Reply to: job titles on your business cards?

[Zakalwe]

"IT Consultant" here (without the quotation marks).

I think this covers a multitude of sins

[Archangel]

Probably too busy trying not to look like a disguised employee.....

No need, investigated, found outside, end of.

[Archangel]

Laugh all you like, you're the one missing a business opportunity.

Not had a day out of contract since september 1988 actually. The clients I've serviced in the past usually have my phone number anyway. If I'm looking for a gig I can always give them a call.

[Jog On]

You liberally spread them around where you do your gigs and then when they have something in the future they pick up your card and think "Mr A. Archangel, Assembler Programmer... He did a good job. I wonder if he's available to something esle for us now?". Then they get in contact, ask if you are free and you get yourself a gig sorted sans agent.

Laugh all you like, you're the one missing a business opportunity.

Probably too busy trying not to look like a disguised employee.....

[Ardesco]

Really?

So if I get some business cards made up which say:

"Archangel Systems ltd"

"Mr A. Archangel, Assembler Programmer"

and give them out at the pub/PCG RLMs/any geeky gatherings I'll be inundated with contract offers?

You liberally spread them around where you do your gigs and then when they have something in the future they pick up your card and think "Mr A. Archangel, Assembler Programmer... He did a good job. I wonder if he's available to something esle for us now?". Then they get in contact, ask if you are free and you get yourself a gig sorted sans agent.

Laugh all you like, you're the one missing a business opportunity.

[Jog On]

Does your company have a website or anything like that or do you just have a CV?

[Archangel]

Helps you get those magic things called "contracts" without needing to deal with an agent.

Really?

So if I get some business cards made up which say:

"Archangel Systems ltd"

"Mr A. Archangel, Assembler Programmer"

and give them out at the pub/PCG RLMs/any geeky gatherings I'll be inundated with contract offers?

[Ardesco]

Why would you want to waste money on business cards?

Helps you get those magic things called "contracts" without needing to deal with an agent.

[Jog On]

Why would you want to waste money on business cards?

My Ltd does more than just me contracting. I do a lot of (business) networking.

[Archangel]

Hi all,

What's your opinion on what job title to put on a business card as a contractor (I'm a system developer). I've got my own limited Company which means I'm also the managing director of the company. Is it appropriate to put Managing Director / System consultant as a job title? Maybe putting both titles on a business card look rather confusing and may even scare people off. Maybe I should get two sets of cards, one as a Managing Director and another one as a System developer.

Thanks
Swedstar

Why would you want to waste money on business cards?

[Jog On]

Director

[Denny]

The problem with using the term 'consultant' is that you need to actually deliver consultancy services - go it, ascertain a problem, advise on the scope of the issues or work needed doing and write a report for senior management and exit from the company without actually doing the work needed. If you are doing the executing like an interim employed manager/engaged contractor would (actually doing the work that needs to be done to make it happen requiring you to be on site or working from your office - developing the system or programming etc.) then you are not strictly speaking a consultant.

Consultants earn big bucks, interim mgr/engaged contractors to do the hands on work, much less.

You need to be sure exactly what you are offering and where your expertise lies, otherwise your potential clients will not have a clue what your company is really about or what they should be prepared to pay. Being vague using a catch all 'title' is not the way to go.

[daviejones]

Banjo player. It earns more respect.

Yeah, but in a Deliverance kind of way!!

[Xenophon]

Consultant

[Ardesco]

I put Managing Director on mine, will always be true while my company is trading.