Frequently Asked Questions

I’m still not quite sure what a copywriter can do for my business. 

A copywriter helps your business reach your target audience, build your brand and increase your sales through all forms of written communication. 

Whether you need quality website content, sales brochures, newsletters, press releases, procedure manuals, editing, proofreading, or any other means of written communication, a professional copywriter can help you get your message across.

What experience do you have as a copywriter?

I started proofing and writing in-house copy for a graphic design agency in 1996. I’ve written newsletters and sales material for many companies I’ve since worked for and in 2005 set out as a freelance copywriter. 

Copywriting projects have included writing content for websites, brochures, editing and co-contributing to a book, email campaigns, and many others. 

My clients have been quite varied, including hotels, furniture makers, land developers, sign writers, fencing contractors… and many more.

You can read my profile to learn more about who I am and what my background is.

Can you design my website or printed material?

I can’t do this personally (my specialty is copywriting), but I have an exclusive network of graphic designers, web designers, printers, production houses and other professional affiliates  I can recommend and refer you to. 

If you’re considering a new project involving any of these services, you’ll get the best results if you consider your copywriting needs from the start. By understanding the design elements of your project, I can ensure the copy is suited in length, content and structure. 

What do you charge?

Because each job is so different, I quote on a project-to-project basis, however I base my rates on a fee of $80p/h + GST. If I’m required fit in a rush job (which I prefer not to do, see “What if I need a rush job?”  ), there will be an additional 25% added to the project.

What is included in your copywriting fees?

Fees will include everything from research, writing the copy and revising the first draft prior to it being sent to you, understanding the final layout and design elements of the copy, subsequent revisions and alterations you may have (a maximum of two revisions are included free of charge in the initial quote) and any other expenses which may be incurred in the course of writing your copy.

Do you require a deposit?

Yes, a deposit of 50% of the quote is required prior to your project commencing, with the balance required once the final copy is finished and you’re completely happy with it.

How long does it take you to complete a copywriting project?

That's a little like asking “How long is a piece of string?” Each project has vastly different needs, so the amount of time to complete it will also vary. Usually even a small project will take at least few days to complete. 

I like to leave the initial draft for a minimum of 24 hours, so I can review it with “fresh eyes” and make any tweaks or corrections before I send it to you. You will also need to allow time to review the original copy and make any changes you feel necessary.

This review process is what ensures you get the best possible result, making it well worth the time.

Once you’ve completed the Project Brief, I’ll be able to give you a reasonable estimate on how long your job will take.

Who owns the copyright on the work you produce?

While I’m working on your project, I retain the copyright for all the work I do. Once you’ve made the final payment for the work, the copyright transfers to you in full. I simply ask that I can use the work in my portfolio to show other clients what projects I have been involved with. 

You have the right to deny that request, however, particularly if your project is confidential or involves sensitive material you may not wish others to see. 

Can I make changes to the copy you’ve written?

Of course you can! My job is to get your message across in a way that includes everything you need it to, while still appealing to your audience. It may take more than one attempt to achieve this, which is why I include two rounds of revisions to the draft copy at no charge. 

I’ll also send you a sample of the work before the first draft is completed to ensure the copy is written in the right “voice”. This can save a lot of unnecessary changes down the track and is in addition to your two complimentary revisions. 

What if I need a “rush job”?

Most professional copywriters don’t like to do “rush jobs”. Why? Because we value the integrity of our work and rushing through it doesn’t always allow for thorough research, the time it takes to write great copy, or being able to review the work with “fresh eyes”. 

We also have other clients who may have projects underway and deadlines in place, which don’t deserve to be pushed aside because of a last-minute project.

However, if you absolutely MUST have the job done urgently, you should contact me as soon as you possibly can with as much detail as possible. A Rush Fee of 25% will be applied on top of the full quote, and you will still be required to pay a 50% deposit – so please don’t expect to ring and have the job completed on the same day! 

Why should I use you instead of an agency or doing my own copywriting?

Even if you have great writing skills for day-to-day communication, you may not know how to research the best SEO keywords to use for your online communications, or how to write a persuasive “call to action”, or how to craft headlines which demand your reader’s attention.

Or it may be that you simply lack the time to write great copy. After all, unless you’re already a copywriter, you’ll have other work to complete and deadlines demanding your attention.

As a professional copywriter, I have the time and resources to dedicate exclusively to your project. As a freelancer, I also have far less overheads than an agency. I don’t have to pay for expensive office space, staff wages and amenities, or a dozen other things that an agency builds into their costs. As a result, I can charge much less than an agency, but still deliver a quality job, on time and on budget.

If you don’t have experience in my industry how can you write about it?

A good copywriter should be able to write for pretty much any industry. The trick is being thorough with both the project brief and the research. 

I will ask you for as much detail and supporting information as you can give me about your industry, your target audience, your main competition and what you’re trying to communicate, before I sit down to write even a single word of copy.

This ensures I’m familiar with the language your industry uses, the mind-set of your audience, and the unique aspects your business has to offer, ensuring the final copy hits all the right notes.

Do you offer a guarantee?

I can guarantee I will work with you until you’re completely satisfied with your copy. 

What about my privacy?

The confidentiality of my client’s material is of utmost importance to me, which is why I will never share details of a project without your express permission. In the unlikely event I’m required to involve anyone else on the project, I will inform you of this and seek your prior consent. 

Where are you located?

I have a fully functioning home office based in the Adelaide Hills, SA, where I’ve worked on projects all around Australia and overseas.  My location doesn’t affect who I work with or what projects I take on, however, clients are always welcome to visit me at my office if they happen to be in the area.

I want to hire you. What happens next?

The first step would be for you to complete a Project Brief. This is a detailed list of questions which lets me know exactly what you need to achieve, what your time-frame is, who your target audience is, what your industry is, etc. This gives me the information I need to give you a detailed quote.

On acceptance of the quote, you’ll need to sign a Project Authorisation and the Conditions of Contract prior to the project commencing. This eliminates any confusion or misunderstanding about our mutual obligations and ensures we’re both happy campers!