What I’m reading: Justine by Lawrence Durrell
What’s on the iPod: Swim Until You Can’t See Land by Frightened Rabbit
Was Santa good to you? We had a great weekend filled with cooking, collaboration, stories, and laughter. Probably the most stress-free holiday yet. It didn’t start out that way with kids appearing (re-entry is toughest on me, I think), and there were some tense moments, but they all cleared up and the day was just divine.
Went to the Episcopal service at Valley Forge Chapel on Christmas Eve, which was beautiful. A lovely choir and a pastor who gave a heartfelt sermon that welcomed everyone at once. Then home to wait for Santa.
I was tooling around the writing forums and came upon a discussion about what writers should/should not call themselves. One writer thinks using the “freelance” title implies someone waiting around for work, while others think it’s the perfect title to describe their careers.
I can see both sides of this discussion. How we perceive ourselves is as important as how we conduct business. If clients are seeing the word “freelance” and equating it with someone twiddling their thumbs or dying to walk through fire for a measly paycheck, then maybe there’s something to the argument that it doesn’t belong in our titles. Besides, if it helps someone starting out to call themselves business owners in order to get themselves in that mindset, I say drop the freelance title.
For someone like me who has been at it forever, the word doesn’t do anything for or against me. I don’t use it, but it’s because I prefer to have just “Writer and Editor” on my business card. I’ve not really been a big fan of hanging the word “free” anywhere near my professional name anyway.
Here are some ways I’ve described myself:
– Writer
– Writer and Editor
– Business owner
– Entrepreneur
– Principal
– Subject matter expert
In each case, the word “freelance” never appears. Why? Because this is my business, my profession. To me, it just never occurred to include a qualifier. It’s also why I’ll never call myself a SAHM (stay-at-home mom) or even a SAHW (stay-at-home writer). Frankly, that never belongs in any writer’s description of the career. It has nothing to do with writing. It’s a state of being, not a description of your talents.
So what do you call yourself? How has that evolved over your career?
18 responses to “What to Call Yourself”
Small business entrepreneur specializing in writing and editing.
The holiday was great except for the inch of water in the basement when the washer threw up.
Sorry to read that on your blog, Devon. Amen that it's fixable, though the mess is upsetting.
I've always liked the word freelancer so I use it often. However, I do agree that many people have different idea of what a freelancer actual is. So I use it with those who understand. When I say "freelancer" to my mother, she thinks that means I'm on welfare. When I'm pitching a small business owner who only knows they want someone to fix the words on their website, freelance writer means that I probably write magazine articles. So I don't use them. However, when I'm talking to a client who uses freelance copywriters all the time, I use it because that means something to him.
I'm a writer, so of course I believe that wording matters. But I think that the way I conduct my business has always made it clear that I am a business owner. If I called myself a business owner and then spent all my time on Facebook, reading The Oatmeal and waiting for work to find me, I still wouldn't be taken seriously by anyone important.
I've always used Freelance Writer. I started out using it to set myself apart from the "Work-at-home Writers". I was looking for anything that said that my priorities were in my job when I was on the job.
Since I got away from them, I've never really thought about it.
Princess, have you been looking over my shoulder (Facebook)? 🙂
Totally agree. What you call yourself matters, but how you apply yourself matters more.
There's much truth in what you say about using "freelance" with different folks. I've had clients who would have taken total advantage if I'd said "freelance writer" instead of "writer." They were the ones who probably weren't going to imagine me waiting in the shadows for them to drop crumbs my way.
Wendy, I think I'd prefer that, too. Calling yourself a "work-at-home" or "stay-at-home" anything instantly devalues you. You're a writer. You work at home. Would anyone else say "commute-to-an-office copywriter"? It adds nothing, but it can sure deduct credibility.
Hi Lori.
Had a lovely holiday and am damn glad it's over!
I call myself a "professional writer" because I do think some people view freelancers as those who sit in their jammies noodling over a word here and there in between Jerry Springer and Oprah.
