Frequently Asked Questions...

Welcome to my Frequently Asked Questions page.  Just click on the text below to jump right to the question (and my answer).

• Why do I need to hire a copywriter?

• Hey, how do I copyright my fantastic idea (or song, or story, or...)?

• How do I know you'll understand my particular business?

• Will you keep information about my project and my personal data confidential?

• What if it isn't quite right the first time?  Do you charge for revisions?

• So how long does this whole copywriting thing take, anyway?

• What exactly is a copywriter?

• How much are your fees?

• How can I pay you for your services?

• Do you charge sales tax and  why?

• If you write a web page for me, exactly how long is one page?

• How am I going to get my business off the ground when you cost so much?

• Couldn't you do something really cheap for me, just to try out your services?

• Can we exchange links?

• I need a graphic designer, too.  Can you help?

• When you turn in my copy, will there be typos?

• Can you give me a few tips on becoming a copywriter?

• Hey, I'm a little unsure about all this.  Are you pretty easy to work with?

• Just curious, but where are you located and what time zone are you in?

• Can I get a refund on my copy if I decide that I'm not going to finish the project?

• If I have files that are too large to send to you by email, can you help?

• If we're working on a project together, and I add material, is that considered a revision?

Why do I need to hire a copywriter?

If you're trying to sell your products or services to business, industry, professionals, or through direct response mailings the odds are pretty good that you'll need a copywriter.  More importantly, you need one who can create persuasive, high-impact copy that sells.  You've invested a lot in your company...don't sabotage your marketing efforts with weak and ineffective copy!  Back to top...

Hey, how do I copyright my fantastic idea (or song, or story, or...)?

You're thinking of copyright, not copywriting.  Copyright refers to the legal rights of an author, composer, playwright, publisher, or distributor over the work they own.  Usually such work is artistic in nature.  You may also be thinking of trademarks or patents for products or services.  Either way, that's not what I do.  I create powerful, persuasive ad copy for companies both large and small.  You can find more information on U.S. Copyright law by visiting the U.S. Copyright Office web site.  Back to top...

How do I know you'll understand my particular business?

In addition to being a recognized direct response copywriter, I am also a former newspaper reporter as well as a published fiction and non-fiction author, a proven Art Director, and an Editor.  If that weren't enough, I've also written highly-effective copy for a vast number of different industries.  If I haven't created copy for your particular business or industry it's a pretty good bet that I've written for one that's similar.  My varied experience as a writer, journalist, traveler, business owner, and consultant ensures that I can discuss your business on your terms and provide solutions that deliver...guaranteed!  Back to top...

Will you keep information about my project and my personal data confidential?

Absolutely!  I'm a firm believer in client privacy and strive to ensure your confidentiality by adhering to a strict Privacy Policy.  In addition, each client I work with receives a signed and dated Agreement Not To Disclose upon request. I never share my client information with anyone, anytime.  Period.  Back to top...

What if it isn't quite right the first time?  Do you charge for revisions?

My revision policy is easy:  I'll make any necessary revisions for thirty-days at no additional charge, provided the changes are submitted to me before the final copy has been accepted.  Any changes after the final copy has been accepted, or after thirty days, will be charged a nominal fee based on a percentage of the original project fee.  Back to top...

So how long does this whole copywriting thing take, anyway?

Optimally, I prefer to have two to four weeks to complete your copy and go through the revision cycle with you.  However, I realize that a project must often be completed quickly.  That's no problem!  I don't charge anything extra for "rush" jobs.  If I accept your project, I work hard to make sure the copy is on your desk (or in your Inbox) on or before the promised delivery date.  Back to top...

What exactly is a copywriter?

A copywriter is both artist and scientist, salesman and consumer.  Simply put, a copywriter creates persuasive, highly-effective marketing copy for brochures, ads, radios spots, sales letters and much, much more.  But there's more to being a good copywriter than just writing.  The very best in the business combine the skills of an artist (writing), with the abilities of a scientist (logic and analysis) to create marketing materials that appeal to a targeted audience.  Great copy should work as a great sales tool and compel your target market to BUY.  Back to top...

How much are your fees?

Generally speaking, my fees are charged on a per-project basis.  I do not charge by the hour for most copywriting projects.  You can review a representative schedule of fees here.  Please note that all projects are 50% in advance, in two stages.  This is explained in greater detail on my How I Work page.  Back to top...

