Frequently Asked Questions.

"Do you offer a guarantee?"

You 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. Why?

For the same reason a lawyer can't guarantee you a certain result.

Professionals can only guarantee you they'll do professional work and they'll bring all their skills, knowledge and education to the table on your behalf. A good deal of your success depends on your service and/or products and many other variables.

"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.

"Do you have samples I can see?"

I have lots of samples. Most of them are right here on the Web site.

"Would you tell me a little more about your revision policy? I don't completely understand it."

Sure. You have up to 30 days after I deliver the copy to you to have me make changes to the copy. I will give you three free revisions if you ask for them. But you must request them within the 30 days. Additional revisions are $175 per hour. My contract spells everything out.

Someone, a former client, came up with something new every day or so. She wanted that new material added to the copy. But my agreement with clients is that my work is based on what is provided to me at the beginning of the project. If you come up with a new idea or a new direction after I'm finished with your project or even during the writing of it, it's considered a new project and will incur a new charge.

In addition, if I do something for you "gratis", that is something I don't charge you for, I don't offer revisions to that because you're not paying for it. For example, I did the design for a web page for a client but did not charge him for it. He wanted something new added to it after completion of the project. I won't do that in most cases. Why? Simply put, he didn't pay for that part of the project. Furthermore, the project was completed. I was doing it as a favor to him. My obligation was to the copy.

It is also important to keep in mind that I must get your request for revisions within 30 days. A former client approached me four months later and wanted some revisions. I charged him $200 per hour to do them. My time is valuable.

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."

"What is your business philosophy?"

My philosophy is simple. I work by the words of Howard Roark in the work The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. He said, "I don't build in order to have clients; I have clients in order to build." My version? I don't write in order to have clients; I have clients in order to write.

"Why should I hire you instead of hire a staff copywriter?"

I can think of many reasons to hire someone outside of your organization to do your copywriting. But here are some:

• You don't fork over a salary or commission to me.
• You don't pay for my health insurance or other benefits.
• You don't pay for my office
• You don't furnish my computer or office supplies.
• You have no obligations to me except my fee.

"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 people believe that a local copywriter is cheaper. In some cases that's true. And if you're just looking for an inexpensive copywriter, that's okay. But if you want experience and proven ability, you need someone like me.

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.

"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. Or you can also call me at 316-665-6904 for a FREE 15-minute consultation. I wish I could give you more time. But that's all the free time I can afford. Thank you in advance for understanding.

What you can expect from me.

When hired, I get lots of information from you, usually by e-mail but by phone if necessary. Additionally I follow up with you to see how the copywriting I did for you is working for you.

"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.

Before I provide you with further in-depth information or a quote, however, I may ask you to fill out my Creative Brief and provide a budget. I know, you hate that. No one likes to fill out forms or give budgets. But look --- you're asking me and probably other copywriters to give you a quote and to provide you with our time and talent. Please give us the information we need to give you a fair and honest quote. It is to your advantage to do so.

"I could do the copywriting myself if I had the time. But I don't. So since copywriting is easy, I'm sure you don't charge much."

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. Good copywriting takes someone with experience. Not just any copywriter can necessarily write effective sales copy.

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.

"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.

"What sets you apart from other copywriters and marketing consultants?"

I specialize in a unique type of copywriting, which matches your prospect's purchasing needs to your sales message by using proven sales 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 make every effort to totally understand your business. I don't just sit at the computer and begin to write.

Before I write a word, I learn all about your business. Then I spend hours --- as long as it takes --- to create perfect headlines, sub-heads and to plan out your entire project. It's a unique concept and it 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 then is always unhappy and has to hire some other copywriter. This eats up 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.

"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:

• Direct Mail and E-mail
• Radio spots
• Press releases
• Web site copy and content
• Brochure copy
• Catalogue copy
• Slogans
• All sorts of marketing material including print ads, business names, business plans and speeches or whatever your needs.

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.

"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. The thing that sells your product or service are words. I let others handle the graphics and other things.

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.

"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. A few copywriters accept anyone, I accept a limited number of clients and provide them with the best service I can.

"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. Every project is just $9.99. Knowing what words to use and how to use them can run from $650 to thousands of dollars.

All rates vary depending on the size and complexity of the project. Fill out the REQUEST FOR A QUOTE FORM to get FIRM FEE FOR YOUR PROJECT. My fees are within the range of what most senior copywriters charge.

I don't compete on price. You get what you pay for and I provide tremendous value to my clients whether it's one project or a regular client paying month to month.

I don't negotiate fees. But I will do less work for a cheaper fee. Let me know if budget is a problem for you. Be honest. Maybe I can do less work for less pay. But I never discount my fee.

Please be prepared to provide me with a budget before I give you a quote. Let me know what you can afford to spend on a project so I know what I can afford to do for you or if you would be better off with a junior copywriter. This is only good business and most all professionals need to know what your budget is.

"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.

"What about method of payment and your terms?"

For your convenience, we only accept payment in advance.. You have several payment options. You may pay by Company check, EFT, Money Order or certified bank check. We don't accept credit cards or PayPal. And, as I'm sure you can understand, we don't give refunds and don't make guarantees.

My standard policy is to receive all payments in advance. My work on your project will begin upon receipt of the full payment.

I seldom have to deal with such things as chargebacks. My refund policy is easy to understand - I don't give them. Never did. Never will. Not for any reason. Not any time.

Because of the nature of Internet services, chargebacks or stop payments on checks or any attempt to avoid payment is considered theft and fraud. Once I perform a service for you, it can't be undone. My time cannot be returned. It's not like merchandise which can simply be returned. In addition, you are buying my time and my skill and not a certain result or tangible item.

Any problems you might have with my work are resolved through negotiation, never refund. Chargebacks and stop payments are publicly blacklisted and reported to authorities. Clients responsible for chargebacks will be faced with severe legal consequences and penalties.

These clauses in my agreement don't apply to the majority of people who hire me. These legal statements are only for those who would try to avoid payment and there are not many such people.

"About how long will it take for you to complete my project?"

I work on a first come, first serve basis. Once I receive your payment and as soon as I get your copy written, I upload it to you. I try and provide fast turnaround and will let you know in advance about how long your project will take. If you have a rush job, let me know. There is an extra charge but I can generally handle it.

I generally have very rapid turnaround. But you should allow at least two weeks on most projects. But each job is different. Don't expect something in 14 hours unless you're ready to pay a bundle!

While I do provide quick service, I need 3 to 4 weeks, as a rule, to finish a project. I want to provide you with the best service possible and that takes time. Plus I do have other clients.

"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.

"What if I need a revision?"

I ask you to check the copy for factual accuracy. If there is something in the copy that is not accurate, I will be delighted to change it. I gladly give you three free revisions if you ask for it within thirty days after you get your copy. After that, there is a charge. Most clients are very happy with the first draft I send them and you probably will be too.

Did you find the answer to your questions in the FAQ? If not, send me e-mail.