| How much do you charge?
It depends on the project, the length of the document(s), and the work involved, for instance writing versus editing. If you regularly purchase writing services, you'll find that my rates are competitive and that I will help you to stay on budget. If you don't often work with external writers, I'll explain how we charge and why my rates are what they are.
Do you do all the writing?
Yes. When the project calls for them, I'll bring in a graphic designer or desktop publishing pro. On rare occasions, I'll bring in a research assistant. But I personally do all of the writing on the projects that I'm hired to write, rewrite, and edit.
Why would I need a professional writer?
Being good communicators, many consultants, professionals, and executives write well. But few write to publication standards. Professionals know techniques that "good writers" don't, which enables them to structure sentences, paragraphs, and documents that accomplish very specific (and usually multiple) goals. A professional business writer should have experience that adds value beyond "wordsmithing," as well as superb research, interviewing, and collaborative skills. Not every document requires a professional writer, but marketing and sales literature always does, and material for publication — or which clients are paying hundreds of dollars (or more) for — usually does.
What if I don't like what you've written?
Then I rewrite it so that it meets with your approval. In my experience writing style is rarely an issue, because business documents written to publication standards must be clear and engaging, and either they are or they aren't. Some adjustments in content and word choice are typically necessary, and readily accomplished. Some rewriting is simply part of the process.
What's your approach to our confidential business information?
I hold everything a client says or provides to me in complete confidence. As a collaborator working with others' information throughout my writing career — and as a business person — I am extremely sensitive to this issue. I hold others' ideas in confidence, along with all information related to their business, clients, plans, finances, personnel, and policies. (Also, any terminology or intellectual property I develop for you is completely yours.) I can, of course, provide a solid nondisclosure agreement or will sign any reasonable one a client provides, but I stand on my record and references.
How long does it take to turn a project around?
It depends on the project and its length. Most editors think in terms of word count, with short pieces running from 500 to 1,500 words, intermediate pieces at 1,500 to 3,000 words, and long pieces above that. As you would imagine, the longer the piece the longer it will usually take. Most documents can be perfected in three drafts and a final polish. But after the piece is written, it must be laid out, perhaps printed, and then distributed online, in hardcopy, or both. Usually the writing takes two to four weeks. But longer projects, such as books, can take months. Of course, rush projects must often be done in a few days.
What do you mean by editorial process?
That's the process by which a team produces written material in publishable form. The team typically includes an editor, one or more authors or subject matter experts, a professional writer, a reviewer or two, a proofreader, and a graphics or desktop publishing pro. Those people, like all people, work and collaborate best within a process comprising defined roles, agreed-upon tasks and timeframes, and, usually, style guidelines. I can work with an existing process or plan or create one for the project (or for your firm).
Why do you work so often with consulting and professional firms?
Because they succeed or fail on the basis of their ideas, processes, analyses, and written deliverables. They must not only establish credibility and need in their marketing and sales material, but must also develop and package their expertise in ways that solve clients' problems. I have a record of helping those businesses do that.
Should I think about getting a book published?
Maybe. A book can establish credibility or anchor a public relations program. But it's not always the best tool for a given firm or goal. Also, many experts and firms try to write a book before getting the experience and expertise needed to make it a success. However, when you're ready the right book will help you promote your business more effectively and efficiently than almost any other vehicle.
What's with your contentbizbooks.com address?
When I started up in 1996, the URLs "contentpublishingservices" and "contentpublishing" and variants were taken, so I chose this one. This URL reflects my initial focus on business books, but I quickly found that many clients wanted whitepapers, articles, Web-based material, and other non-book pieces. So, to accommodate them and to develop relationships, I took on those projects and they soon became half of my business.
Do you have any employment or freelance job opportunities?
Not at this time. I currently have enough existing relationships with researchers and designers to meet my clients' needs.
Why should I contact you?
Four reasons:
First, I have a long, proven record of delivering documents to clients' specs, on time, within budget, and without drama.
Second, my MBA and broad business experience in large and small companies enables me to work with all levels of management — and to understand target audiences — across a wide a range of disciplines and industries.
Third, it costs nothing but your time to discuss a project, and I value your time. I won't accept your project if I cannot add value that's at least commensurate with my fee.
Fourth, in this economic and business environment you might consider shuffling the deck. Ask yourself:
• Have I thought deeply about how we can help our clients in this tough environment?
• Have we improved and updated our messages and offerings recently?
• Are these updated messages unique to us, and do they address real needs?
• Are we developing our best ideas into strong sales messages and useful content?
• Do our materials and Website meet professional publication standards?
If you answered "No" to one or more of these questions, there's yet another reason to contact me.
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