FAQ

Working with an independent writer/editor for the first time can feel daunting, and you probably have a number of concerns: What will it be like interacting with someone offsite? How will she know what I want? Will I have a chance to review the work in its intermediate stages? Although every project is different, I approach each with the same straightforward methods to ensure work is completed as quickly and smoothly as possible. You can read more about my process here.

In some cases, no, I won’t. Usually, however, clients don’t need an expert in their field—they already are one. What they actually need is a talented writer, editor, or instructional designer to convey that expertise to the rest of the world. My job is to use my skills and experience to make others recognize and appreciate your skills and experience. It’s all about asking the right questions, absorbing new information quickly, and knowing how to tailor content to a particular audience. For more on the “generalist advantage,” check out the Why Work With Me? page.

I don’t list rates because no two projects are the same. For small, relatively simple projects, I usually charge a flat fee. This keeps me working hard and ensures you won’t find any surprises on the final invoice. For larger, more complex, or ongoing projects, an hourly rate may make more sense. Either way, I’ll need to know the specifics of the project before I can provide an accurate quote. If you’d like an estimate on an upcoming project, please contact me with details.

As with cost, each project’s timeframe is unique. How quickly work can be completed depends on a number of factors, including project length, subject matter, and the amount of conceptualizing or research involved. But because I’m not bound by the typical 9-to-5 schedule, I can usually finish a project much faster than an in-house employee. For those on an extremely tight deadline, rush work can often be accommodated. When contacting me with information about your content needs, please indicate any time constraints the project may have. All quotes will include a schedule for deliverables.

Although I generally work with clients on a project-by-project basis, in some cases a retainer agreement just makes more sense. If your content needs require a commitment both long-term and flexible, please contact me.

You do. You can make whatever future alterations you want and are completely free to use it however you’d like. Put it on your company’s website. Mail or email it to customers. Sell it to someone else. With your permission, however, I may include all or part of the project in my online portfolio.

I’m confident in the quality of my work, and I want you to feel the same. My goal is to ensure you’re completely satisfied. I begin each project with a needs assessment and extensive information gathering, and I always keep the lines of communication wide open. Even so, not everything turns out perfectly the first time, and seeing a draft often helps clients better define what they want in the finished product. For these reasons, I offer two complimentary rounds of revisions on all projects. This gives you the opportunity to have the final say on all work.

For all my instructional design work, I use Articulate Storyline 3. This is a powerful authoring tool with robust support for interactivity and is considered the industry gold standard. I do have experience with other platforms and can easily adapt if your organization uses another program, such as Adobe Captivate.

I provide only basic page layout and graphic design services. For many projects, these will be more than sufficient. If, however, your project requires more advanced visual expertise, there are several options available. I’m happy to collaborate with your in-house designers, or I can coordinate with other skilled independent professionals. I’ve worked with many talented artists and designers over the years, and by teaming up we may be able to provide you with a full-service solution.