Photo by L. Marie

I found an interesting article on the Putting Things Off blog calling for freelancers to stop using executive titles for themselves. The author, Nick Cernis, argues that a freelancer shouldn’t call himself a Creative Director when he is self-employed and has no one to direct. Cernis suggests that people will laugh at you when they learn that you are a one-person start-up.

This article sparked a lively discussion, and I found myself agreeing with both sides of the argument. Here is my opinion: Own who you are.

Freelancer vs. Small Business Owner

The main difference between a freelancer and a self-employed business owner is the business plan. Freelancers choose to focus on what they do best, while business owners looking to grow will have to spend time managing staff.

• If you are a freelancer and never want to work for another company again, own it and give yourself a title that clearly communicates the freedom you’ve chosen for yourself.

• But, if you are a self-employed small business owner planning to grow your firm, then dream big and give yourself a lofty title that you can work your way into.

The Benefits of a High-Powered Job Title

Let’s completely flip over the argument that people will laugh at your title, and look at the practical benefit of using a high-powered job title: It creates the perception that your company is bigger than it is.

With a hot website and slick business cards, people will have no idea how big or small your company is.

One of my earliest (and favorite) clients is First Endurance. The company started over 5 years ago with two guys working on it in their spare time. Now their product is carried in hundreds of retail stores, they receive a ton of direct sales on their website, and last year they even sponsored the Tour de France champions, the Discover Channel Cycling Team. Imagine the thrill of success they must have experienced while flying over Paris in a helicopter with their favorite pro cycling team at the world’s most prestigious cycling race.

First Endurance still has only two employees. Their current job titles are the same as it was 5 years ago: “VP of Marketing” and “VP of Science & Technology”.

People that deal with First Endurance are blown away when they discover that it’s a company of two. Cultivating the perception of being a big company can do wonders for your company’s growth.

It’s All in the Attitude

If you want to be more than a one man shop then, then acting as if you are already there will make it much easier to get there than by behaving humble and acting as if it’s out of reach.

One of my favorite bloggers, Tina Su of Think Simple Now, wrote an excellent article on how she achieved explosive growth for her blog through the following formula: Desire mixed with faith backed by massive action.

If you want to be successful business owner, you already have the desire. If you’ve made the leap and are self-employed, then you have the faith. So go ahead and express that faith by claiming the job title you deserve.