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Do you tell people you’re self-employed?

r/Entrepreneur
8/14/2025

Content Summary

The post discusses the challenges of explaining one's self-employment to others. Many people feel tired of repeatedly explaining their work and prefer to use vague terms like 'I work online' to avoid lengthy conversations. Some users share strategies for handling these situations, such as using creative pitches, leveraging informal interactions to gather feedback, and practicing elevator pitches. The discussion also touches on the importance of confidence, identity, and the need to embrace self-employment as a valid and proud career choice.

Opinion Analysis

Mainstream opinions suggest that many people are tired of explaining their work and prefer to keep it simple. There is a general consensus that self-employment should be embraced with pride rather than hidden. Some users argue that using vague answers can be counterproductive, as it may lead to missed networking opportunities. Others believe that it's important to be clear about one's profession to build credibility and trust. A few controversial opinions suggest that lying about one's job or using misleading descriptions can be detrimental in the long run. Overall, the discussion highlights the importance of confidence, clarity, and effective communication when discussing one's career.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Phrulerhttp://Phruler.comMobile AppiOS app that helps users with measurements; used for marketing and user feedback
[No other SaaS tools mentioned][N/A][N/A][N/A]

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Tired of repeatedly explaining what they do
  • Struggling with how to describe their work in a way that is engaging and not confusing
  • Frustrated by the need to constantly pitch their business or service
  • Wanting to build confidence in self-employment and avoid social judgment

Problems to Solve:

  • How to effectively communicate their profession without being seen as pretentious or vague
  • How to turn casual conversations into opportunities for networking or marketing
  • How to build a strong personal brand and identity as a self-employed individual

Potential Solutions:

  • Using creative and engaging pitches to explain their work
  • Leveraging informal interactions to gather user feedback and improve products
  • Building confidence in their work and embracing the identity of being self-employed

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Using organic, person-to-person marketing to gain visibility and user feedback
  • Testing and refining product features based on real user interaction
  • Practicing elevator pitches to improve communication skills and sales techniques

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Engaging with potential users through direct conversations and demonstrations
  • Encouraging word-of-mouth marketing by creating valuable and useful products
  • Using Reddit and other online communities to connect with like-minded individuals and potential customers

Monetization & Product:

  • Focusing on building a solid foundation before investing in paid advertising or influencer partnerships
  • Prioritizing user satisfaction and feedback to ensure product-market fit
  • Creating a unique value proposition that differentiates the product from competitors

User Engagement:

  • Encouraging user interaction through direct engagement and feedback loops
  • Building a community around the product by fostering connections with users
  • Using casual conversations as opportunities to refine messaging and improve the product