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Frequently Asked Questions.I want to hire a copywriter...What's on this page (click or scroll down):
"What size business do you write copy for?"I specialize in writing sales copy for small and medium sized businesses. I will, however, consider any size operation. I prefer not to write for large corporations but will consider them and I don't write or consult for the government. I will consider educational institutions. I usually won't write for non-profits. Back to Questions "What sets you apart from other copywriters and marketing consultants?"The main way I differ is that I help my clients to develop an offer or offers that gets results. The offer I create raises the client's rate of return two or three, even four times what he would otherwise get. To the best of my knowledge that's something no other copywriter does or, if they do, they charge extremely high fees because it's time-consuming and it takes a good deal of skill and experience. In addition, I develop a unique selling proposition for clients. If they already have one and it's not working, I help them to develop one that will work. Other ways I differ I specialize in Persuasion Dynamics, which matches your prospect's buying needs and desires to your sales message by applying proven sales and consumer psychology. The focal point is on persuading your prospects to take action. Most copywriters don't take their writing to this level nor do they totally understand how to apply these unique selling skills to their writing if, in fact, they even have them. Probably the fact that I spend the time to really understand your business is another thing that makes me unique. I learn all about your product or service, what your unique selling proposition is and many other things. Before I even write a word, I know as much about your business as you do. Unlike most copywriters, I don't just sit down and start to write. Before I write a word, I learn all about your business. Then I spend hours --- as long as it takes --- to develop just the right headlines, sub-heads and outline your project. It's a totally different concept that sells your products or service. One of the complaints I hear most often about copywriters is that they don't care about their client's business enough to study it. They just start to write. The client is dissatisfied and must hire another copywriter. A big waste of time and money. In addition, I accept only a limited number of clients and projects. That way I can provide the best service and get you the best results. I specialize in converting your prospects into clients and customers as well as getting you prospects to convert in the first place. These two types of sales are called lead-generation and order-getting. You first must have the prospects to sell to. Then you must sell to those prospects. Back to Questions "What types of assignments do you handle?"You and your prospects and clients are important to me. My writing is tailored to your needs and what is in your best interest. I specialize in writing clear and persuasive direct response and advertising copy for a variety of businesses and products, from relatively simple to the more complex. I provide valuable marketing solutions and not just copy. Among the many items you might hire me to write are: In short, I write anything that will sell your product or service. Furthermore, I provide you with ideas and plans that will get new business for you and increase your exposure to your prospects. Back to Questions "Do you provide graphics or design?"No, just copy. Very effective, dynamic and powerful copy. You are best served by someone who knows their own craft extremely well and sticks to it. Words are what sells. Let someone else handle the graphics and the other things that, while important, don't create sales for you. There is one small exception to this, however. If you need a vendor page written or an online sales letter, I can provide you with a completely designed page that's ready for you to ftp to your site. Ask me for details. In addition, I can arrange for a professional web designer if you need one. Back to Questions "Our business is unique. We have a hard-to-understand product. I'm not sure you can write for me. Are you sure you can write copy for my business?"Yes. Many of my projects are like that. For example, I know nothing about underground storage tanks. But based on the information my client provided, I wrote a highly technical and successful direct mail package for Sequential Software, a company that writes software for businesses that design these unique tanks. I can write for any sort of company and business. There are, however, some business that I won't write for. I generally choose the businesses that I do copywriting for very carefully. In addition, I don't write for everyone who asks me to. I reserve my time for clients who can afford a quality copywriter and are not working on a shoestring budget. While some copywriters accept anyone who will hire them, I prefer to accept a limited number of clients and give them the best service possible. Back to Questions "What about fees? Are you expensive?"My fees are what you would expect to pay a professional copywriter with years of experience and with the ability to give a great deal of value in return. My minimum fee for any project of any size is $3,000. All rates vary depending on the size and complexity of the project. Fill out the COPYWRITING QUOTE REQUEST FORM to get a FREE quote for your project. I give you a firm quote. The quote is based on the number of pages and amount of work I estimate I'll do. In many cases, however, I go over that estimated amount of work. You do not pay extra! I take the hit. You know upfront what the fee will be. If I do more work than I thought I'd do, that's my problem. Back to Questions "Who in my company or firm do you communicate with regarding financial arrangements and other matters?"I always make financial arrangements with the sole decision maker of the business. All communication is with the person authorized to make final decisions. I don't do business with secretaries or people not in a position to make a decision. Nor do I work by committee. Back to Questions "What about method of payment and your terms?"All fees are 100% payable upfront, including any surcharges. No exceptions. No negotiation. My work on your project will begin upon receipt of the full payment. I make any changes you want at no cost to you. See my revision policy. After we agree to work together, we both sign an agreement and you overnight your payment. Back to Questions "About how long will it take for you to complete my project?"Your sales copy is delivered in 4-6 weeks. Don't expect anything overnight or in a day or two. If your job is a rush job, there is a surcharge of 50 percent. When that surcharge is paid, your project is begun immediately. Back to Questions "Can you do a rush job?"I generally can do rush jobs. There is, of course, an extra charge for doing so. But keep in mind that your emergencies and crises are not mine. I understand they're important to you and I respect that. But I'm sure you don't want to take on my crises or those of your customers. So if you want something yesterday, I can't help you. I work on my time and my schedule. I get your project out as quickly as I can. So unless you pay for a rush job, I'm sure you understand that you should expect standard delivery of your copy. Back to Questions "What if I need a revision?"Just tell me what changes you want and I’ll make them—fast. I do not charge for rewriting. Three revisions are included in the flat fee we agree to for the assignment provided they are assigned within 30 days of your receipt of the copy and are not based on a change in the assignment after copy has been submitted. If you choose a limited-services plan, you get one free revision within 7 days if you ask for it. Back to Questions "Do you offer a guarantee?"
