Marketing and Copywriting Solutions Tailored To Your Small Business

Does a marketing consultant and writer have to be an expert in my business in order to help me?
No! What is much more important is an understanding of underlying marketing and copywriting principles and knowing how to apply those principles to your material.
My experience as a marketing consultant and writer has taught me how to quickly get to the heart of your business and target market. Then I know how to put the essence of your business into language that lets your potential clients know exactly why they need to talk to you.
It's like cooking from a recipe. Once you have all the ingredients, you just need to know some basic principles of cooking and be able to apply them precisely and correctly to turn out a mouth-watering dish. When we work together, you provide the ingredients and I apply the principles of marketing and writing to them.
How do you know what to write?
I interview you or I ask you to fill out a questionnaire. Either way, I get answers to questions about your business and the clients or customers you'd like to attract. I also review any material you might have already, as well as your competitors' material, if you provide that to me. That way I have all the information I need to target your materials to your ideal clients. I don't make anything up! Everything I write is based on information that comes from you or from my research.
What do you do with all the information you collect from me?
First, I use it to analyze your target market. That helps me to decide on the best way to get their attention and how to communicate the unique aspects of your business to them. Then I use it to write, rewrite and refine the copy. When I'm satisfied I e-mail a first draft to you for review.
How long does it take for you to write my material?
Ideally I like to have 10-15 business days to work on a project. This gives me time to polish and repolish it until it's perfect. However I know you can't always wait that long so just let me know if you have a shorter deadline. Once I agree to take on the job, I'll meet or beat your deadline.
Can you handle rush jobs?
That depends on my workload at the time. If you have an urgent job, give me a call and I'll see what I can do.
What geographic area do you cover?
Everywhere! I do most of my business by phone and e-mail so there are no geographical limitations. I have worked with clients from California to Scotland.
Do you come to my office?
Not usually. If you have a project where it is absolutely necessary to meet in person, that's not a problem. If I need to travel outside my local area (Santa Barbara, California), there's an extra fee for travel time, travel expenses and meeting time.
What if I want the copy revised?
No problem. Just let me know and I will make any changes. One revision is included in your project fee, as long as you request it within 15 days of receiving the copy and it is not based on changes made to the project after I submitted the copy to you.
What if I change my mind half way through?
That can happen. No problem...I revise our agreement and fees to match the new requirements and we continue from there.
What if I don't like the way the project is going?
Say "STOP!" We talk about the specifics of what's bothering you. I fix it and we continue. If I can't fix it, we agree to cancel the project according to the terms of our agreement and I'll recommend another writer to you to finish the project. (So far, I've never had to do that!)
What do you charge?
Fees are based either on an hourly rate or a project price. Every project is different. That's why I do a careful evaluation to come up with a fee that takes into account the specific requirements of your project.
Usually I will give you a range that your project is likely to fall into. If it's difficult to estimate, we work on an hourly rate.
A limited number of retainer accounts is available, where you pay an agreed-upon amount per month for a defined number of hours of my time. If you have ongoing needs, this allows you to have a fixed budget every month. Minimum three month commitment.
Do I pay more if the project takes longer than you had anticipated?
I stand by the fixed fee I quote to you, unless the direction or scope of the project changes. If our agreement is on an hourly basis, I give you my best estimate at the beginning of the project and keep you informed as we go along. It's all laid out in a written agreement between us.
Who designs my materials?
You choose a designer whose work you like. If you don't know anyone, I can refer you to professionals I know.
What's the deal with copyright?
Once all fees and expenses are paid, copyright transfers to you. That means you own the material and you can use it in any way you want as often as you want. I retain the right to use it as hard copy or in electronic form for marketing purposes. If you don't want me to use it in this way, just say so.
What else do you do besides write?
I do a few other things.
For a fixed fee, I review your materials and give you a written report on what I think needs to be done to make it better if anything (yours may be just perfect!)
If you're still not quite sure who your target market is, or you can't quite narrow down your focus, or it's not clear what makes you different from your competition, I consult with you on an hourly basis to make sure you have all these details in place BEFORE I begin to write so that your materials are clear and targeted.
If you don't have a clear marketing strategy or a marketing plan, I help with those also.
How can I put you to work for me?
Just give me a call at 805-965 9173. If you prefer to e-mail me, click on the e-mail link at the bottom of this page to send me details of your project. Please let me know what you're selling, who you're selling to and what kind of material you need e.g. brochure (what format?), website content (how many pages?), sales letter, postcard, press release, workbook, informational booklet, or something else that I haven't mentioned.
If your project is not yet clearly defined, let's talk anyway. I can help you get clear on what best suits your purpose.
I have a question you haven't answered here. What do I do?
Just email me or give me a call. I'm happy to fill in the gaps.
Who is most likely to benefit from working with you?
Here are some of the commonalities among my best clients.
They know when to delegate to an expert.
They recognize the value that an expert can contribute to their business.
They require high standards.
They know their business inside out and upside down.
They're willing to look at their business from a different angle.
They're willing to invest in their business for greater success.

If you relate to any of the above, chances are we'll work well together. Let's talk!