How to choose your role

Before you publish a story on NailTeller, you'll be asked to choose your role. This is one of the most important pieces of information because it tells readers who is sharing the story and from what perspective.

There is no "best" role. Simply choose the role that most accurately matches your own experience in the story you're telling.

What is a role?

A role describes your connection to the story.

It tells readers whether the story is being told by a salon owner, a nail technician, a customer, a receptionist, or someone else connected to the nail industry.

The same event can look very different depending on who experienced it. Choosing the correct role helps readers immediately understand your point of view before they begin reading.

Your role is about who you were when the story happened, not necessarily who you are today.

Why choosing the correct role matters

Every story has a perspective.

Selecting the correct role makes your story easier to understand and gives readers important context from the very beginning.

Choosing the correct role helps:

  • Show readers who is telling the story.
  • Explain your relationship to the people involved.
  • Help visitors find stories from perspectives they enjoy reading.
  • Improve story organization throughout NailTeller.
  • Make browsing and searching more accurate.

Imagine reading the title:

"I almost quit after what happened on Friday."

That sentence means something completely different if the storyteller is a salon owner, a nail technician, or a customer.

Available roles

NailTeller offers several roles so every story can be shared from the correct perspective.

Salon owner

What it means

You own or operate a nail salon.

Choose this role when

  • You are making business decisions.
  • You are hiring or managing employees.
  • You are dealing with customers as the owner.
  • The story happened while running your salon.

Example

A new nail technician impressed you during the interview but unexpectedly stopped showing up after only two weeks.

Nail technician

What it means

You personally perform nail services for customers.

Choose this role when

  • You worked behind the nail table.
  • You provided manicure or pedicure services.
  • The experience happened while serving clients.

Example

A regular customer suddenly asked you to recreate a complicated celebrity nail design just before closing time.

Salon manager

What it means

You managed the daily operation of a salon but were not the owner.

Choose this role when

  • You supervised employees.
  • You handled scheduling.
  • You solved customer complaints.
  • You coordinated salon operations.

Example

Two technicians argued over a walk-in customer and you had to settle the disagreement before it affected the salon.

Receptionist

What it means

You worked at the salon's front desk.

Choose this role when

  • You answered phone calls.
  • You scheduled appointments.
  • You checked customers in.
  • You handled payments or daily front desk tasks.

Example

A customer arrived thirty minutes late and became upset because another client had already taken the appointment.

Salon employee

What it means

You worked inside a nail salon but your job doesn't fit another specific role.

Choose this role when

  • You were an assistant.
  • You helped with salon operations.
  • You supported technicians or owners.

Example

You noticed the atmosphere in the salon completely changed whenever the owner left for the day.

Customer

What it means

You visited the salon to receive nail services.

Choose this role when

  • You were getting your nails done.
  • You were receiving a manicure or pedicure.
  • The experience happened as a client.

Example

You came in for a simple manicure but unexpectedly overheard a conversation that completely changed your opinion of the salon.

Former salon professional

What it means

You previously worked in the nail industry but no longer do.

Choose this role when

  • The story happened years ago.
  • You are sharing memories from your former career.

Example

Even after leaving the industry, you still remember the customer who taught you one of the biggest lessons of your career.

Other

What it means

Your connection to the story doesn't fit any of the available roles.

Choose this role when

  • You were a vendor.
  • You were a delivery driver.
  • You were a family member.
  • You had another direct connection to the salon.

Example

You delivered salon supplies every week and witnessed an unexpected argument between the owner and a supplier.

Tips for choosing the right role

  • Choose the role that best matches your own experience.
  • Don't choose a role because it sounds more important.
  • Think about who you were when the story happened.
  • If you've worked in several roles, choose the one that fits this story.
  • Choose your role, not another person's role.
  • Use Other only when no listed role applies.

For example, you might own a salon today, but if your story happened years ago while you were working as a nail technician, then Nail Technician is the correct choice.

Common mistakes

Choosing your current role instead of your role during the story

Always choose the role you had when the events actually happened.

Choosing another person's role

If you're a customer writing about a salon owner, your role is still Customer.

Mixing multiple roles

Every story should have one storyteller and one selected role.

Picking a role because it sounds better

Readers appreciate honest perspectives. Accuracy is more important than choosing a title that sounds impressive.

Frequently asked questions

Can I choose different roles for different stories?

Yes. Every story can have its own role depending on your experience in that specific situation.

Can I change my role later?

If editing is available, you may update your role to better match your story.

What if I've worked in several roles?

Choose the role that best represents you during the events you're describing.

Should I choose the role of the main character?

No. Choose your own role as the storyteller.

What if my role isn't listed?

Choose Other if none of the available roles accurately describes your connection to the story.

Before you continue

Before publishing your story, ask yourself one simple question:

"Who was I when this story happened?"

The answer to that question is usually the correct role to choose.

Selecting the right role helps readers understand your story from the very first sentence and makes NailTeller easier for everyone to explore.