There’s an interesting discussion going on at the Business of Software forum about using ‘me’ or ‘we’ in websites. I’d like to chip in, for what it’s worth. 
WP Text Ads is a 1-man shop, and I do not pretend that it isn’t.
Back when I had to think of all the text on the website, I was struggling with a couple of questions.
- Should I let people know I’m a solo act?
- Is WP Text Ads more credible if people have the impression that there’s a team behind it?
- Are people more willing to buy from A Big Company™ than a small guy?
- How do I respond to people who say they’re not willing to pay for a product because I might ‘disappear’ one day?
Anyway, you get the idea. In the end, I went for ‘me’ instead of ‘we’.
Do you know why? Because it’s the honest answer and there’s no escaping that fundamental fact. And as I thought deeper, it made even more sense. Here’s why:
- I have to try harder since everyone knows I am fully accountable.
- I have to try harder since I don’t have partners to fall back on.
- People do not download or buy a product because it’s made by some big shot or company. They do it because the product meets their needs.
- WP Text Ads’ credibility depends on how responsive I am to users. Do I become less credible if I am more responsive than a large team?
- People like to talk to real people, and I don’t want to hide behind a corporate facade.
- WP Text Ads isn’t a mission critical application that needs a ton of support. There’s little to configure!
So don’t be afraid to use ‘me’. As E. E. Cummings said, “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.”
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About the author
I'm Alex Choo and I live in sunny Singapore. I'm also the developer of WP Text Ads, a WordPress plugin that lets bloggers sell ads directly to advertisers so that they pay 0% in commissions and earn 100% in profits.
Feel free to drop me a note anytime you wish. You should also subscribe to the low volume email announcement list for WP Text Ads below.
Comments 2
Alex,
That’s excellent insight.
I work alone on a couple of online ventures and I struggle with the same question of whether to use ‘me’ or ‘we’, especially when writing emails to customers. I usually end up using the first person, but I too get nervous that new customers will be weary of a one-man operation.
You have some great points and I especially agree that being honest to customers as well as yourself is important, and I think it will have a positive impact in the long run.
Best of luck with WP Text Ads! It seems like a great product.
Posted 18 May 2007 at 1:34 am ¶Hi Eliot,
Thank you for your kind words.
One thing that led me to use ‘me’ was when I noticed I preferred to deal with individuals than companies without a face. And it struck me, “Why then am I so afraid of telling people that WP Text Ads is only me?”
Good luck to your endeavour too!
Posted 18 May 2007 at 8:27 am ¶Trackbacks & Pingbacks 1
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