What do you call yourself?
Are you an Internet strategist? SEOer? Do you do SEM? SMO? Do you make websites? Do you know Web 2.0? Are you a web designer? Web developer?
What exactly do you do?
I hear these questions all the time. It’s a challenge these days to describe the work I do, which is not because I’m unclear, rather it’s because the online arena is still rapidly unfolding and full of overlap. Everyday new areas are exposed and we scramble to define the accompanying services.
My career began as a print designer, which was easy for me to explain to people. Then I got into web design, which lead to learning XHTML, CSS, and some JavaScript and PHP. So, now I could call myself a web designer. Then I realized I was being judged on whether or not my work brought a return on the client’s investment, which lured me into traffic promotion. I added search engine optimization skills to my bag of tricks so my work was not just pretty, but also pulled in visitors. Soon afterwards I began experimenting with MySpace, Flickr, and other social sites, including the blogosphere. Now when I’m working with clients, I’m thinking about design, application development, and traffic generation. I’ve even found myself making recommendations to my clients about how to change their offering to be more inline with the demand represented in their site’s traffic stats.
With a hands on background in facets of web development I’ve been struggling with what to call myself. Usually I tell people that I am a web developer, but I often receive a blank stare in return. I’d say I’m an internet strategist, but that’s really just one way to apply my skill set. I’m not satisfied with any label just yet.
How do you multi-talented folks explain what you do?
Comments
So what is it about the “blank stare” that you get when you say that you are a web developer? That is the start of the conversation, if like me, they are interested in the web they will ask more about it. If not the rest of what you do will come up anyway in conversation. No fancy descriptive name will really get them interested.
My own job description is not fancy and I would say that few know exactly what I do. I myself can’t remember a single dental assistant- I had 4 or so procedures I know had an assistant… anyway when I say what I do people sometimes talk about teeth and things related to that. So my job description is enough if someone is interested in talking about that.
What say you Justin?
As a coder, I’ve had trouble with being considered a Web Designer. I’ve sort of always hated the term, because 1) I’m lacking in design skills and 2) From the get-go, it’s had kind of negative connotations.
So, I switched to Web Developer, but people still heard designer. Then I switched to Web Programmer, but guess what, people still hear designer.
It’s a tough nut to crack. And if I want to encourage the right sort of networking, I need to find a better way to say it. When people I’ve talked to start sending me design work, it’s rather annoying to continually turn it down.
i would consider myself two things.
1. a content developer web master.
2. an el donkey trainer.
but it would most likley be #1 based on the question.
Wow, I haven’t been here in a while, just been a tad busy I suppose.
I am still a Web Design student. But when I get out who knows what I’ll consider myself due to the multiple medium’s I’ve studied (Web, Film, and Audio). So I would consider myself a Media Designer.
For a while I was calling myself an Internet Ideas Guy for your Business even though it is simplistic and easy to describe I’m not real confident in that job description anymore. So right now I’ve got nothing but am not taking on new clients so it’s OK.