How do you advertise yourself for contract work? Do you have a one person company, or you are just a contractor? While both things may in the end mean more or less the same, their perception might be different and you could be able to get paid more in the first than in the second case. Or am I wrong?

I went from 2 people (myself and a partner) to 8, so I didn't do the individual thing myself.

In my experience, a single person ("John Smith" or "John Smith Consulting LLC") isn't at a big disadvantage against a small company (John Smith as sole member of "Razor Consulting LLC" or whatever). We would often compete with, and work alongside, individuals. It's all about getting your brand out there. You want people to hear about and trust your brand - whether it's your name as an individual, or a company name. But don't confuse people by pushing both. I actually recommend using your individual name unless you want to grow bigger than 2 full-time employees. I have several friends who are individual contractors, and most of them have incorporated under another name. But they are known by their personal name, not their company name. That's their brand, so to speak.

I'm currently using my name plus a descriptive word (say "Smith Software" or "Graham Tech"), and if I think about it, what I'm doing most is contract work myself (along with some consulting). Do you find it advisable?

Tell me if this answers your question: if I were you, I would form an LLC ("Smith Software"), but push your personal name ("John Smith") as you network, look for jobs, introduce yourself, etc. So Smith Software goes on your contracts, and (maybe?) is your domain name, but you want people to get to know _you_, not Smith Software. Especially if you're good. "John Smith the ruby/python/design expert" is a perfectly legitimate way to be known. It's easier than "Smith Software, the small expert ruby/python/design house", IMO.

I know 10-20 independent programmers and designers in my area, and in every single case, I think of them by their personal names. I'm sure they all have some LLC name, but in most cases, I don't know what it is. Even if they put it on their business card, I'm more likely to refer them to someone as an individual ("I know this good designer - Mick Jones - you should talk to him") rather than by a company name ("I know this good design shop - Compelling Solutions - you should check them out.")

I think this changes when you grow beyond 2 full-time folks. At 2, people can remember both of your names. But beyond there, they're likely to remember the company name, plus one of the principles. ("You should check out Compelling Solutions - talk to Mick Jones.")

At least that's my experience. :)

This is great advice, thank you. An only extra question... being a single person means that I can't do more than one or two development projects at once, but at many times clients ask me to (and I have to tell them I can't, I'm already busy, etc). Do you think it's a problem? How do single contractors handle this?

I guess it's a lot easier if you push yourself as an independent programmer, as it's reasonable that a single guy is already busy at the time you call him... but as soon as you introduce a company name I think the expectations change. So that's an extra reason to follow your advice.