??Are You Calling Yourself the Right Thing?
“So, what do you do?”
It’s a simple question. But back when I first started in business, I dreaded it.
I was at a networking event hosted by the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, hoping to land some clients. The room was buzzing, deals being made over canapés, and before long, someone turned to me and asked:
?? “So, what do you do?”
And I hesitated.
Caught off guard, I blurted out: “I make WordPress websites.”
Not wrong… but not exactly compelling.
And that’s when I realised: Your title sets the stage for how clients perceive you.
Why Your Title Matters as a Freelancer
Freelancers often struggle with what to call themselves. And it’s not just semantics—your title influences who hires you, how much they’re willing to pay, and what kind of work they expect.
Let’s break it down:
?? Freelancer → Sounds flexible and affordable… but also temporary.
?? Agency → Feels bigger and established… but may set expectations you don’t want (team, scalability, big project scope).
?? WordPress Developer → Signals technical skills… but some clients may think you only handle code.
?? Consultant → Implies strategy and expertise… but could sound vague or expensive.
The wrong title can confuse clients—or worse, make them undervalue your services.
?? How to Choose the Right Title for Your Business
If you’re struggling with how to introduce yourself, try these steps:
1?? Match Your Title to Your Ideal Clients
Different clients interpret titles in different ways:
? Non-technical business owners → They don’t care about the difference between "developer" and "designer." They just want their website to work.
? Agencies → They know what a "WordPress Developer" is but might hesitate at "Freelancer."
Think about who you want to attract—and pick a title that resonates with them.
2?? Think About Perception vs. Reality
Words have weight.
What message are you sending—intentionally or unintentionally?
3?? Consider Hybrid Titles (A Mix Might Work Best)
You don’t have to limit yourself to one label. Try combining titles for clarity and positioning:
?? WordPress Consultant & Educator (like me—because I focus on strategy + teaching)
?? WordPress Designer & Digital Strategist
?? Freelance Web Designer (clear + flexible)
?? Small Business Web Consultant (non-tech clients love this one!)
4?? Test It in Conversations and Sales Calls
The next time someone asks, "What do you do?", try different responses.
?? Over to You!
What’s your current title? Have you ever changed it?
Drop a comment below — I’d love to hear how you introduce yourself! ??
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DevOps Engineer at Deloitte Cloud Managed Services. Paraglider pilot. Walker of dogs.
1 周Great article Wil. With 20+ years of hindsight on from that networking event, what should you have described yourself as? And how would you answer now?
#WebDeveloper | #FullStackLAMPDeveloper #WordPressDeveloper | #WordPressTrainer | #WordCampSpeaker | #WPMeetupSpeaker | #LandscapePhotographer | #Sci-fiLover
1 周I've seen this post at a key time as I've recently been struggling this myself for my freelancing work. I agree that freelancing didnt seem like the right term as its not all-encompassing, but using terms like Owner, CEO, Founder, etc also seems too high-end & generic aswell. This gives me great food for thought! Thanks Wil.
??I help women start online businesses selling digital programs & services using the Knowledge, Skills, or Life Experience they ALREADY have! ???? 20+ yrs experience ??w/Coaches, Consultants, Course-Creators
1 周Great article
This was easy to read and understand... And insightful. I'm reluctant to call myself a freelancer because that comes with a low price expectation. I like considering myself a consultant because I am all in long term relationships and strategies.