re: "I" or "We" in marketing materials?
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)
|
|

04-15-2009
|
 |
Forum Administration
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 671
|
|
Re: "I" or "We" in marketing materials?
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!
|
|

04-15-2009
|
|
New Member
Company name: Whistler Virtual Assistant
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Whistler, B.C.
Posts: 20
|
|
Re: "I" or "We" in marketing materials?
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
|
|

04-15-2009
|
 |
Resident Member
Company name: A Virtual Assistant in Paradise
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,853
|
|
Re: "I" or "We" in marketing materials?
Depends on the image you want to convey. Just make sure to be consistent when using one or the other.
|
|

04-17-2009
|
|
Contributing Member
Company name: Virtual Office Strategies
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Delano, MN
Posts: 98
|
|
Re: "I" or "We" in marketing materials?
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.
|
|

04-30-2009
|
 |
Contributing Member
Company name: TimeToGoVirtual.com
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 61
|
|
Re: "I" or "We" in marketing materials?
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.
|
|

05-09-2009
|
 |
Contributing Member
Company name: Elite Virtual Assistant/Concierge Servic
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 76
|
|
Re: "I" or "We" in marketing materials?
I'm glad to know that there is no rule set in stone about using "I" or "We" when there is only an "I". I was wondering about that myself and, to be honest I have been using "We" but felt guilty because I'd feel like I was advertising falsely or giving a false impression of my business by making potential customers think "I" am a larger business than I really am. So, now, I'll probably start using "I" just to make myself feel better. I hope it doesn't hurt my chances of growing my clientele.
|
|

06-05-2009
|
|
Contributing Member
Company name: My Virtual Angel
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: NSW Australia
Posts: 67
|
|
Re: "I" or "We" in marketing materials?
I use "We" as well but i do have a web developer and graphic designer who i am planning on outsourcing some work to. So eventually "i" will be "we" and i won't need to change it when it happens.
|
|

06-05-2009
|
|
New Member
Company name: Progressive Synergy
|
|
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 16
|
|
Re: "I" or "We" in marketing materials?
I currently use "we", but thinking of changing to "I".
|
|

06-05-2009
|
 |
Resident Member
Company name: Shore Office Services LLC
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Jersey Shore
Posts: 1,092
|
|
Re: "I" or "We" in marketing materials?
Marc, great question and one that I see posted a lot. I know, I am guilty of this and have to make some changes on my own Web site. I know I have both which gives a mixed message to anyone viewing my site.
I think all the replies on this thread are on track and very helpful.  What I got out of this is to keep it consistant whatever you choose, if you are a "one person show" then it's ok to say it and use "I" instead of "we". I think PCs appreciate the fact that we can be small and it may be easier for them to be able to get to know us and trust us. Versus a large company where you may get different reps each time you need something and customer service may be less than what you hope for.
Jo-Carole
|
|

06-05-2009
|
|
Contributing Member
Company name: CJ's Virtual Business Solutions
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 242
|
|
Re: "I" or "We" in marketing materials?
I've debated about "I" vs "We" and have chosen to use I. Like some of you have said I want people to know they are working with me - not a group of people.
"We" was what I was planning to use because I have subcontractors in various areas. But, since I am the business owner the client with contract with me and I want them to feel they are getting the personal touch.
So, to each their own. Depends on the image you want to portray. Neither way is "wrong"!
Carol
CJ's Virtual Business Solutions
|
|
 |
|
| Thread Tools |
|
|
| Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:26 AM.
|
|