How can I pay you for your services?

The most common method my clients use to pay me is credit or debit card through PayPal.   In extremely rare instances I do accept business checks.  However,  payments made in this manner can only be accepted via next-day (or in some cases, 2nd day) service.  The reason for this is simple: my schedule is carefully balanced to allow me to accommodate my clients while still providing the highest level of quality and service in the industry. When I accept a project, I'm turning down another one. If a check is misplaced or lost on the way to my office, and the client decides replacing it is too much trouble and declines to complete the project, I've suddenly lost a significant chunk of the weekly revenue I use to support my family.  So, to recap:  yes, I'll accept a business check--but only if it's sent next or second-day service.  Back to top...

Do you charge sales tax and why?

Yes, I charge (and pay) the current 9.25% Los Angeles County sales tax on each project I accept.  After spending an inordinate amount of time on paperwork for clients who requested DVDs or CDs containing their projects, I made the decision to charge (and pay) sales tax on every transaction.  In the end, this saves me time and energy, allowing me to spend more time writing and less time on accounting.  This means I can charge my clients (that's you) less for my services, which actually saves you money.  Back to top...

If you write a web page for me, exactly how long is one page?

Typically, a single web page is 160 to 175 words.  However, this doesn't mean that if your page calls for 350 words that I won't write the appropriate amount of copy.  All it means is that I charge a two-page rate, or 160 x 2, for that particular web page.  Quite often, the client actually does better in these situations, since the total word count frequently exceeds my typical two-page word count.  I consider myself a value-added copywriter and this is a good--albeit undramatic--example of me providing "more than you paid for" service.  Back to top...

How am I going to get my business off the ground when you cost so much?

First things first:  My copywriting rates are extremely competitive and very reasonable, and have remained in the same range for over ten years.  But I'll be blunt:  if you can't afford to spend a reasonable amount of money on your marketing, no matter whom you choose to hire, then you probably shouldn't start a business.  Under-capitalization (along with poor planning) are two of the main reasons why more than 75% of new businesses fail in their first year.  Keep your day job; save your money.  Or, get a small business loan, borrow from relatives, whatever it takes.  But first and foremost, write a business plan.  Your plan could very well be the difference between success and failure for your company.  Ditto for the marketing plan.  But again, that should come after the business plan.  Back to top...

Couldn't you do something really cheap for me, just to try out your services?

Probably not.  If your business is extremely unique, if I'm in the mood or I just like you, or the sun is shining on the day I hear from you, I might consider it.  Let me emphasize: might.  I've learned one thing in life, and that is that you never know about anything...until you ask!  So try me, you never know what I'll say.  People have been good to me, and I like to return the favor when it can be done in a manner which is prudent for everyone involved.  Back to top...

Can we exchange links?

Maybe.  I have in the past participated in both link exchanges and barter programs whenever my schedule permits and it is financially feasible for me to do so.  Send me your link; I'll review the site and let you know as soon as a I have a free moment.  Back to top...

I need a graphic designer, too.  Can you help?

Yes.  I am not a graphic designer, but I work closely with a network of print and web site artists and designers, and have provided referrals for many clients.  In the near future, I will be re-launching my partner site, ExpertWebBuilder.com to provide affordable, high-tech web design and hosting for companies of all sizes.  Back to top...

When you turn in my copy, will there be typos?

Yes and no.  In the initial drafts, you'll probably see a few typos.  This is nothing to panic about.  A draft is raw copy intended to get your feedback and/or approval before the final draft is completed.  If the final copy includes typos, then that is something to be concerned about, since many people take the final draft copy and post it directly into QuarkXPress and Photoshop documents and on web pages.  While typos do appear in final copy on occasion, it is rare since the copy is line-edited before it is submitted to the client.  Back to top...

Can you give me a few tips on becoming a successful copywriter?

I probably could, but opinions on this subject vary wildly and throwing my two cents into the ring probably won't help you one way or the other.  My best advice is to buy as many books by copywriting expert Robert W. Bly as you can.  You can click here to buy most of Bob's copywriting and marketing books at Amazon.com.  If you're serious about becoming a copywriter, it's the best investment you can make. Back to top...