FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
This is too wide open a consideration to cover in this kind of a venue. As I mentioned in the answer to another question: until such time as the writer gets to know the full scope of the project, the writer can't determine a rate. The Casell's Writers Network, to which I belong, gives a list of rates based on the type of writing or editing involved. I believe the document is ten pages long. And in my case, what I have found is that the client request actually falls precisely into none of the listed services. It often touches on two or three different services, and the ones it touches on have highly divergent rates. So I myself have often had to sit down and come up with a unique rate quote for an unusual type of requested service. Of course, this unusual types of requirements are precisely the types of work that some clients have found me far better suited for than writers with a less eclectic background.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
It would be impossible to keep up with the latest developments in my field. Despite my observations in these answers regarding the versatility and flexibility of my background, and my success in applying it, the trend in business writing now is toward a level of specialization. Or, as the industry buzz word has it, for writers to focus on particular "niches" in writing. This is precisely because there is so much of a range in the type of business writing needs that potential clients have. I do review many of my training materials, as well as try to learn more about developments through networking with other writers and things of that nature.
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
I have always enjoyed writing, and business and technical writing, sales-oriented writing, and more recently web content are the areas where there is a demand for professional writers.