How we work
The beginning
The process begins when you contact us to let us know that you may need some assistance to get your message across. That’s right, your project need not be a sure thing at this stage – we are able to provide quotations to accompany project submissions, as well as quotations for projects that have already been given the green light.
In order to prepare a quotation we need to know:
- the type of assistance you seek – is it writing, editing, proofreading or communication planning?
- what you hope to achieve with your communication – do you want to motivate, educate, influence, inform, report, entertain, announce, sell or do something else?
- what method of communication you want to use – a booklet, brochure, website, newsletter, poster, billboard, postcard, email, letter, catalogue, report, speech or piece of editorial?
- who you will be communicating with – staff, customers or both?
- any issues you hope the communication will solve, and
- your timeline.
Once we have this information – which you can email to us or discuss with us – we then leave you in peace to make your decision. Our quotations remain valid for 30 days.
In preparing the quotation we consider the amount of time we will spend meeting, researching, thinking, writing, editing, proofreading or planning – we then multiply our estimated number of hours by our hourly rate. This price is fixed from start to finish unless you ask us to do something different or extra along the way. This will result in a fee variation and, in these circumstances, we will provide you with another quotation for this additional work.
If we haven’t worked together before and your project is large, our quotation may specify that we require a 50% deposit from you before work commences. It’s all part of establishing your credit rating with us.
The middle
Once you’ve given us the go ahead – and this needs to come in the form of a purchase order or an email with your deposit (if a deposit is required) – we do our best to start your project immediately. We negotiate the timeframe and delivery milestones with you at this stage so you know exactly what is going to be coming your way and when it will arrive. We also source any extra information we may require if it wasn’t supplied in the beginning. Then we get to work.
If we’re writing or planning, we deliver a first draft in Microsoft Word 2007 format via email. We consult with you and seek your feedback on that draft, usually over the phone or via email, before preparing and emailing a final draft for your consideration. The first draft is where the majority of our time is spent. We work it and rework it until we get it just right. It’s only then that we send it to you.
If we’re editing or proofreading, the work you supply is reviewed once and changes and recommendations are clearly marked for your consideration. If the work is supplied in Microsoft Word 2007 or compatible format, we track the changes electronically using the Track Changes function. If the work is supplied in pdf or hard copy format, proofreading and editing marks are written on the document.
It’s important to remember that, as the client, you are responsible for the accuracy and legality of the work. So it’s up to you to check and double check everything before you produce and distribute it.
The end
Our fees are generally invoiced after the work has been finalised. However, if the project duration exceeds four weeks, invoices will be issued monthly based on time worked during that month. Our payment terms are seven days.
Once the final payment has been received, ownership of the work transfers to you. We simply maintain the right to showcase the work in our portfolio.
At this point we thank you for working with us and look forward to working with you again. We also ask, if you’ve enjoyed your experience, please share the good news with others so that we can help them to communicate effectively too.
View our client listing to see who we’ve worked for and our folio to see what we’ve done. Or contact us to discuss your ideas and ask for an obligation free quotation
