What's your reply when someone asks you "Where do you work"?

Just tell them you design websites. Most people understand that, so they won't ask too much more. Don't make the mistake of over-complicating their explanation like a lot of IMers do.

For example, a polymers and coatings graduate doesn't go into detail about the intricacies of their work, because that would just be confusing. Instead, they take it to a level that most folks understand: I make glue.

Likewise, you should do the same thing. Just keep your explanation short, uncomplicated, understandable. (Marketing 101: speak to your target market's level.)

Becky

I have my own name as a domain and I call my domain a company. So for example on Facebook I am... Owner at JoshMacDonald.net

I say either Media Publisher, Online Marketer, or Writer if I want to sound more sophisticated

Perhaps instead of web design you should say web development. I agree with the others who have mentioned it so far, get some business cards to hand out.

If I am in your position, I would tell, "I build authority sites and authority sites ranks well in search engines. My clients are really happy with the results of my works and they even refer me to their friends. Their friends love it too. Just visit my blog and get my free gifts at rossgifts.com (as an example, use your own name plus the word gifts). I have to go. See you later. "

I would let them know your work is classified and releasing the information would be a breach of national security, but basically you design, develop and work in a field that everyone and his brother now lays claim too

I used to try to explain things in detail, but all too often got to that point where I saw their eyes glaze over and they still didn't understand.

Most people seem to want a short simple answer that they can categorize without effort.

Now I mostly say.. "I'm a digital teacher". The people that really want to know more will always ask a followup question when I say that. The rest just say, "Oh, cool!", and move on.

I just say I am a freelance writer and proofreader.
I did get business cards done through vista print and am so glad I did because one card alone netted me more than $1k in one job out of the blue.
Business cards are very handy to give people for reminders for when they need you or know someone else who does.
I get referrals through business cards too.

I say, "I have a home business. I show business owners how to market their products on the internet."

The area that I am from, the internet is the furthest thing from anyone's mind as far as making money. Where I live you are either a Dr. or a coal miner, and since a lot of guys can't afford to go to school, they end up being coal miners.

I got asked this once before and told them that I work online and got a funny look. "You kant make eenie money on thet thar compooter"

Now I just tell everyone I am a coal miner. lol!

This is an interesting question and it seems I always have a slight variation in my answer. I have an offline marketing business so most of the time it's easiest to explain that to them. But it still amazes me how so many people just have no idea how to use the internet for anything other than Facebook or YouTube. If they only knew...

I agree that the "I build websites" can be confusing. I've given that reply and then I'm asked about a business card and "I have a friend who needs a website etc." If I were into working for clients that would be one thing, but I'm not (at least for now).

I just say I'm an online publisher or if I feel like getting a little more technical, I say I help companies get more business on the internet (explanation for affiliate marketer). Or I say I publish an online newsletter (for my list building explanation).

Most of these responses work and if they have more questions, I fill them in, but they usually get bored fairly quickly which really surprises me because if I weren't a full time IMr and I had someone tell me they earned a living on the internet, I'd be interested (hence, here I am).

Just4kix,


Personally, most friends and family know what I do already. When I meet new people and they ask what I do, I tell them I am a website designer. Honestly, I try to keep it as simple as possible. The majority of people will not understand unless you keep it very simple for them. The way that most of society is conditioned they will never get into what us online marketers do.

Also, keep it even simpler for older folks. I found that the older the person is, the much less likely they are to understand. When elderly relatives ask me what I do, i just make something up like I am a manager at some big company because it saves me about five minutes of trying to explain myself.

Oliver

To other professionals or potential clients? I say that I'm a writer and that I work from a home office or out and about occasionally in Panera or the Campus Library.

To my friends? I tell them I'm a writer and that I usually work from the toilet /

I've found that people will take you as seriously as you take yourself. So if you're unsure about what you do then you can't hope for others to respect it.

So say that you're a marketer, a writer, a web designer or a freelance marketing consultant. No matter what you say, say it with confidence.

..."at home in my underwear" :-)

Michael Corvin

I tell them I work from wherever I happen to be sitting that has wifi. Pretty soon, that'll be from underneath an umbrella at the beach.