Back to Questions "What information do I need to provide you with if I hire you?"Most all of the information I need is in the Creative Brief I ask you to fill out. If I need more information, I'll let you know. Perhaps the most important information you can give me is to let me know what action you want the person reading your advertising to take. If it's a phone call, be sure to provide me with the number you want them to call. Tell me any offer you want to present in the advertising, etc. I will be happy to work with you on offers for your product or service. Back to Questions "Do you have samples I can see? How about references?"I have lots of samples. I an also provide you with references if you're seriously interested in hiring me and if you ask for them. Back to Questions "Would you tell me a little more about your revision policy? I don't completely understand it."Sure. You have up to 7 days after I deliver the copy to you to have me make changes to the copy. I will give you one free revision if you ask for it. If you have any other questions about revisions, please feel free to send me email. I try to be very fair and do everything I can to please you. Naturally I have to take a lot into consideration. The keyword to keep in mind about revisions is "reasonable." Back to Questions "What is your business philosophy?"My philosophy is simple. It's based on the words of architect Howard Roark in the famous fiction work The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. Roark said, "I don't build in order to have clients; I have clients in order to build." My version of that is simply this. I don't write in order to have clients; I have clients in order to write. Back to Questions "Why should I hire you instead of hire a staff copywriter?"I can think of a hundred reasons to out source your copywriting. But here are a few: Back to Questions "Wouldn't I be better off hiring a local copywriter?"Why? What advantage would you have? Do you think you'd have more control over him? Not so. A copywriter is an independent agent. As much as you might like to, you don't control his time or how he works. He's an independent business person, no matter how near or far from you he lives and works. He is not your employee. Some folks think a local person is cheaper. In some cases they are. And if you're just looking for a cheap copywriter, that's fine. If results matter, however, don't you deserve the best you can afford? I have local clients I've never met. I also have clients all over the world. Hiring a local copywriter offers no advantage to you at all. Back to Questions "I want to hire you. What do I do?"Request a Quote. That starts the process. The Quote is FREE and you're under NO OBLIGATION. What you can expect from me.Once you hire me I'll interview you at length, either on the phone or by e-mail or both. I want to understand your needs and how I can best serve you. Additionally I will generally follow up with you to see how your copy is working for you. Back to Questions "I'm not sure I want your help but I would like to explore the possibility. What do I do?"Click on the "Request Quote" link to the left. You're under NO OBLIGATION and you'll get further information and a quote. Then I can determine if I am able to help you and if we have a fit for working together to get you more business. Back to Questions "I could do the copywriting myself if I had the time. But I don't. So I assume you don't charge much since copywriting is easy."I've had people tell me this in an attempt to lower the value of my work and also the fee. It doesn't work. Copywriting takes a master. Not even a good writer can necessarily write sales copy. Copywriting is only about forty percent writing at best. The rest is marketing through words. So you do your job. I'll do mine. And you'll make more money, get more leads and sales than you ever dreamed possible. No, you can't do it yourself. Not if you want to be successful and not if you want a professional image. Only a professional can do a professional job. Back to Questions "What exactly do you do when you're assigned a project? How do you handle it?"Glad you asked. For this answer in full visit this page.
Back to Questions "Do you negotiate your fees or your contract?"I don't play around with my quotes like some copywriters. I know you want to get down to business. I respect that and I'm the same way. I quote you my best fee. While I don't negotiate, I will take something of value off the table in exchange for a smaller fee. Back to Questions Did you find the answer to your questions in the FAQ? If not, send me e-mail. For a FREE 15-Minute Consultation call 786-319-4405 now.
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ou bet. I guarantee that you will get excellent copywriting and that it will be delivered when promised. There is no way, however, that I (or any copywriter) can guarantee you any specific results.