HOW MUCH DO YOU CHARGE?
Let’s start with the most popular question, shall we? Since every project – and client – is different, I need to get a pretty fair assessment of what the project entails before I provide an estimate. My clients find my rates to be competitive with other writers of comparable experience and skills. I promise two things: Before we start, I’ll provide a written cost estimate. And if circumstances during the project cause fees to change drastically, I’ll notify you BEFORE the bill comes. With me, there are no surprises – except when you see how well your copy reads.
DO YOU CHARGE BY THE HOUR OR BY THE PROJECT?
I can work either way – whatever makes you most comfortable.
HOW DOES YOUR PAYMENT PROCESS WORK?
If you are a new client, or if your project costs $2,000 or more, I request half the fee up front before the project begins. The rest will be billed upon final completion. If a project is killed on your end before final completion, you’ll be billed according to the hours of work already completed. If a project is delayed on your end for one month or more during the writing process, you may also be billed according to the hours of work already completed.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE YOU TO DO MY PROJECT?
That depends on the project and the client. Writing times can range anywhere from a few minutes for a simple e-mail blast to several months for a comprehensive annual report or direct mail campaign. And remember – along with the writing, there’s research and approval time as well. Before we start, I’ll provide you with a detailed timeline that estimates completion dates for each step of the project. And I will do everything I can to get the project back to you on time and on budget.
WHEN I SAY I NEED MY PROJECT YESTERDAY, I’M NOT KIDDING. HOW FAST CAN YOU WORK?
Pretty fast, but in cases like this, I tack on a rush charge of 25 percent above my requested fee, and I may require at least half the payment up front. I’ll be too busy working on your project to spend the money, but it’s only fair.
MOST OF MY WRITING NEEDS ARE WEB BASED AND NOT VERY LENGHTLY. DO I REALLY NEED A COPYWRITER TO HANDLE THAT?
Yes. Almost any writer will tell you that short copy is more challenging to write than longer copy. If you have to distill the entire essence of a company, product or program in 50 words or less, you need the right 50 words to make people take notice. That’s why the talents of a writing pro are essential for optimum exposure and success.
CAN’T I JUST COPY THE PRINT MATERIALS I ALREADY HAVE AND PUT THAT ON THE WEB?
Sure – but they probably won’t get read. Here’s a sobering stat: According to Jakob Nielsen, principal of the Nielsen Norman Group, four out of five visitors to a Web page scan the copy, while less than one out of five read word-for-word. The good news is that through mircocontent – specialized use of headlines, decks, subheads, links, bullet points and highlighted text – your printed materials can be re-purposed in ways that make Web readers take notice. Yes, it is extra effort – but that’s what I’m here for.
I’M SPENDING MOST OF MY MONEY ON WEB DESIGN, SO I DON’T HAVE TO PAY TOO MUCH ATTENTION TO THE COPY, RIGHT?
Wrong. Certainly, design is an extremely integral part of a Web site – or any collateral. But even though the Internet has changed the way people read (see the above questions), they do still read - after all, you’re reading this, aren’t you? Even with eye-popping WOW designs, you still need creative copy to tell your audience what you want them to know. As a copywriter, I’ll work in tandem with your designers to create just the right fusion between words and graphics.
MY COMPANY ALREADY HAS A COMMUNICATIONS/PR DEPARTMENT. CAN YOU WORK WITH THEM?
Absolutely. Several of my clients have in-house communications/pr departments, yet there are many times when they don’t have enough staff to effectively handle the plethora of projects before them. If your writing plate runneth over, I’ll work with your communications/pr team to help you breathe a little easier.
THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO WILL NEED TO SEE MY PROJECT BEFORE IT GOES OUT. HOW DO YOU HANDLE THE APPROVAL PROCESS?
I enjoy this question – it means that your company has people who really care about the written word and what you’re communicating. I do request that there be just one person on your staff – a production manager or a communications representative, for example – who traffics all the drafts and gets everybody’s corrections back to me. That’s the best way to ensure that everyone’s input is considered. If there are many people in the approval process, I'll help you to determine realistic deadlines so they can review the work without rushing.
If you’ve got some questions I haven’t answered, please contact me.
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