freelancers - do market yourself as an individual or as a company? and do you have a website?

[hatwoman]

I'm talking about people who do quite individual work - research, policy work, editing perhaps, writing. Do you rely on networking and personal contacts? do you use a cv? or have you branded yourself as a company? and do you have a website - in which case is it quite a personal one or a more company-oriented one? is it in the first person singular or plural? or the third person?

do you think any of this matters? does your approach reflect on you in a way that effects your work?

it was another thread that got me thinking about all this.

Hi there.
I keep my CV up to date and use it when 'prospecting' or 'cold ' applying for advertised work. I am having a website made too, but I am quite anal about design and what I do I want it to be 'just so'. Actually I am rubbish at 'selling' myself but am trying to get better at this networking lark. Have only just gotten business cards. I am English, but not in the UK, here, EVERYBODY you meet in a professional capacity swaps cards upon meeting.
I think your approach does reflect yes, I think none of it means anything if the work doesn't speak for itself though.

Q. Do you rely on networking and personal contacts?

Yes.

Q. Do you use a CV?

Yes when people want to see one (which they sometimes do, as they're essentially buying me - it's branded with my logo etc)

Q. Have you branded yourself as a company?

Yes in the sense of having a 'brand' and looking professional.

Q. Do you have a website?

Yes.

Q. In which case is it quite a personal one or a more company-oriented one?

Bit of both - makes it clear I'm just me (although in practice I sometimes use subcontractors to help with delivery, with clients agreement).

Q. Is it in the first person singular or plural? or the third person?

First person - no sense in suggesting I've got more capacity than I actually have.

Q. Do you think any of this matters? does your approach reflect on you in a way that affects your work?

All these things - networking, CV, website are to do with making sales. All my sales come through word of mouth (and so do most people's in the category of freelancers you're talking about) - however I know prospective customers look me up on the internet, which is why I also have a website.