What can I expect from working with you?

You get a professional copywriter who brings to the table a passion for excellence. Someone with the right blend of experience and expertise, who pays attention to detail, and delivers on time. Someone who really cares about you and your business, and who will do everything possible to help you meet your goals and objectives. Someone who stands 100% behind his work, and who is not satisfied until you are satisfied.


What kind of results can I expect?

I work to provide content that will help you achieve your marketing goals – that is, writing well-written, highly effective, and compelling content that you can use to take your marketing to the next level.


Do you do the work yourself or outsource?

I don’t outsource. I do all the writing myself.

If anything else is required, e.g., graphic design or photography, I usually outsource. However, there are occasions when I handle basic photographic needs – and for considerably less cost than a professional photographer. Also, thanks to my broadcast background, I can do voice-over work for videos or special projects requiring recorded audio – and, again, at considerably less cost than professional voice talent.


Do you charge more for rush jobs?

Not always. If I believe I have enough time to complete a project, I will accept the project at the same rate I would charge under normal circumstances. For instance, I’ve taken on projects that normally would take a week and completed them in two or three days.

The exception to this would be if the project were exceptionally complex and required a considerable number of hours within a short period of time, or if I had too many other commitments to give your project adequate attention.

I have a tight deadline to meet. Can you start on my copywriting project right away?

I occasionally accept projects on short notice and turn them around with great results. However, I can’t promise that every time. It depends on what current projects I’m working on, what other commitments I have, and the scope and complexity of your project. I take great pains to meet client deadlines, so if I don’t believe I can deliver your project on time, then I will tell you upfront.


I work in a highly technical field or a field that is very involved. How are you going to understand enough about my work to write about it?

Throughout my career, I’ve taken on clients in fields I knew little or nothing about – such as agriculture, chemicals, banking, to name a few. But that never prevented me from gaining a good understanding of their business or industry. How I do that is by asking the experts in the company lot of the “right” questions, talking to sales people, reading trade journals, visiting industry forums, studying client marketing materials, and even studying the client’s competitors.  

If a certain amount of time is needed to get caught up to speed before I can produce valued content for the client – usually a couple of weeks or so – I don’t charge for that time spent learning.


We’re in different states. Can we still work together?

Absolutely! We may not be able to meet face-to-face, but we can communicate using email, phone, Skype, etc. In fact, most of my clients are either in another city or state.


How do I go about hiring you? Do I have to sign a contract? Do you ask for money upfront?

Initial contact can be either by phone or email. If, after talking to me, you decide that I am the right person for the job, then I will need to ask you some specific questions in order to prepare a proposal that outlines what I will do for you, the results you can expect, and my fees.

I don’t require a contract, per se. However, I will lay out parameters of the project in my proposal. Your signed approval of my proposal will function as a contract.

Projects for new clients require a 50% deposit upfront with the balance due two weeks after the first draft is submitted. For your convenience, I accept bank transfers, PayPal, and company checks.


What happens if I have to cancel or postpone my project?

Should a project be canceled, postponed, or otherwise put on hold for any reason, I would invoice you a reasonable fee for work completed to date.


Do you charge an hourly rate or by the project?

I prefer to charge by the project. This generally works to a client’s advantage. For example, if I need to do extensive research or interview several subject matter experts within or even outside the company to gain a good understanding of a product or process, I don’t have to worry about the time I’m taking to complete the project. I can do the job thoroughly and completely without fear that I’m taking too long. I’m a bit of a perfectionist and don’t mind working long hours if it will produce the desired results for the client.

However, if the client prefers I work on an hourly basis, I can do that.


Will you sign an NDA?

Yes, I will sign a client-provided Non-Disclosure Agreement.


Do you work with competing companies at the same time?

I do not work with competitors of current clients.


Who owns the content once you create it? Do you publish our content under your name?

Once you pay for a project, you own it and retain the copyright. I do not publish nor use material under my own name that I’ve written for clients.


What do you need from us to get started on a project?

In-depth information about your company, your target audience, features and benefits of your products and services, competitors, and specific goals and objectives for each project. I gather this information through marketing materials and other documents you provide me, from talking to you and others in the company you designate, sales people, and “experts” on specific products or services. Typically, I develop a comprehensive questionnaire that helps me address all these areas so I can gain a thorough knowledge and understanding of your products/services and what you specifically want to accomplish.



How do you handle revisions?

If revisions are required (up to three), then I make them at no charge. However, if a client wants to make revisions beyond three or that go beyond the scope of the project and require additional work, then we’ll sit down and re-negotiate the fee.


Do you have experience working with printers or other vendors?

Yes. So if you wanted me to produce a marketing brochure, for instance, I could work directly with your printer, designer, photographer, or mail house to see the project to completion. Or, if you don’t have vendors in these areas, I have access to a reliable network of suppliers.


What is the best way to reach you?

You can reach me by email ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) or phone – 210-561-7772 or 210-592-33ll.

I’m always happy to answer any questions you might have, so please feel free to email or phone me. You are never under any obligation or pressure when we talk. Also, I take privacy very seriously, and will guard your email address or phone number as I guard my own.

Best regards,

Joe