How to Create an Individual Profile
Are you a freelancer, consultant, artist, or independent professional in Dunedin? Create an individual profile to connect with potential clients and the community.
Important: Verification Required for Visibility
Individual profiles REQUIRE verification to be publicly visible. Your profile won't appear in search or directories until you subscribe to verification.
What this means:
- Create profile for free
- Get reviewed and approved
- Subscribe to verification for public visibility
- Unlocks news article posting
See How to Get Verified on Downtown+.
Who Should Create an Individual Profile?
Individual profiles are perfect for:
- Freelance professionals (writers, designers, developers)
- Independent consultants
- Artists and craftspeople
- Personal trainers and wellness coaches
- Real estate agents
- Photographers and videographers
- Tutors and educators
- Scottish cultural practitioners (pipers, dancers, teachers)
- Any service provider without a traditional storefront
Prerequisites
You'll need a Downtown+ account to create an individual profile. Visit the Contribute page to sign in or create an account.
For detailed instructions on account creation, email verification, and dashboard navigation, see the Getting Started with Downtown+ Dunedin guide.
Creating Your Individual Profile
From your Dashboard:
Step 1: Click "Add Profile"
- On the Profiles card, click "Add Profile"
- A modal will appear asking you to choose profile type
Step 2: Select "Individual Profile"
- Choose "Individual Profile" from the options
- Remember: You can only create one individual profile per downtown
- You'll be redirected to the individual profile creation form
Step 3: Fill Out Your Professional Information
- Complete all required fields (see below)
- Add optional information to stand out
- Upload your photo and work samples
Step 4: Submit for Review
- Review your information for accuracy
- Upload your government ID/license for identity verification
- Click "Submit"
- High-quality profiles may be approved immediately, or sent for review (2-4 business days)
Required Information
Professional Details:
- Your full name
- Occupation/job title
- Industry categories
- Professional description
Contact Information:
- Phone number (optional)
- Email address (optional)
- Website or portfolio URL
- Service area or address
Availability:
- Your working hours
- Whether you have a physical location
- If you travel to customers
- Custom availability notes
Identity Verification:
- Government ID or driver's license (required)
Optional Enhancements
Visual Content:
- Professional headshot or portrait
- Work samples or portfolio images
- Personal video introduction (verified profiles)
Additional Information:
- Detailed bio/background
- Specialties and services offered
- Education and certifications
- Years of experience
- Social media links
One Profile Per User
Important: Each user can create one individual profile per downtown area. This ensures authenticity and prevents duplicate profiles.
If you own a business AND work independently, you can have both a business profile and an individual profile.
After Submission
Your submission will receive one of three statuses:
- Approved – High-quality profiles are approved immediately
- Pending Review – Some submissions require manual verification (typically 2-4 business days)
- Rejected – Submissions with issues are declined with a reason provided
Important next step:
- Even after approval, your profile is NOT publicly visible
- You must subscribe to verification for public visibility
- See How to Get Verified on Downtown+
Security & Privacy
All verification documents are:
- Temporarily stored securely and privately
- Never shared publicly
- Used solely for identity verification
Standing Out
Write an Engaging Description:
- Explain your expertise and experience
- Highlight what makes you different
- Include relevant keywords
- Mention Dunedin connections
- If relevant, highlight Scottish cultural expertise
- Be authentic and personable
Professional Photos:
- Use a clear, high-quality headshot
- Show examples of your work
- Keep images professional but personable
Complete All Fields:
- The more information you provide, the better
- Complete profiles rank higher in search
- Detailed bios build trust with potential clients
Managing Your Profile
Once verified and live, you can:
- Update information anytime
- Add new work samples
- Adjust availability