Ask HN: Job Titles for Sole Operators?

[esonica]

I am rebranding my business at the moment, and trying to decide what job title (if any) I should put on a business card.

I am a sole operator, I do web design,coding, hosting, but am trying to focus more on the music industry, working with bands to promote them through the web via websites, facebook, twitter etc. Ideas are welcome :)

Also, as sole operators, what titles do you use?

[jcrocholl]

I call myself "Founder" in the context of my current solo project, even if that project is not really a "startup" or "company".

As the legal term I use "Sole Proprietor": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sole_proprietorship

[anactofgod]

I don't put a title on any of the cards for my consulting or startup business(es). They tend to be over- or pre-loaded with meaning, frivolous, meaningless, and/or limiting, esp for a solo/small operation.

Try this: On the face: Name, pho no & email addr. On the back (opt): Company name & catchy, descriptive tagline. Use an interesting, legible font. Keep the color scheme simple.

A well crafted tag-line is much better than a title, and gives you a lot more freedom to market yourself, your services/products and your business.

I get a lot of complements on the simplicity of my cards, I save # on printing costs, and there is plenty of room for potential clients & customers to make their own notes about what they want to follow up with me on.

[apowell]

I've used "Consultant". It's not really what I am (my main business is advertising/subscriptions), but if I'm handing you my business card, then I'm probably a consultant to you.

Consider "Web Dev Consultant" if you want to be ever-so-slightly quirky while still being informative.

[soyelmango]

It depends who you're targeting - suits, techs, artists? If you choose quirky, make sure it's smart quirky, and not glib quirky. "Your web guy" sounds a bit... bland. It sounds too average, like "Mr Site". Come back and let us know what you choose! And let's see your business cards too :)

[faramarz]

How about 'Without Title' ?

Good conversation starter and unique.

[esonica]

Interesting idea, I did consider "Your Web Guy"

[yungchin]

Or 'CxO'.

[eliot_sykes]

I've pondered the same thing and ended up going with Founder. Sometimes I'll use Developer or "Developer Founder". Tried out Creator for a bit but I thought that sounded uppity.

[brk]

The Dude.