FAQ:
1) How much do you charge?2) What clients have you worked with?
3) Are you a technical writer?
4) Do you do ghost work?
5) Do you have any testimonials?
6) What is your turnaround time?
7) Who did your website?
8) How far ahead do I need to schedule my project?
9) How do I get Sharpe?
How much do you charge? See What I Charge to find out about my pricing. Or, to find out how much your job would cost, click Get a Quote.
What clients have you worked with? All kinds and all sizes. I don’t have room to list them all: Dell, 3M, Frito-Lay, Tracor, Seton Hospitals, Fisher-Rosemont, Peterbilt Trucks, Chrysler Technologies, Austin Children’s Hospital, Westec Security, Westinghouse, Century-21, and many more. Those are the big guys. Of course, I’ve also written for many small businesses as well. Check out my logo collection on my webpage, Clients.
Are you a technical writer? I’ve written about a variety of technologies, but if you want geekspeak, that’s probably not me. What I’m good at is getting to the nut of a technical project and translating it into consumer terms. Plain talk doesn’t mean dumbing things down; it means putting a subject in the prospect’s native tongue. Whether the subject is chocolate chips or computer chips, clarity is the first order of business.
Do you do ghost work? If you mean writing a speech or an article for someone else’s byline, the answer is "You bet I do!" As long as you pay me, you can put any name you want to what I do for you.
Do you have any testimonials? I have the usual "great job!" testimonials that everyone in this business generates over the years, but what I really treasure are two compliments paid me years apart. Long ago, before Hollywood broke my heart, I wrote a screenplay that found its way to Alan King, then the godfather of stand-up comedy. He invited me to brunch at the Russian Tea Room in Manhattan. For a while he made nice with visitors to our table. Finally he lit a cigar, gave me back my script (all marked up) and said, "You’re funny, kid. Not as funny as me, but funny." It’s been a long time since anyone called me "kid," but a few years ago, my onetime boss and friend, Jerry Goodale, owner of Dark Horse Productions in Dallas, told me something equally nice: "In 25 years, you are the best copywriter I’ve ever worked with." Now, those are testimonials!
What is your turnaround time? That depends entirely on the size of the project, but it’s never taken me more than a week to produce copy even on big jobs. That said, the delay in a project often comes on the client’s end, especially if several people need to sign off on the copy. I can get you the first draft pretty quick, but I can’t start on a revision until I get the client’s response. For more on how the copywriting process works, see my web pages, Getting Started and Writing and Reviewing.
Over the years, I’ve had three different sites, each done by a different designer. The current site is the work of Will Alkin (will.alkin at gmail.com), whose own site is www.willalkin.com. Will has moved from Austin to Eugene, Oregon but like most of us, he does work all over. He’s quick, attentive and creative. Highly recommended. My previous site was the work of the gifted Hunter Cross, now lead designer at Ponticlaro, a slick and upscale web firm. My original design was done by my friend, Richard Otto, who has moved on to another line of work.
How far ahead do I need to schedule my project? Most people, even agencies, wait until the last minute to call a free-lancer. That means that I’m almost always booked for next week, but not necessarily for the week after. Call me three weeks ahead and I’ll cover you with roses!
How do I get Sharpe? Nothing easier. Just click Get a Quote. Or call me at 512-444-1979.
