FAQs
This page will keep growing as more copywriting, consulting and design FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) are created.
Q. What’s your process for working with clients?
A. Each client project is treated individually. If my timeframe suits your needs, and I’m agreeable on completing your project, I’ll craft a proposal that will outline each phase of what is to be done, and an overall project fee.
See the info under “How Do I Get Started” below.
Q. I need an _______ completed in ___ days. Can you help me?
A. There is no set answer to this question. If you require urgent assistance, I can often assist, or suggest alternative resources if I cannot help you. While most projects generally have a 3 to 5 week lead-time, there are times or opportunities at times to look at projects more urgently, depending on their complexity and my current schedule.
For ad and design layouts, the turnaround time is often much quicker as I am able to brief and direct (and finalise) layouts created by staff in our business. This ensures the project has an expert brief and all final revisions have my personal input and approval, but means the timeframe is much shorter.
For copywriting projects, I have a rush surcharge fee you can pay to have your project “jump the queue”, so long as the timeframe is acceptable.
Q. Do you guarantee your services?
A. Yes. You have 30 days from receiving your initial draft to go over your completed material with me. Any edits, tweaks or revisions within the scope of the proposal that need to be made will be made for free. I will then revise your copy and prepare a final draft for you.
Once you have received this final draft, you have an entire month to give it a go and see how well it works for you (which from feedback and experience is usually sufficient time to test the copy).
In the unlikely event you are not completely satisfied after that month of testing, I will revise or rewrite your material free and create new materials to help you get the results you want, to make sure you’re thrilled with the copy.
Q. Will you work on my project just for a percentage of sales?
A. Generally my answer to this request is “no”.
The “message” — your copy — is simply one part of what needs to work to have a successful marketing campaign. You also need to be putting that message in front of the right market using the right media. As I’m not intimately involved with your business and I cannot control how you intend to use the copy I’ve prepared for you, nor whether you have the budget to undertake all elements of the campaign.
Also, you control how you respond to leads, your sales training and techniques, and how you deliver once a prospect is interested in your product or service, so much of the result is out of my hands.
This is also the reason I do not provide a specific result-based guarantee, like a certain number of sales or a specific increase in your response rate.
Other elements that affect your response include your offer and your guarantee — while I can make recommendations, those elements are out of my control and again play a key role in your overall response.
Because of those factors, a project fee is more suitable for the way I work. Generally I will look at a combination of both a project fee and a performance royalty (although each option still provides incentives for me to put in the best effort I can).
But if your attitude is that “Hey, I’ll pay you if it’s any good” then you should look elsewhere for a copywriter.
Q. How do I get started?
A. Simply contact me and request your “Getting Started Audit and Questionnaire”.
Once completed and returned to me, I will then let you know if I’m able to assist you (with an estimated timeframe). It really goes without saying that this process needs your essential input. The answers to your Getting Started assessment marketing audit and project questionnaire help me decide whether or not we proceed.
If we do, I’ll prepare and provide you with a proposal. Your proposal will include what’s included in your project, a timetable, legal and other obligations and details about the project fee and deposit information. A deposit will be required, which is usually 100% in advance. (If we have worked on projects before, or you are referred to us from a trusted source, we will usually proceed on the basis of a 50% first payment and then final 50% payment (due before the first draft is handed over).
This does not mean your project will begin immediately. This payment ensures your project is booked into the next available opening in my schedule as outlined in the preliminary timetable.
Q. How do your design skills tie in with copywriting?
A. One of the best aspects of working with me is combining 19 years of graphic design skills with direct response copy skills.
Why is this important?
Creating the copy and then leaving the presentation of your material at the mercy of a designer often spells trouble. Copywriters experience problems in the interpretation of their instructions. That costs you time and money.
In my case, being able to provide both direct response copy and design eliminates this problem and means the presentation of your copy is exactly as it is intended to be.
Think about marketing for a moment: as Dan Kennedy (and other experts like Mal Emery) would say, marketing is simply the right message to the right market using the right media.
And if you break down the “message” part of that equation, it is the combination of the content and a powerful, persuasive and effective presentation of that content in the relevant media. Combining the copy/content and presentation gives you the most effective option.
Sadly, I’ve seen how artwork created directly by a publication or an inexperienced designer can literally wreck the intended message by using weak or poor layout techniques, or even changing layouts and prominent elements in your copy!
So not only will I be able to provide the copywriting for your project, I’m able to ensure your “final” printed or online projects match exactly the way the work is intended to be used.
Now I’ll admit I’m still not able (or willing) to do “everything”. Sometimes I will brief another professional to help with your project. But again, having a design background helps ensure that brief is as accurate as can be to ensure the result matches the request.
From experience, this can make a big difference on the readability and attention-grabbing nature of your campaign. That in turn improves your response — and your profits. It means “more business for your business”. I’ll be drawing on more than 15 years of print experience (and 13 years of internet experience) to maximise the impact of your project.