Question

Topic: Advertising/PR

Unorthodox Titles - Pros And Cons?

Posted by Anonymous on 3/4/2008 at 1:46 PM ET 125 Points
I'm starting a small event planning company and was about to order some business cards when I realized I didn't have a good title for myself. I realize you don't NEED a title all the time, but since my card is going to get passed around from friend to friend or associate to associate, I want something on there to show that I'm at the head of the company. But "CEO" or "president" seems a little pretentious when i'm a one woman operation. "Founder" and "Owner" seem a little too small and "mom & pop" for me, since my clients are mainly other businesses and marketing firms and I want to appear to be a professional company. So where does that leave me?

Someone suggested making up a title...something cute like Disney has Imagineers....I could be Chief Eventor or Lead Eventress...Head Eventologist...or something like that. But is that too corny? Would it detract from the professional appearance i'm trying to project?

If anyone has other suggestions for a title...please let me know. Thanks.
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by adammjw on 3/4/2008 at 1:59 PM Accepted
    Steve is right. It's a typical ego thing.If your card says what your business is you do not need a title to make yourself seem serious.That what you do and how you do it is what really counts.
    Having said that I must say I like Chief Eventor.

    Adam
  • Posted on 3/4/2008 at 2:16 PM Author
    Well my only concern with not including a title is that as is said, my cards get passed around a lot by other people. I give a few to friends and they give them to their friends and so on. I'm not always the person giving out my cards. So if someone 6 degrees of separation from me gets my card...they won't necessarily know I own the company. Plus..you all know that old game Telephone..where one message gets passed along and by the end it's something completely different. I'm afraid i might go from Owner to just someone who works there in that process.
    Am i over thinking this?

  • Posted by adammjw on 3/4/2008 at 2:22 PM Member
    Yes, I think you make things more complicated than necessary.
    Even if it happens as you think it might what does it change? Does it mean that if somebody needs what you are offering they will not contact you as you might not be the owner? Come on.
    Once again if the card says what you do that's ok.
  • Posted on 3/4/2008 at 2:26 PM Author
    well as of right now my card is pretty minimalistic. It has my company Name (EdgEvents) and tagline (You put it on. We pull it off.) on one side and then my name and contact info on the other side. It doesn't really go into any depth as to what we do overtly.
  • Posted by AdsValueBob on 3/4/2008 at 2:37 PM Accepted
    I understand your concern and feel a title is a way to generally to help you gauge if were dealing with a potential decision-maker or a "hunter-gatherer / gate keeper". A title also helps provide a preconceived mindset on how you might tailor your expectations, and your discussion / presentation to that person.

    I agree with the others - titles have become less important in most business. My card doesn't have a title either. It's you that has to represent your company, build that relationship, and provide the solution for the prospect's needs.

    If you still feel a title is needed, then consider another shaky approach - that you have different cards. Since the title is being used to "market" yourself, then have a VP of Sales / Marketing for networking event, and maybe a President card for small business contacts. Occasionally you run into an organization that a person wears dual hats (such as CIO and CFO). If anyone asks - which they probably won't, just impress upon them that you're the decision-maker, or you wear many hats. If you offer what they want, they will buy and your title won't matter. If you don't have what they need, your title won't make the sale.

    Hope this helps,

    Bob
  • Posted on 3/4/2008 at 5:41 PM Accepted
    I vote with the one-side no title group. (But also like Chief Eventor.) I know a guy who has D.I.R.M. on his card - Does it Really Matter.

    Good luck!

    CVN
  • Posted by kathie on 3/4/2008 at 7:22 PM Accepted
    I guess I come from a different place than most respondents here. I'm an independent consultant and network with many consultants--most are the founders, principals, presidents, CEOs, owners, chiefs or whatever title they select for themselves. I can't recall when I last saw a business card without a title. Maybe location has something to do with it? My business location is the San Francisco Bay area and the San Jose Silicon Valley.

    I have seen "Chief" used on several cards and like it. I think it shows spunk and uniqueness because I don't see it a lot. Some titles I've seen: Founder and Chief Wordsmith; President and Chief Designer; Owner and Chief Planner. Other times it only shows Chief xxx.

    I believe that Chief Eventor will generate interest and conversation which is what you want. It may help to distinguish you and evoke remembrance. Go for it!

    Other, different titles include Guru or Expert such as Event Guru or Expert Event Designer, as more food for thought.

    If you use no title, or something slightly different, be extra diligent to have your "story" in your back pocket, ready for the "What do you do"? This is an elevator speech that flows more like a story line to help people 'get' what you do. Base this on who is your best client, what is their problem and what is your solution. For example: "Everyone likes great parties. I work with small businesses and marketing folks who are struggling to create the most memorable events for their special occasions." If appropriate, continue to expand on this by giving one or more examples of the positive outcomes of successful events. Specific outcomes related to your own clients' events are best. Google 'elevator speech' to get some great ideas.
  • Posted by michael on 3/5/2008 at 12:30 AM Accepted
    Use Principal. This gives you consistency if you bring on a parter.

    "Fixer of all things bad" is also good...especially in the event business

    Michael
  • Posted on 3/5/2008 at 12:48 PM Author
    Hi Kathie,
    Well interestingly enough, I too work in the SF Bay area and live in San Francisco and like you I almost always see titles on business cards, which is why i was trying to think of one. Though it seems the vast majority disagrees that one is needed.

    I like Chief Eventor though I also like Event Guru now that you've mentioned it. I just don't want to sound too unprofessional.
  • Posted by Bullseye Chic on 3/6/2008 at 6:19 PM Accepted
    Kim,

    Go with the unusual title!!!!! My company is Bullseye Marketing. My business card says Chief Wrangler.

    EVERY TIME I introduce myself that way, I get chuckles and attention. Every time someone sees it on my business card they pause and open a conversation with me.

    Isn't that the point of your mini advertisement? Don't you want people to talk to you? Of course you do.

    Everyone can be the same but these days being a little different and standing out can help you rise above the competition. Just ask Maxine Clark, Chief Executive Bear of Build A Bear!

    And, guess where I do business? In the San Francisco Bay Area!!

    I say go for it. Love love love Chief Eventologist!!!
    Or, Master Juggler or Head Cheerleader.

    Have fun!
  • Posted by babbsela on 3/6/2008 at 7:51 PM Accepted
    Is it that important for people to know that you're the owner? Will people refuse to do business with you if they don't know you're the person in charge.

    I doubt it, in both instances. I don't have a title on my card, but I do have a short (4 word) description of what I do.

    If you do absolutely need a title, I agree that it should be something more fun than President. One I saw recently was CCBW (for: chief cook & bottle washer).
  • Posted on 3/7/2008 at 11:10 AM Author
    Well my other though is..something like Chief Eventor or Certified Eventologist (which i like too) both start with CE....i could add something starting with an O (owner, organizer, officer, oracle, originator etc), at the end and then at least the acronym spells CEO. Another little play on words.

    Something like:

    Chief Eventology Officer
    Chief Event Orchestrator
    Certified Event Originator

    Is that too much? Should i keep it simple with Chief Eventor?
  • Posted on 3/7/2008 at 2:07 PM Accepted
    Solutions Provider
    CEO & Lead Cat Herder
    Head Dazzler
    Experience Delivery Chief
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