Frequently Asked Questions
Could you please explain the process behind your copywriting in further detail?
As a freelance copywriter, I start all of my customer relationships with an initial email consultation during which time we discuss your copywriting needs, goals, and timeframes. (Please refer to the Copywriting Questionnaire)
When you submit this copywriting proposal I will draw up a project brief or ’statement-of-work’ outlining what was discussed, after which I’ll include an estimate for freelance copywriting fees. If you decide you would like to work alongside me, I will email you a Letter of Contract / Agreement (see below) which confirms our business relationship and agreement between both parties.
Once you’ve returned this to me by email, the project can begin. This email will represent a legal and binding agreement between both parties and will represent our contract. I will then ask you to provide as much background material information as possible which I will use as the foundation for my copywriting. This includes (but is not limited to) brochures, flyers, marketing e-mails, reports, case studies, web content, or any other kinds of company or business information. My copywriting career to date as a freelance copywriter / copysmith has taught me that comprehensive prior knowledge is the key to writing effective copy!
Once I have provided you with the first copywriting draft, I will ask that you thoroughly look over it and organize your comments, questions and revisions for further discussion. You must expect that your copy will need some revisions. The task of writing copy is essentially a collaborative partnership process. Open communication is absolutely crucial if I am to perform successfully and to your expectations as your freelance copywriter.
I have a tight deadline to meet. Can you start on my copywriting project instantly?
Not always no unfortunately. It will always depend on my present case load of projects - invariably any copywriter worth their salt, including myself are juggling a few projects at the same time, all with different deadlines to meet.
Whilst I will do my absolute utmost to start writing your copy just as soon as possible, it is not always possible to get to work instantly. Writing excellent copy by it’s very nature is not something which can be accomplished very simply overnight, it takes lots of research to properly convey exactly what you want in words. (Pay me a million dollars and you may tempt me though)
Now hold on - that doesn’t mean your copywriting project isn’t important. Quite the opposite in fact! I value highly all of my clients and customers - every time I “sign on the dotted line”, it’s a personal commitment on my part to put my best foot forward and exceed your expectations. That said, copywriting is a challenging endeavor, and it takes time to produce high quality work.
This is my suggestion to you if you are in very urgent need of copy: Shoot me an e-mail as soon as you get an inkling that you’ll be needing the professional services of a freelance copywriter. With plenty of “cushion time”, I’ll be more likely to be able to take on your project and accommodate your timeframe without any issues.
Please do not be put off by my approach to this problem, by all means contact me still, for even if I cannot fulfill your needs on your very urgent timeframe request, I may be able to help you still by passing the project onto a number of other highly competent and professional copywriters who may have an available slot for you who can meet your urgent deadline.
I am located in California and you are in the United Kingdom. Can we still work together effectively?
Absolutely no problem at all! Although I run my freelance copywriting business from the Westcountry, UK - my clients are scattered all over the world. Modern communications such as e-mail, mobile phones etc make it easy for me to work productively and efficiently as your freelance copywriter - no matter where you are located.
I am fully conversant with both American and British English having lived in both countries in my lifetime.
I’m on a tight budget. Do you provide cheap copywriting services?
I understand that all businesses today have fairly tight budgets, some which leave little room for negotiation. However, the old adage holds true: you do get what you pay for. Given the high caliber of work I deliver and the results my clients experience, I feel that my copywriting fees are extremely reasonable and fair.
That said, I’m not the cheapest freelance copywriter. If budget is a concern, I’ll certainly make every effort possible to tailor my services to your financial budget. However, if you are looking for bargain-basement pricing, we’re probably not the best possible fit.
What are your freelance copywriting fees?
I usually determine my copywriting fees on a per copywriting project basis. Often, copywriting projects are difficult to estimate, and an hourly freelance copy fee is most appropriate. As a general rule of thumb; flat copywriting fees seems to work best for myself and for my clients / customers
Do you require a percentage of your copywriting fees to be paid up front as a deposit?
I require an initial deposit of 50% prior to commencement of any possible undertaken project. The balance on all freelance copywriting fees is due upon completion of copywriting services.
Note: A maximum of 2 (two) copy partial rewrites are allowed for, after which further base rate fee’s will apply, you will be notified beforehand that this will be the case immediately before the second partial rewrite of your copy to get everything just as perfect as it is possible for it to be. Obviously I cannot allow indefinite time period rewrites without some form of limitation, which I am sure you can appreciate.
