Everything You (Probably) Want to Know About Working with Me

If we’ve never worked together before, please read this section first to see if we’re going to be a good fit…

I believe in giving 100% to every project I work on – and to do that, it means we need to establish open, honest and clear communication right from the start. My clients say they enjoy my professionalism, honesty and dedication to their projects, and I hope you will too…

Q. I’m a little worried about the time difference – you’re in France and I’m not.  How do you handle communications, and how quickly can I expect to hear back from you?

A. When I’m working on your project, I will answer your emails, skype messages and/or phone calls the same day or the next business day – and I appreciate the same courtesy from you. (By the way,  I don’t work weekends or holidays or while on vacation, and probably won’t check my email during those times.) If you have an emergency or need to get in touch with me right away, you’ll have my private 800 number.

Q. What do you need from me in order to start working on my project?

A. Before I start working on your project, you’ll need to fill out a detailed copy brief (a form with questions).  It’s part of your ‘New Client Packet’ which my VA will send you. This packet also includes your fee agreement and any information you need from me.  As soon as I get everything back from you, including the deposit, I start working on your project.

Q. What is the information I send you used for?

I use the information in the form (and any other materials I’ve asked for) to learn what I need to know about your market, your products or services and exactly what you want your copy to accomplish.

Q. What’s the best way to be sure you finish my project on time? I tried outsourcing some of my copy writing and the guy took my deposit and disappeared for weeks on end.  When I finally did get it back, I wasn’t happy with it, but didn’t want to go through the long process again.

A. Want to make sure I finish your project on time? It’s pretty simple, really. All you have to do is send me the materials, information or answers I need as quickly as humanly possible. Do that, and I can give you what I promised, when I promised to do it.   Remember, one of my main objectives is to finish your project on time, so you can move forward with it quickly. I usually have a pretty full calendar, so I want to finish your job on time, so I can help my next client.  And as for disappearing, you’ve not only got all my contact information, but you can find me on twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and various other sites.  I’ve been here for almost 6 years, and I’m not going anywhere!

Q. What kind of copy do you write, and are there projects you don’t accept?

A. I only write copy for clients who sell high quality products or services. I don’t do MLM, pornography, ‘scams’ of any kind, or projects that are rip-offs of other people’s work. I also don’t do research papers, theses.  If this is what you’re selling, then I am absolutely, positively NOT the copywriter for you.

Q. How quickly can you start to work on my project, and what kind of priority will it have?

A. Although I usually choose to work on only one project at a time, my schedule gets booked pretty quickly, and there are times I may be booked for several weeks to a month out. (Except for ghostwriting projects I try not to book more than two months out.)  During our consultation call, I’ll tell you exactly when I can start working on your project. By working this way, you always know your project has my undivided attention, and I remain focused on giving you the kind of original, creative, kick-butt copy that helps you achieve your goals. (And it also gives you the time to get all the information I need put together before the start date!)

Q. What if I have a rush job that I need done right away?

A. Rush jobs are subject to an additional fee equal to 25% of the total project cost, which must be paid with the initial deposit. (A rush job is defined as any project you need done right away.)

Q. Do you negotiate your fees, or take on pro-bono work?  Will you lower your fees if I promise to give you more work in the future?

A. I don’t negotiate my fees, so please don’t ask. (If you’re not willing to make the investment in your project, neither am I.)  From time to time, I do pro-bono work for causes I believe in. Please see my nonprofit page for more information and to learn how to send me a request. (If you don’t see a clickable link, it means I’m currently at my quota and not available for pro-bono projects.)  But if you’d like to contact me anyway, just click the ‘Contact Me‘ link.

Occasionally, I am willing to work on a specific project with no money up front, and a share of the profits on the back-end.  I have very specific objectives for these types of joint venture projects – and rarely work them with start-up business ventures or first-time projects.  However, if you think your project is special and has a better-than-average chance of success, please feel free to get in touch with me through this ‘Contact Me‘ link.

Q. Our company has a committee which must approve all copywriting projects. Is this a problem?

A. I don’t work with “groups” when it comes to my copywriting.  Although I’m always open to suggestions, ideas and feedback from you, if several people will be rewriting or changing my copy, then we’re not going to be a good match. You’ve hired me because of my expertise – so it’s important that you trust me to do my job.  Something to keep in mind is that when it all boils down, what counts is that the copy SELLS – and if you change it – even slightly – not only does it change the concept, but also the built-in structure that’s been purposefully designed to lead your prospect along the copy and taking the action you want them to take.

Q. Can you work directly with our Website designer?

A. If you’re hiring me to write copy for your Website, I’m happy to work with your designer at no extra charge.  This helps ensure the copy I created for you does what I wrote it to do – sell your products or services.  I’m writing killer content for you – and content is what sells, especially on the Internet. This is why I believe very strongly that you never try to fit the copy in around the design.  Of course, you can choose not to follow my recommendations about formatting, colors, photo or graphic placement and other subtle but critical elements… But don’t be upset later when it flies about as well as a lead balloon – especially if what you’re selling is complicated or very expensive.

Q. How do we measure the results of your copy for our new Website?

If you’re not already doing it, I highly recommend that you start tracking your online responses and conversions with Google Analytics.  It’s free, simple to set up and with a few clicks of your mouse, you’ll know how many hits your site is getting, what the conversion rate (number of sales you make) and where visitors are coming from, so you can test and tweak to increase your profits.

Q. I recently got burned with a so-called writer from another country – he gave me the lowest bid on my project, but it turned out not only was he a bad writer, he was copying things from other sites and trying to pass it off as his.  Is your work original? Also, do I retain the copyrights for it?

A. All of my work is 100% original. One good site to check for copyright violations is copyscape.  As soon as I’ve received the final payment, you retain all rights.

Q. What formats do you use to send my final content?

I can send it to you as a .doc file (word), pages file (mac) or in .pdf format.  You choose which format suits you the best.

Q. How do I send your payment and do you require a deposit?  Can I make payments?

A. I accept Paypal and bank to bank wire transfers  and require a 50% upfront deposit for all projects. The remaining 50% is due after you receive your 1^st round of copy. If you are a first-time customer and the amount is under $500, unless arrangement are made during our initial consultation, the full fee is due and payable before work begins.

Q. What is included in your fees?

Services included in my fees:

• In-depth initial consultation to discuss your project, your needs and your goals.

• Competitive Analysis of 3 – 5 closest competitors – based on available marketing materials. Includes review and analysis, your position in your market and recommended marketing strategy.

• Professional marketing audit – includes a review of your current marketing methods and recommendations to leverage your current efforts to get more traffic, turn that traffic into conversions and increase your opt-in list.

• Working closely with your Web designer for formatting, colors, photo or graphic placement, etc.

• Review of your current testimonials or case studies, with recommendations for improvement

• Interviews (of customers, staff, clients, members, etc.)

• 100% original copywriting work. (I don’t let anyone else work on your content.)

• All phone and email consultations – and I set up a teleconference line and record our sessions, so you don’t have to worry about taking notes.  (You can download the calls and listen to them again anytime you’d like. PLUS one of my assistants transcribes each and sends it to you (within 48 hours) so you don’t have to listen to the entire call to find the parts you want to go over.

• Complete honesty. If you’ve got a question about any aspect of your business, your marketing materials or strategy, or just about anything else – ask me.  Good or bad, you can count on me to respect you enough to tell you the truth.

• 2 revisions (if needed)

• Fast turn-around time – most projects can be completed within 1 to 2 weeks.