Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re thinking of hiring a freelance copywriter or content writer, you probably have some questions. Trusting someone to accurately get your message out there and promote your brand can be challenging. I get that. You take pride in your business, and you want to make sure it’s marketed properly with great copy that shows your audience why they should do business with you. I’ll work with you to make sure the right message gets out there. 

Below, I’ve answered some of the most common questions that I’ve encountered from my clients. Feel free to contact me with any other questions you may have.

How does your process work?

• Free Consultation — We’ll start by discussing your project so I can get to know more about your business and your needs. I’ll ask you questions about your project, such as your goals and intended message, your brand voice, and your target audience. This quick Zoom call will help us determine if we are a good fit to work together, and it will give me the information I need to provide you with a proposal.
• Proposal, Agreement, and Initial Payment — Once you have approved my proposal, I will provide you with a contract outlining the expectations, pricing, timeline, and other terms of our agreement, along with an invoice for the first 50% of the cost of your project. You’ll sign this contract and return it to me, along with your initial payment.
• Kick-Off Call and Creative Brief — We’ll then schedule a more lengthy Zoom kick-off call to discuss your project in greater detail, and you can share any background information about your business that I would need to know to achieve the best outcome for you. I’ll use this information to write a creative brief that outlines the project.
• The Fun Part Begins! — Once you have approved the creative brief, I’ll get to work on your project while you sit back, relax, or handle other important matters that require your attention. If I’m working with a designer, we will collaborate throughout this process to make sure the copy and design elements work together.
• Edits and Final Approval — You’ll review the copy and let me know if you have any changes. I’ll edit the copy, and you’ll approve the final copy. I provide up to two rounds of revisions at no additional charge.
• Your Project is Completed! — After you approve the copy, I’ll deliver the finished project to you (typically via Google Docs), along with a final invoice, and you will pay the remaining amount due. When your project has been paid-in-full, you will own the rights to the copy to use in any way you see fit.

What are your rates?

My rates vary according to the specific requirements of each project. In determining my rates, I consider several factors, including the type and complexity of the project, the amount of time it will require, the amount of research needed, my experience and skills, and the value the project will bring to your business. After our initial call, I’ll have enough information to prepare a quote for you.

What is your turnaround time?

My turnaround time varies according to each project. Factors that influence turnaround time include the type of project and how long it takes to schedule the kick-off call, write and approve a creative brief, receive a signed contract and initial payment, write the copy or content, receive your feedback, and make revisions.

Why should I hire you as my copywriter?

• I’ve been freelancing for more than five years, and I have about nine additional years of previous experience in marketing and public relations, so I understand how to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences. 
• I have experience writing a variety of projects, including website copy, emails, ads, brochures, newsletters, research reports, press releases, and more.
  
• I’m knowledgeable and committed to ongoing learning in my field so I can deliver the best results for my clients. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications with a double major in English. I also learned copywriting skills through the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy, and I completed HubSpot’s content marketing and email marketing certification courses. 
• Integrity is essential in my business. Any confidential information you share with me about your business stays with me. I also only write original work using reputable sources, and I don’t plagiarize or use AI to do my writing. 
• I stick to my deadlines. Unless there is a natural disaster, serious illness, or other event that is out of my control, I’ll deliver high-quality work to you according to our agreed-upon schedule for your project.

Do you hire other writers?

No, I do not hire other writers. When you hire me to work on your project, I’m the one doing the writing. If I ever decide to outsource projects to other writers in the future, I’ll be sure that my clients are aware of this.

Will you post content on my website?

I am many things, but a website developer is not one of them. I specialize in creating copy that will knock your proverbial socks off, but if you need someone to manage your website updates, I would be happy to put you in touch with someone who can help you.

Will you use AI to write my copy or content?

No, I do not use AI to write anything. I often use Grammarly to catch spelling and punctuation errors, although I don’t rely on it completely because it isn’t always accurate. Technically, this is an AI product. I may also use AI tools to brainstorm a topic or find a list of potential reputable sources for further investigation on a particular subject. This is the extent of my use of AI technology, and when you work with me, you can be sure that you are receiving original work every time. Here is why: 

While AI can be useful in many cases, and it may provide a fast way to write content, it lacks an emotional connection with your audience and in-depth knowledge about your business, target audience, brand voice, and competitors. In addition, there have been problems with the accuracy of AI-generated content. As a professional copywriter, I’ll take the time to learn as much as I can about your business so I’ll have a solid understanding of your products or services and other factors, so I can create the best original work possible.

If this isn’t reason enough to not use AI to write your copy and content, here are a few other things you might want to know:

• A recent study by Neil Patel, a well-known, international marketing guru, found that human-generated content received 5.44 times more traffic than content generated by AI, and human-generated content outranked AI content in searches 94.12% of the time.
• A recent survey by HubSpot also found that 50% of professionals surveyed have found incorrect information in AI-generated content.
• Google’s 2024 Core Update includes changes in its search function to reduce the appearance of unoriginal and low-quality content in Google search results.

Do you do free test projects?

No, I don’t work for free. My portfolio provides an overview of my experience reflected through a few samples of my previous projects. If you want to see additional samples, just ask. I’ll happily send you some. Many writers I know (this writer included) have been asked to complete “unpaid test projects,” and I’m not sure why anyone would think it’s acceptable or ethical to ask a service provider to work for free. I have never heard of an accountant doing taxes for free or a landscaper trimming hedges for free. As any professional service provider should, I only take on paid projects. If you’re wary about investing in a large project, I suggest starting with something smaller so you can get a better feel for how well we work together.

Can you take on urgent projects with short notice?

This depends on what I have on my schedule at the time. If I have time available, I’ll do my best to accommodate you, but I always give priority to clients who already have projects on my schedule. If your project is truly urgent and I’m able to fit you in outside of my regular working hours, I would charge a 25% rush fee in addition to the cost of the project.

How can I become a copywriter?

Copywriting is very different from other types of writing. To be an effective copywriter, you need specialized knowledge and skills in persuasive writing, psychology, human behavior, and marketing. If you’re interested in learning more about copywriting, I suggest you start by reading The Copywriter’s Handbook by Robert W. Bly. If you decide to take the next step, a professional training course can help prepare you for a successful copywriting career. I wrote a review on the Comprehensive Copywriting Academy, which is the training program I completed. Please check it out for more information.