Most people who contact me have never used a copywriter before and don’t know what to expect, so if that’s how you feel, don’t worry — you’re in good company. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions I get…
Q. What exactly does a copywriter do?
A. In a nutshell, I write copy (words/text) for advertising. I find the best words to get the message across for my client’s brochure, newsletter, print ad, poster, direct marketing, website, article, editorial, blog etc.
Q. How are you different to other copywriters?
A. Much of my time is not spent writing – it’s spent talking to you and getting important info out of your head. Strategy first. Words second. I also do .
Q. Do you have a specialty?
A. Yes, I have a couple.
Direct marketing and websites are my specialty — this is what is called ‘long copy’ (lots of words). Many copywriters don’t like or don’t specialise in long copy, because to be honest, it’s hard. I enjoy it because I’m not just a wordsmith, I’m a problem-solver.
I also specialise in dejargonizing — that’s my made-up word but you know exactly what it means — getting rid of jargon, government-speak, corporate-speak etc. I write for the man in the street.
Direct marketing and websites are my specialty — this is what is called ‘long copy’ (lots of words). Many copywriters don’t like or don’t specialise in long copy, because to be honest, it’s hard. I enjoy it because I’m not just a wordsmith, I’m a problem-solver.
I also specialise in dejargonizing — that’s my made-up word but you know exactly what it means — getting rid of jargon, government-speak, corporate-speak etc. I write for the man in the street.
Q. What types of writing DON’T you do?
A. I don’t do manuals, annual reports, tenders, business writing, resumes, stuff like that. Neither am I an expert on facebook or twitter. I tend to stick to what I do best – advertising, direct marketing, website content, articles and blogs etc.
Q. What other services do you offer?
A. As well as copywriting, I also offer a session. Basically, I can give you feedback on what you have now and how you could make it better.
Q. Do you do graphic design or actually build the website?
A.
I have studied graphic design so I can give you lots of great feedback and suggestions however I’m not a graphic designer or web builder. But if you check out my About Us page, you will find a list of other people who could help you.
Q. How much does a copywriter cost?
A. Most copywriters charge an hourly rate. Mine is $130 + gst. Adelaide writers’ rates tend to vary greatly between $80 and $220 an hour. But an hourly rate only helps you if you know how many hours your project will take! So always ask for a project price, or at least an estimate, not just an hourly rate.
Q. So why shouldn’t I use Elance?
A. You could, but you really do get what you pay for. Think about your target audience. If your customers are Aussies, and you want friendly, conversational copy that flows and is effortless to read, I can help.
Q. How do I know if Copy with Cream is right for me?
A. Good question! Because being a good writer is not enough. Whoever you choose needs to be on your wavelength. So, do some research online. Take a bit of time to have a look around my site, see if you like my writing style, check out my work, drop into my blog, read the testimonials. Then, if you like what you read, please give me a call. I’d be very happy to give you 10 minutes on the phone to help you work out if we are a good match.
Q. Can you give me a quote before we begin?
A. Yes. Some jobs I can give you a quote. For other jobs, like a website, I can give you a ball-park estimate.
Q. What if I don’t have much of a budget? Can you still help me?
A. Yes. I have completely restructured my business so that I can help small businesses in some way, no matter how small their budget. If you can’t afford me to rewrite your copy, I could still help you with a session or my e-book.
Q. When I contact you, what do I need to tell you?
A. If you have a particular project in mind, the 3 things I will ask you about will be the details, the timeline and your budget.
Q. Can I book a job in ahead of time?
A. Yes, great idea. Some months of the year get a bit crazy-busy so booking ahead means I can fit your project into my work schedule.
Q. When do I pay?
A.
Small projects (under $500) are paid upfront. On larger projects, 50% of the fee is paid up front to book in your project, with the balance to be paid 7 days after completion. If your project is long-term, monthly invoices will be issued. Brainstorming sessions are also pre-paid in full.
Q. What if I only have some really basic stuff and it’s rubbish?
A. This is exactly what most of my clients worry about. It really doesn’t matter whether you have a blank piece of paper, some basic scribbles or a finished website — wherever you are is fine. I pride myself in being very flexible and finding the best way to work with each of my clients.
