Doing Business with Ivey Ink

Most people come to my site with an idea already firmly planted in their head. They might recognize their website copy needs work, for example, or maybe they’ve just noticed errors in their brochures and would like to have them updated. Whatever you need, I can do – and here’s how we can work together.

Once you’ve reviewed my site, all you have to do is contact me. I’ve provided my email address and phone/fax number at the bottom of every page, but in case you missed them, my email is burke.ivey (at) rocketmail dot com, and my number is 586-991-6074. I’m available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. You’ll hear from me within three business days.

There are three crucial pieces of information to include in your message. This information will not only hone your idea of what you want, but make it easier for us to work together as a team. You might want to consider these points, or do some old-fashioned pen-and-paper brainstorming, before you contact me.

First, tell me about your business. What do you do? How long have you been in business? What are the unique challenges your business has to face, such as working with a difficult consumer base, or selling highly technical products and services?

Tell me what type of copy you need. Do you need a new brochure, or several different types of brochures? Do you need better ad copy for your local paper or a trade magazine? Are you unsure of your needs, but you have an idea for several different ways you’d like to approach your business copy?

Finally, tell me what you hope to accomplish with this copy. If you need a brochure, for example, specify whether it’s for use by salesmen to promote your product, or for consumers to educate themselves. Do you need direct mail to reclaim lost customers, bring in new ones, or simply get the word out about your business?

If you need multiple kinds of copy – several types of brochures and an entire direct mail campaign, for example – I can do that, too. Don’t be afraid to overwhelm me with information!

Once you’ve contacted me, you can expect a response within 72 hours. We’ll review your business copy wants and needs – a discussion which can take place in person, over the phone, via Skype, through emails, or in a fax exchange – whichever manner suits you best. The goal of this discussion is to create a solid definition of the type, tone, and scope of your “ideal” copy.

If you decide I’m a good fit for your business needs, we can easily set things in motion. Determine the amount and type of copy you desire, and I’ll create an invoice (or, alternately, your company can create a purchase order) and present it to you for verification and signature.

This invoice will contain a clear description of the copy ordered and an estimated timeline for its production. If this is a very complex or ongoing order, the invoice may be separated out into “milestones”, which can be adjusted as you wish.

As soon as I receive your signature and a deposit of 50% of the total fee, my work begins.

It’s always a good idea to get a look at business copy you’ve had in the past, with your comments on what you liked and disliked about it. If you don’t have time to comment on past copy, feel free to send clippings you liked from trade magazines, competitor’s brochures, or just a list of general notes on what you’re looking for.

Since my goal is to try and lessen the burden on business owners and managers, at this point it would be wise to connect me with “Subject Matter Experts” and contacts at your company. These are people to whom I can relay questions and information about your copy.

An administrative assistant, assistant manager, and/or salesperson are three excellent contact numbers for your humble copywriter to have, and will guarantee we stay “on the same page” throughout the creation of your copy.

When I finish a draft, I will email it to the appropriate contacts for review. This is your chance to ‘tweak’ the copy to your own personal tastes. For example, if the tone is a bit too fluffy, simply say so. Don’t be shy! My content will create an image for your business – and it should be an image that pleases you.

I offer free revisions for 30 days after assignment, meaning that if you weren’t sure about that third paragraph on the sales letter, you have an entire month to speak up. After that time, revisions will be charged as a new project – so use your 30 days wisely!

If you already have business copy, but you aren’t entirely happy with it, I offer a discounted rate for polishing existing copy. If, during the course of my editing, I feel the entire project should be re-done, I’ll let you know - but my rate won’t change. My rate only changes if the nature of the assignment is altered, and even then, only after a signed invoice from your company.

You’re here, so you must know deep down that you need better writing for your business. Why hesitate? Drop me a line and we’ll talk. No commitment! No obligations – just two businesspeople seeing how they can help one another out.

Re-writing all your existing copy, or creating entirely new copy, can be the jump-start that gets your business out of a rut.

If you’re deeply dissatisfied with the state of your business copy – or if you have little to no business copy - contact me, and we can build it together!

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