What do your freelance copywriting fees include?
My copywriting fees include research, email discussions, copywriting, and two rounds of partial copy revisions.
What if I don’t need copywriting “from scratch” … what if I just need a re-makeover of the copy I already have? Would you still charge your full copywriting fees in that case?
I determine all copywriting fees on a case-by-case basis. If you simply need your present copy “polishing” up, I’m more than happy to accomodate you by adjusting my copywriting rates accordingly to reflect the actual amount of editing / re-editing required.
How can you write about my business if you do not have direct experience in my particular industry sector?
Research is of course an integral and complete essential part of the process for any freelance copywriter, and my copywriting rates include this research. Prior to writing even one word of copy, I spend plenty of time getting fully acquianted with your business model, audience, products and services. I am a fast learner as well as a committed researcher of new information. Research is a part of my life which I truly enjoy.
However, I do reserve the right to turn down any potential copywriting project which I do not feel is right for me or that I feel that I cannot deliver to your high expectations. There are a few subjects I will not write for, the obvious ones being porn, weapons or anything considered illegal.
If you are in a ‘normal’ industry sector which I am not completely happy with, I may pass on your project to another professional copywriter who may be able to assist you who will also deliver outstanding results and conveys his or her business with total integrity and copywriting professionalism.
Do you require a freelance copywriting contract before you start work?
No - Email communication is normally enough to establish the contract between both parties. Email communications will be the basis for any work agreed to be undertaken for any interested party. If you would like a full written contract though, this of course can be supplied and signed by both parties using ordinary mail or airmail, which of course can take time.
What happens if I have to cancel my freelance copywriting contract before it is completed, or if I change my mind about the direction of a project halfway through it?
Once the copywriting project is in progress, and if you wish to cancel for any reason, payment will be pro-rated* only for the freelance work that has been performed up to that point. (*Please note that the deposit paid is non-refundable). If the project changes drastically in direction or scale - a new freelance copywriting proposal and cost estimate will be provided.
Do I own all rights to the copy you’ve written for my business?
As soon as the full copywriting fees for the project have been made in full, you own the rights to all work created for you. However, I retain the right, once full payment of copywriting fees have been paid, to use your copywriting project on my samples and testimonials web page, unless you specifically state otherwise.
This of course up for discussion. Please let me know if you have any concerns at all regarding confidentiality. If you are not happy about this, just tell me and I will respect your right to complete privacy.
What’s the best way to contact you if I need a freelance copywriter?
Email is by far the easiest way to get in touch with me these days. I can be contacted at this email address: Mark@IMCopywriting.com
Are you searching for a talented, passionate and professional freelance copywriter? Contact me. it would be a real pleasure to hear from you!
Mark Andrews
Mark@IMCopywriting.com
IMCopywriting Terms of Business
My business terms are very easy to understand.
For all copywriting business carried out on behalf of any one client I will require 50% payment up front, the balance of which is due on completion.
On completing your copywriting assignment and/or project on your behalf I will send to you (for first time clients only) 75% of your written copy.
You will then pay the balance owed in full and I shall then send to you your full written copy.
Subsequent orders will require 50% upfront, the full copy will then be sent to you and the balance outstanding will become immediately due.
All monies owed including deposit are to be paid via Paypal, bank wire transfer or UK cheque/s to be discussed on a per contract basis prior to work commencing.
Until such time as the balance is paid in full, I retain the complete copyright - when payment is received and cleared, the copyright will transfer from me to you.
If the money outstanding is not paid in full, the copy supplied may not be used under any circumstances anywhere through any means at all, since until such time as the money owed is paid in full, the copyright of said copy belongs solely to IMCopywriting.com indefinitely.
The transfer of copyright ownership of any written copy supplied will only be conveyed to the other party once payment is received in full.
If you have received copywriting services from my company supplied at a discount copywriting fee and you do not pay in full the final balance owed, all such previous agreed discounts will become null and void immediately and the full copywriting price shall be immediately applied, currently (minimum) $1000 plus charges added to pay for my professional time at a rate of not less than $50 per hour to recover monies due.
A maximum of 3 (three) rewrites will be applied to each copywriting project undertaken, either in part or in full as per my guarantee.
By agreeing for work to commence either by full contract or by email communications you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions as soon as you agree that copywriting work shall commence on your behalf and your deposit is paid.
Your deposit paid is your agreement to these terms of business.
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