In a subject line of a response to a job ad or an initial email contact, I sometimes say "award-winning professional writer."
My point is that I'm serious about this stuff and not just someone who dabbles. Don't know if it makes a difference, but I believe it does.
And I totally agree on the "work-at-home" or "stay-at-home" stuff. Especially "working mom." It makes me think less of writers who mention it and potential clients who add it to ads (to cushion the payment blow, I believe).
Sheesh, branding. Called myself many things over the years. Right now my business card says "writer, playwright, web designer, photographer". Sometimes I use freelance, sometimes not (I still have cards that say "samuwriter" with a Lego Japanese warrior emblazoned.) For my jazz series I've used "producer", "curator" and "jazz-wallah".
The hardest part is getting to the point where you call yourself "writer", everything else is just amusement or insecurity ("what if they don't know I'm a professional, or serious?" Honey, they'll know.) Writer is as good as it gets.
LOL Joseph, I can see you as a samuwriter. 🙂 And you've phrased it perfectly – that IS the hardest part.
Gabriella, I think that's why I shun qualifiers. The ads that state things like "perfect for stay-at-home moms" drive me nuts. It's become a euphamism for "We ain't payin' you squat."
Dear me, it's rather daunting reading all this. I'm only starting out and finding a title for my job is one thing I'm still working on. In any case, thanks for the advice Lori and also for all the other helpful comments, I think I might just have found the answer here!
Hi Lori, good Christmas here as well.
I'm a writer, freelance writer and/or ghostwriter. No idea how I choose which… just another thing to get mindful about.
I don't buy the argument that using free in freelance means people think I write for free… and if they do I quickly tell them they are wrong, nicely. 😉
My business card just says "writer". When I pitch, I get into more detail, depending on to whom I'm talking.
My business card just says "writer". When I pitch, I get into more detail, depending on to whom I'm talking.
I usually introduce myself as a "copywriter" or "business writer." If the conversation goes further, I dive into other things I do, such as web content and a little HTML/CSS coding.
My business card says Founder of Prolific Studios and then lists some of the writing I specialize in, so usually just saying "writer" while handing them my card will take care of it. Freelancer – I too stay away from. I just feel it puts out a negative connotation, just like you guys said. Brings visions of bunny slipper work ethic, which I do not want to convey in my business.
Just to remind everyone (thanks to Wikipedia): The term was first used by Sir Walter Scott in Ivanhoe to describe a "medieval mercenary warrior" or "free-lance".
Warriors are we!
Love it, Joseph! Arrrrrgh! Oh wait. That's a pirate. 🙂 But hey, the pen IS mightier than the sword anyway, right? 🙂
Sal, somehow I don't see you in bunny slippers, but I agree. It's the image a lot of people get when they hear the word "freelance." I used to envision writers sitting at a coffee shop spouting poetry and talking about "the craft." Man, was I delusional! LOL
Devon, I agree. To describe ourselves in great detail on the card is just too difficult. We are masters of many trades. I like to consider myself a five-minute scholar on many topics.
Anne, I would love to agree that clients know better, but I've had run-ins with those who think "freelance" means "waiting for someone to bless us with work, paying or not." But yes, I think many of us are able to vocalize the distinction. 🙂
Hi Caroline! Welcome. 🙂 May I make a suggestion? Call your business nothing until you're sure about it. I chose to use my own name and "Writing & Editing" after. The thought was I would change it when I thought of something catchier. But I kept it because it describes what I do succinctly enough. I wouldn't go too fancy at first. Just let it come naturally.
Thanks! Indeed, that does seem like an excellent suggestion. I think I'll stick to the "straight and simple". Might also come over as more professional than a long list of specific job titles that cramp the space on business cards…
I love to call myself a copywriter and watch people's confused expressions as they try to figure out what a "copyrighter" does.
LOL! I remember having that same confusion once, Amie. Funny how things change when you ask questions. 🙂