I am designing a brochure at the moment and writing the copy, and I keep changing my wording and now I've just confused myself

 

I am a freelancer, who works from home. But, I very often work with other freelancers both designers, developers and film makers...

 

So in the brochure do I use 'I' as it's mainly promoting my business, or do I use 'we' which makes it look more like a company...

 

Maybe just trivial but I've never been sure and I don't want to give the wrong impression

Hmmmm good question Loxley

 

We makes it sound like you have more people working with you - and also sounds more professional in my opinion. I seems a bit too 'one man band' for me.

 

Both will have their benefits and drawbacks - for instance, using WE will make some people who want a freelancer to build their site overlook you as they will think you will charge too much if you are paying out wages. Using 'I' will make some people feel you don't have the resources available to do the job.

 

It is a fine balance. I would say that you should use 'We', but make it clear that 'We' refers to a group of freelances who are not on a salary and work per project; so they will only be used if their skills are absolutely necessary to the project etc...

 

Good luck

I've thought about this in the past, but always settled on the fact that even though I sometimes outsource work to fellow professionals, I should always use "I", as my company's name is Russell Bishop, not "Bishop Designs".

Personally, I always put "We" regardless of who you are, or how many people you have working for you. Mainly because I'm in an LLP so, as an incorporated body, surely, a "We" is the right use.

 

Freelancers though, I'd say "We" aswell - more professional.

Great answers guys -

 

Russ I can see your point, except I do have business name rather than using my own name so I guess we is acceptable!

 

Glad it's not just me whose not 100% sure though, feel better now!

I generally stick to "We" for mass communications or writing about the company and then move to I once I've established a dialogue with a potential customer so it's clear that they're dealing with me (ie a real person) rather than just a random custom service team member!

Good point Dxnx, thanks

It all depends on who you are marketing to! Home users prefer 'I' as opposed to 'We' because it sounds more personal which people like.

 

However if you are a 1 man band why use 'We' if you are only one - it can cause confusion and make yourself look bigger than you actually are.

 

Limited companies etc should use 'We' because a company is viewed as a legal entity so with the director there is more than one person.

To be grammatically correct if your name is a company ie Great Graphics Ltd, you should speak in singular terms, but obviously not 'I'. A company is an 'it'. It will sound strange at first because most people speak incorrectly.

 

Comes from 6 years working with magazines and being corrected all the time LOL