I see a lot of VA's speaking in the plural form on their websites (I vs We). I don't feel comfortable with it, but have been debating whether I should do it or not. What do you use?

I thought about this a bit when I was creating my website, even discussed it with a few people, and I decided on "I" because the truth is, I'm only one person right now. I'd rather be upfront about it because I want to work with people who aren't turned off by that. If my business grows to include more than one person, then I would switch to "we."

This is an interesting topic and I'm curious to see the replies!

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Liz
Blue Canary Design & Virtual Assistance

Hi

That one was easy for me! I use 'we' on my website, because there really is a 'we'. I have an associate who often works behind the scenes as my graphic designer and sounding board.

I think a lot of it depends on how you set your website up, what content you include, etc. It is probably better to be honest and not sell your company as being bigger than it really is. It also depends on how you sell your services, if you want people to instantly connect with the person behind the business then definitely use 'I'. If you want more of a corporate look and feel, then 'we' would work better. If you sub-contract, then it's probably acceptable to say 'we'.

Hope that helps!

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Ann du Plessis
www.virtuallythere.co.za

I think it is down to a matter of preference. By using "we" you make your business sound bigger and by using "I" you make it clear that you are a solopreneur. There is nothing wrong with using either. It really depends on how you want your business to be perceived.

For my website I ended up writing my verbiage so that I avoided both references. Instead I mention my business name and for myself I talk in the third person. It gave me the opportunity to repeat both my business name and personal name several times throughout the copy. My goal is that potential clients who visit my website remember both names - Linda at ClockwiseVA.

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Linda
Clockwise Virtual Assistance

What a great question! I recently revised my website, and I decided to change from "I" to we while revising my site" because my husband helps me with writing...but after reading these posts, I'm not being truly honest.

and, let's face it, one of my values if "integrity".

SO - I'm changing my site back to 'I'.

Thanks for the post ... and I look forward to reading other comments.

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Terri Williams, Assisting the small business owner
www.terripwilliams.com

We had no problem with this issue becuase we are a team of 3 with different areas of expertise so we did not have an issue talking about a team or using "we". In many instances on our website we have used the company's name, so hopefully by the time they leave our website they will remember our company's name.

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Mariana
Online Team www.onlineteam.com.au

You could always just use the company name if you are unsure/uncomfortable with we/I
'Company name can help you with blablabla' ''Company name have been in the VA industry since___'

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Telephone Answering virtual assistant
alldaypa.com

Thanks for all the feedback! It's been very helpful.

IMHO, I don't see using "we" as being an issue of integrity. I see it as an issue of image. I don't want prospective clients to think that, as a individual, I might not be able to handle any more business, judging solely by the image of "I" vs. "we". It's a psychological thing, I guess.

Over the years, I have worked for many lawyer solo practitioners and they have always used the pronoun "we" when referring to their business. I plan to us "we," as well. I don't see it as an issue. JM2C

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Collaborative Business Support

If you're operating on your own and have no-one else providing support then 'I' is quite appropriate.

If you're working with other VAs, i.e outsourcing, or they're outsourcing to you, etc it's quite appropriate to put 'we'.