Individual VS Company

Who enjoys more credibility

[contentmaster]

Being a freelance Content Writer, I was wondering who enjoys more credibility in the US(overseas) - an individal or a Company / organisation.

Does it matter if you represent an organisation VS if you are an individual and good at what you do?

[robotsdobetter]

I think it depends on what it is. Like web hosting, I would never go with a individual because they would likely not offer the best service.

[elguapo]

If individual, many package themselves as "guru" to gain more credibility

[Content Writer]

Really? I prefer "Czar"

[Content Writer]

It's good to have relationships with clients that are individualized. The client knows you and you know him or her on a personal basis. This translates to trust and credibility.

In terms of quantity, there's only so much writing an individual can do. If an freelancer is able to leverage quality human resources and manage bigger projects as they come up, then clients get the best of both worlds: personal trust and corporate efficiency.

[stapel]

It should be noted that, on the web, many of us look the same. Surfers can't always tell, just by looking, whether a site fronts for an individual or a team. I've lost track of the number of times I've been adressed as "the team at [site name]" or "the staff" or "all you guys at [site]". My site is biggish for its subject area, and apparently nicely-enough done that people just assume that it's being presented by some big company, rather than just by little ol' me.

So "credibility" may in part come from the quality of the presentation that you make.

Eliz.

[Alioc]

I think that "for the web" it's better to look big as much as you can because you have the advantage to be able to do that there. :)

[redstorm]

it looks to me like a philosophy problem; sometimes it' hard to judge the intention of the client. Considering quality and price are two major factors in the market economy, i think cost effective service may solve the problem you met.

[iamlost]

It is a matter of perception. Generally a company is thought to add credibility - which is absurd because a company is only as good as the person(s) in it. But the perception does exist.

Incorporation does bring some tangible benefits as well (varies by jurisdiction): lower tax rates, more allowable deductions, easier aquisition of and/or lower priced business insurance, commercial rates on services and supplies, easier access to and greater variety of credit and financial services, etc.

I am an individual and a company. I introduce myself as "my-name with my-company-name". I do not hide that I am a one-man-band but neither do I admit it without being asked.

Some people/organisations are just as silly about small companies as they are about individuals. That is their problem. Fortunately most clients understand (or can be brought to undersatand) the flexibility, quality, personal attention, and time/cost savings a small operation can provide.

If, when, and what type of incorporation is a matter for you, your accountant, and your lawyer to discuss.

[ramnyc]

If you are asking what US based people are seeking for content writers (an individual vs a company) I would venture to say that neither is better than the other. What people will want to see is samples of the writing, rates and an understanding of how much writing by the person or company can be expected.

It does not matter to me one way or the other since writing is usually done by one person.

[contentmaster]

Ramnyc - A point well made......yes i think that makes sense.at the end of the day it is the quality of the work that really matters.......
any other thoughts?