🎧 Listen to this blog post as a Podcast instead: #44 - The Communication Game: Should You Speak with 'We' or 'I'?

🩵 In this episode Handmade Bosses founder, Steph, dives into the great "I vs. We" debate that many handmade business owners face.

❓ Should you present your brand as a solo handmade business or as a team? Steph shares talks about the pros and cons of using "I" versus "we," helping you decide which approach aligns best with your business.

Should You Say “I” or “We” in Your Handmade Business? Let’s Talk Branding! 

Hey, Handmade Boss! 👋

If you’ve ever stared at your Instagram bio, website, or Etsy “About” section and wondered, Should I say “I” or “We”?—you’re not alone. It’s a question that every handmade business owner has thought about at some point.

Should you go all-in on the solo entrepreneur vibe, making your business feel like a passionate one-person mission?

Or should you use “we” to give the impression of a bigger, more established brand?

Well, that’s exactly what we’re diving into in todays blog —let’s break it down together!

1. Using “I” in Your Branding: The Power of Personal Connection 

If your handmade business is a one-person show, using “I” makes total sense!

✨ It feels personal and authentic—your audience knows exactly who’s behind the brand.

✨ It builds trust because people love buying from real makers (not faceless companies).

✨ It lets you tell your story in a meaningful way, making your brand stand out.

Think about it—when you buy from a handmade business, you’re not just buying a product. You’re buying the passion, creativity, and love that went into making it. By saying “I”, you’re inviting your customers into your world and showing them the real person behind the brand. 

Example: 

➡ “I handcraft every piece of jewellery with love from my studio in Cornwall.” 

➡ “I started this business because I wanted to create unique gifts that hold special meaning.” 

See how warm and inviting that sounds? Like a real conversation with a friend! 💛

2. Using “We” in Your Branding: The Professional Edge 

On the other hand, using “we” can make your brand sound more established—even if it’s just you and your cat supervising from the couch. 😹

✨ It makes your business look bigger, which can help with credibility.

✨ It works great if you have a team, collaborators, or outsourced help.

✨ It can give your brand a more polished, professional feel—useful if you’re looking to scale!

If your goal is to position yourself as a growing business, using “we” might be the right move for you.

Example: 

➡ “We create beautifully handcrafted candles with eco-friendly ingredients.” 

➡ “At Handmade Boss Designs, we believe in making high-quality, personalised gifts.” 

This works particularly well if you plan to expand or already have a small team (even if it’s just a partner, family member, or occasional assistant!).

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3. Can You Use Both? (Yes, You Totally Can!) 

Good news—you don’t have to choose just one!

A lot of handmade businesses switch between “I” and “we” depending on the context:

✔ Use “I” in places where you want to be personal and relatable (like Instagram captions or behind-the-scenes posts).

✔ Use “we” in areas where you want to sound more professional (like your website, emails, or packaging).

For example, you could say:

👉 “I personally design and create every piece by hand, but behind the scenes, we work with trusted suppliers to ensure the highest quality.” 

This way, you’re being transparent while still sounding professional. Win-win! 🎉

4. What Feels Right for YOU? 

At the end of the day, there’s no right or wrong answer—it’s all about what feels genuine for your business.

If you’re a one-person brand who wants to create a deep personal connection with customers, stick with “I.” 

If you’re growing your business and want to sound a little bigger or more established, go with “we.” 

And if you’re still unsure? Test it out! See what feels natural in your emails, product descriptions, and social media posts. Your audience will connect most with what feels authentic to you!

Final Thoughts: Just Be YOU! 

Branding should feel natural, easy, and fun. Whether you use “I” or “we,” what matters most is that your customers feel connected to you and your story. 

So, Handmade Boss—what do YOU use in your business? “I” or “we”? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts! 💬✨

Love Steph xox

👋 Welcome everyone! My name is Steph, I've been running my handmade business full time on Etsy since 2016, and I'm here to help you! 

🧡 I'll help you to start an Etsy shop, Etsy ads, show you how to sell more on Etsy, get to grips with Etsy SEO, Etsy branding, Etsy product ideas, finding your target market, identifying your niche and many many more.

🛍️ If you have an Etsy shop or your own website selling handmade products, or want to start one, this is THE channel you need to be subscribed to!

💰 I help markers start, run and scale their handmade businesses. Turning them from an expensive hobby to profitable businesses making 4 and 5 figure months on Etsy and your own website.

✨ Join the HBSA waitlist

✨ Free resources: Want to make headway in your business but don't want to pay yet? You're in the right place! 

✨ Work with us for deeper transformative results

✨I go live most Mondays on YouTube and in my Facebook group for mini workshops to help you make more money from your handmade business! You can see our upcoming events here

That’s all for now! Be sure to subscribe and follow us on IG for announcements of new videos, workshops, content and more.

Love Steph & Team HB xox