FAQ – Get answers to burning questions – or…just learn more about me

Got questions about my freelance content writing services? Questions about SEO? Questions about my skills. Look for the answer to your burning questions and more on this page. And if your question isn’t answered here, contact me here, and I’ll get you the answer.

Q. I’m looking for a freelance content writer, but you live near Raleigh, NC and I live in Dubai. Can you still work on my project?

A. Definitely. As long as you want someone who speaks English. In fact, 95% of all my freelance content writing clients are more than 100 miles away from me. Some are even in Dubai. That’s the power of the internet. And while some have been referred to me, many have found my site thanks to a Google search. See what a content copywriter who knows SEO can do for you? It gets you found.

Q. I live near you and want to find out more about your services. Can we meet?

A. No. Well, ok…maybe. Here’s the thing. It’s very rare that I conduct face-to-face meetings – even with local businesses looking for copywriting services. And, although this might not be the case with you, I find that local people who want to meet with me usually want to pick my brain and have little to no intention of choosing me to work on a project.

Q. Do you need money in advance of starting a freelance content writing project?

A. I typically require 50% of the estimated project fee up front. The remainder can be paid upon submission of the final draft. Keep in mind that the 50% you give me up front may end up being only 40% of the project if the scope of the work changes. Also – if I’m working with you on hourly project rate, I have a maximum allowable ‘run up’ amount of $1,000. That means that as soon as your tab reaches $1.000 I send an invoice. This helps me keep paying my bills and allows you to avoid sticker shock at the end of the project.

Q. I’m with an advertising agency and we never pay for a project until we’re 100% satisfied with a copywriter’s work. Will you take payment after the project is completed to our satisfaction?

A. It depends. Contact me and we’ll talk about it.

Q. Where did you learn to write content for websites, online articles and press releases?

A. I was fortunate to have very good teachers in college while studying public relations. While the PR field doesn’t always leave a lot of room for creativity, my time in college gave me a great foundation for the skills I have today. However, words like SEO, Social Media Press Releases, RSS and Twitter were either new or not even invented. Everything I know about modern-day content/copywriting I learned by being a part of the ‘conversation.’ Keeping my eyes and ears open for the leaders and turning their overpriced guru services into something just for you.

Q. I already have some copy that I’ve written for a project. I really like it, too. Can you use it?

A. I can use it, but please don’t expect to recognize it when I’m done with it. I find the many people who come to me with their own content or copy write in the third-person with big words that make them feel important. In essence, I find that people are writing to themselves when they should be writing to their audiences. So what I do is take that copy, find your message and ‘translate’ it into messages your customers need to hear in order to buy from you.

Q. I sell _________________ <—insert product name/service. How can you write content for my product or service if you’ve never even seen my product or used my services?

A. Besides having skills as a freelance content writer, I also happen to be a fast learner. Part of my services to you include all the research I need to in order to write intelligently about your product, your customers and your offer.

Q. Does your online portfolio contain ALL of your work?

A. No. There are thousands of ads, press releases, websites and more that I’ve written, edited, reviewed and proofread that aren’t in my portfolio.

Q. I’ve found someone who will write my content for much cheaper than you quoted me. Can you match their price?

A. There’s always someone out there who can and will write your content for less. It’s been my experience that the less you pay for content, the greater the risk for poorer quality work. In fact, I’ve had clients come to me with articles from someone they paid $8 an hour to write only to pay me many times that to make the articles right. And for $8 an hour, you’re likely to hire someone from a foreign country whose English skills are questionable and their work might turn off your readers.

Q. Why don’t you work at an agency?

A. I’ve spent time at agencies and I’ve learned that agency life isn’t for everyone…including me. I’ve worked at agencies that used press release templates and had writer like me change company names, spokesperson names and call the result a new release that they’d charge clients way too much money for. Plus, I try not to take on too much work so you’ll always get my full attention.

Q. Will you sign the non-disclosure agreement my lawyer write for me?

A. Sure, provided you get me enough details about the project to make an informed decision about whether or not to take on the project. I understand that as a copywriter, I could be given information that would make life miserable for you if it fell into the wrong hands. So non-disclosure/confidentiality agreements are no big deal. Now, employment agreements – those I don’t do.

Q. Do you do graphic design?

A. No, but I can give you creative direction and even help you find a great freelance designer who is part of my creative partners group.

Q. I’m a copywriter looking for work, are you hiring?

A. No, but these people certainly are.