-- j

I tell them I work off my laptop as I hang out at Starbucks monitoring my sites and my remote employees. I get paid to explore ideas and see my passions come to life. I also own my own time. Owning your own business is not easy. But if you have the right values and mind set for it, there's nothing else like it.

Here's WHY it is NOT RIGHT for MOST PEOPLE: http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...-starting.html

Simply tell them the services you have. If it's on your website, mention your website's URL, too.

Tell them that you are a freelancer in online marketing or you are a website designer. Either way people will still get confuse and will ask a lot of question. Just be confident in giving your answers so that they know that you are really serious about what you do.

Instead of explaining your job descriptions to them try telling them the good things it brings out to your customers. Market yourself through those bundles of question instead of explaining yourself.

I used to try and explain.. now I just say I'm the guy who puts things on the front page of google and youtube and stop there haha. Everyone wants to know how, but it just goes right over their head.

Sometimes I literally just say 'I'm an internet man' and I get no questions, they actually act as if they understand! hahaa

I simply say, "I make money online from home". Everyone goes berserk and I'm bombarded with questions soon after.

I tell them I am an internet entrepreneur. I own around 72 websites and I buy and sell websites like how a serial entrepreneur does .. because that's what I do. Just tell them you are an internet entrepreneur with lots of online ventures.

I Tell them, "I'm an Internet Marketeer with profound interests in subsequent fields of Website Designing and the Management of Domains Along with their Hosting on the servers, and a few add-ons like ghost writing, press releases and Domain buying and selling"
And I Work at my home office with expansion plans in my mind to soon shift in the silicon valley.
Phew
They don't ask ever again..LOL

Today I tell people that I'm a YouTuber, but back when I did 100% internet marketing I would just tell people that simple term; "I'm an internet marketer"

To my surprise I usually just get an 'okay' or an 'oh cool' and that's about it. Some people are very interested though. Luckily I love explaining it

When some one asks me where I work I tell them I own a business, when they ask me what the business is I tell them I run a business of marketing online.

It's so simple just tell them what you are, a web designer, writer, internet marketer, seo expert, graphic designer e.t.c.

Photographer & video producer. Ha, I don't really tell people about my IM activities.

i say i work at dont-ask.dont-get-kill.

If your interested in getting new prospects from your offline interactions .. its a good idea to maybe start a company/brand for your service for building authority sites. Then put ur brand on business cards and give it to whoever asks what you do - for example your biz cards could say something like - Yourname, Company XYZ ltd, Authority Site Developer - with contact details, website address etc. That should have people taking you seriously and could get you offline clients too.

If however you are not interested in getting offline clients and your business is complete in the online virtual world - then well, it does not matter what you tell them.

I simply tell people I am freelancing for a web development company. So it portrays two things to them:

i) that I am doing some work (from home), and
ii) also that I am NOT open to receiving any more work as I am already working for a company.. Otherwise some people might be like, "Oh my friend wanted a site developed etc. Maybe you could help them"

it just keeps things simple ... rather than me having to explain every little aspect of Internet marketing to everyone and then have people say awkward things like - get a real job or somthing.

Guess its the price some people have to pay for being over smart :p

Just tell them you are a web developer, or you create websites.
I think many people still don't understand what Internet Marketing is so better keep it our of the topic...

The best thing to do is to be honest and open as you can.

Try to explain things in as simplistic way as you can or you may have them look at you with that confused look all over their face.

I know I have had this in the past because dealing with the general public I'd say that 99% of them have never heard of I.M. or list building etc etc.

You do get more comfortable with talking about what you do once you become confident and start seeing your online buisness develop into something that is worth shouting about. Time is all it takes and I wouldn't worry too much anyway as you are in safe hands here at the W.F. where you can be yourself and learn great things at the same time.

Have a great day Just4Kix!!!

See you soon!

I just say with a wide grin At Home Online.

Tell them you are a "Web Designer" and Work on International projects..

I would tell someone who ask me that I build authority sites and authority sites ranks in search engine.
In short I am A SEO Executive.

Well there ya go. It still conjures images of fame. Now they're all watching and listening to everything they can going "is it her? Did she use a pen name? We must find Terra!"

I have a single word answer "Internet." Some of them take it seriously and rest of them think I am wasting my time. But I know what I am. haha