Project Phases and My Writing Process
First Contact
When you first contact me, we will learn a little about each other—your organization, your copywriting needs, your customer base—and any questions you might have for me.
First Steps After Contact:The DISCOVERY process
Research: What I Do and How
My research is comprehensive and will include:
Writing and Collaboration
When I feel I have thoroughly researched, I will begin to write. But as we are working on the project together, I want to communicate with you through each step of the writing process.
Project Phases and **Payment Schedule
When you first contact me, we will learn a little about each other—your organization, your copywriting needs, your customer base—and any questions you might have for me.
First Steps After Contact:The DISCOVERY process
- If we both feel I am a good candidate for your project, I will send a comprehensive discovery questionnaire for you to complete, which will help both of us better define the project and its goals.
- Next, I will review your responses, ask clarification questions as necessary, and develop a proposed agreement which I will email you to review. The Agreement will include: project description listing all expected deliverables, total price, and terms of payment**.
- After we have entered a signed agreement, I will conduct some initial research to gather more information and begin developing some ideas, and a project roadmap to present (this will outline deliverables and deadlines for submission and review/feedback from you). I will send you a copy of the roadmap to review.
- We will then meet by phone or Skype for a “Launch Call” to discuss the roadmap, initial ideas, and any other information pertinent to the project. (20-30 minutes)
Research: What I Do and How
My research is comprehensive and will include:
- Researching key words and key phrases for your industry/product/services so that all writing done that will appear online will be optimized for search engines (SEO)
- Reviewing your web site and any product materials you provide, to learn about your organization, and your organization’s ‘voice’
- Studying any prospect demographic data you are able to provide (age, income level, gender, values, where and how they live, etc)
- Interviewing satisfied customers
- Reading and gathering testimonials from existing clients
- Studying your biggest competitors
- Interviewing key people in your organization about your organization and the product or service being promoted
- Researching components of your product, process, or service to understand “how”
- Using the product myself (if applicable)
Writing and Collaboration
When I feel I have thoroughly researched, I will begin to write. But as we are working on the project together, I want to communicate with you through each step of the writing process.
- I will first develop one or more ideas to present as the “BIG IDEA”—the main message you need to present to most effectively move your audience.
- Second, I will develop main points that support the big idea.
- Next, I will ask you to provide feedback on one or more big ideas and main points.
- With your approval on a direction, I will then write the first draft of the copy
- Because we all identify strongest with stories, wherever possible, I will use real-life stories that portray the vision you want to communicate
Project Phases and **Payment Schedule
- Phase I--Getting Started- The first payment (50% of the project total) will be due at the time the Project Roadmap has been finalized. Work will begin upon receipt of the Phase I payment.
- Phase I I--First draft - Phase II of the project will include in-depth research and writing, developing polished “first drafts” of all deliverables. When a polished first draft is submitted, the second payment (25% of the project total) will be due.
- Phase III- Revisions and Finalizing the Work- I want you to be completely satisfied with your investment! Phase III of the project will include (1) a thorough vetting of the project drafts through key officials in your organization, (2) a phone or Skype meeting to go over needed revisions, (3) re-write and resubmit for vetting (I expect at least one revision, but will accommodate up to two cycles of steps 1-3 in Phase III). The final payment (last 25% of the project total) will be due when all work has been reviewed and accepted as final.
Follow-Up
After the completed project has been accepted, I provide my clients with a complimentary consultation during which we will go over the initial Discovery Questionnaire to discuss the project process: what was done, what went well, where can improvements be made, etc.
If your project is yet to be released, and is nearing the artwork finalization, I will review the layouts and graphics and offer honest feedback on the proposed flow of the content and value of any graphics added—do they help or hinder your message?
Other topics in the follow-up consultation might include new ideas to increase profitability, and if desired, further projects that I might handle to help you take steps toward meeting your organization’s goals.
Terms of Service
After the completed project has been accepted, I provide my clients with a complimentary consultation during which we will go over the initial Discovery Questionnaire to discuss the project process: what was done, what went well, where can improvements be made, etc.
If your project is yet to be released, and is nearing the artwork finalization, I will review the layouts and graphics and offer honest feedback on the proposed flow of the content and value of any graphics added—do they help or hinder your message?
Other topics in the follow-up consultation might include new ideas to increase profitability, and if desired, further projects that I might handle to help you take steps toward meeting your organization’s goals.
Terms of Service
- A signed agreement is required for all jobs.
- Fees will be invoiced, and are payable at the end of each of 3 phases: 50% at the end of the Project Roadmap phase, 25% upon submission of first drafts, 25% following revisions and finalization.
- Both parties will agree to abide by deadlines as outlined in the Roadmap for feedback and deliverables. Should the client miss a feedback deadline, the writer’s deadlines will be pushed back accordingly.
- In Phase III, two review and revision cycles will be accommodated per the original agreement. If the project description changes mid-contract, charges will apply for re-writes to accommodate the new specifications.