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DaveChristi · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 1:22 pm Post subject: First-Person or Third-Person

I have run into a bit of a mess in my marketing materials, website, Voices.com profile, etc.

I seem to have some items where I've written about myself in third-person, and others where I have written in first-person.

Bother! I'm in the process of re-writing everything.

Here comes the big question:

Should you use 1st-person writing or 3rd-person when marketing yourself. Or does it matter (just pick ONE and stick to it).

Let the debate begin! Devil

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Frank F · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 1:30 pm Post subject:

What message you convey is predicated upon how you are positioned in the mind of those reading your message.

Are you sending a message as a friend, as a Public Relations piece, as a corporate or business marketing piece, what?

In today's economic world, the concept of Personal Touch Marketing is the easiest way to get people to read what you have to say. However, how do you send the personal message to someone you have never spoken to prior? You might consider using TWO versions of your marketing pieces. One for new customers and referrals and one for current or previous clients.

But hey, I am just a dumb former D.J.; what do I know?

Toodles

F2
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todd ellis · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:38 pm Post subject:

i'm not sure it matters as long as you're consistent from one medium to another.
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flaspots · Contributore Level V Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Posts: 191

I say "I" when marketing myself, and "we" when marketing the agency.

Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 5:37 pm Post subject:

Bo knows

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Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

DC:

I like first person. Show your personality, modesty, humor, and self deprecating wit.

Make your descriptions and accomplishments professional, but fun or interesting.
Most agency types you'll be marketing to are fun and creative people.

If you're doing medical scripts or autopsy reports, ignore the above.

Bill
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Deirdre · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 7:16 pm Post subject:

I try to be as abstract as I can, alluding to myself, but trying not to give the reader "I" strain.

Connie Terwilliger's website landing page has a very nice 3rd-person description.

Philip Banks' website has the most hilarious simultaneously self-effacing and self-aggrandizing 1st person description on the intarwebz.
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Lee Gordon · Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 1:50 am Post subject:

Lee believes you should go with first person.
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Mike Cooper · Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 5:51 am Post subject:

Mike thinks you should pick what sounds best in the context.

For example, if you're submitting to a website where the other participants are using company names, it may sound best to talk about yourself in the third person.

Conversely, where you're making a direct approach and want to be identified as an individual, you could choose to talk about "I" and "me".

Pick one and stick with it for each instance though. Otherwise folks may think you're schizophrenic.
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Bruce · Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 8:03 am Post subject:

Writing in the third person can give the reader the impression (however fleeting) that you're successful enough to have hired a third person to write about you. If the look of your material supports that, then I might run with it. Otherwise, I'd stick with the first.

Aw, look people...the second person is over there crying in the corner because we haven't said a thing about them. Hey second person...hey....yes, you! You know, you're just so...so...so...You! Feeling better?

B
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DaveChristi · Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 8:52 am Post subject:

So here's what I've decided. I've really liked Bill's idea of being a bit witty and self deprecating... but not TOO much.

On websites like V123 or Voices or my VOX profile, I'm going to use a 3rd person approach, as if those sites were writing about me.

On MY collateral (website, postcards, etc.) I'm going to use 1st person.

Yes Deebs, not too much "I" strain.

And Bruce, will you break it to 2nd person that I won't be using him for this? I like him personally, but he's just not what I'm looking for at this time. Thanks, you seem to have the best rapport with him. Get Lost

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ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 9:25 pm Post subject:

One of my web pages on my corporatevideo.com site has some first person stuff. And I love Philip's funny 1st person approach. I actually think I might have too many words on my Home Page - but it hasn't been changed in years. Time to try to carve out some time to look at this stuff again and see if it still flys!
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