Frequently Asked Questions

You’ll hear from me on most inquiries within one business day. I may not have a full answer right away, but I’ll always acknowledge your note and let you know what to expect next.

New clients begin with a complimentary 30‑minute conversation so I can understand what you’re working on and what you need. From there, we’ll decide together whether it makes sense to start with a small project or jump into something bigger.

No. Some clients come in with a clear brief; others are still shaping the work. Early conversations help us decide whether we begin with a focused project, ongoing advising, or something in between.

For copywriting-only projects, I ask for 50% of the fee up front and the balance when the work is complete. If a project is cancelled after I’ve started, I’ll refund the unused portion of that upfront payment on a pro‑rated basis.

If you have a truly short deadline—typically 36 hours or less—please flag that early so I can see what’s possible. In some cases, accelerated timelines may include an additional fee, which we’ll discuss before you commit.

Late or after-hours work is a fact of life in consulting, but (like you) I have a life outside of work. If a project genuinely requires evening or weekend time, we’ll talk about it in advance and agree on what that looks like.

I usually have several projects running at the same time, which helps keep my perspective sharp. If I don’t have the capacity to take on new work, I’ll tell you plainly and, when I can, suggest other consultants who might be a good fit.

That’s completely fine. Our early conversations are partly about clarifying the problem, not just jumping to a solution. We’ll sort out what’s on your plate and decide together whether and how I can help.

I don’t price by the word, and I rarely price strictly by the hour. In most cases, it works better for both of us to agree on fees up front, either as a flat fee, a package, or a retainer.

Depending on the work, I may recommend:

• A flat fee for a specific project or deliverable
• A package that bundles related work
• An ongoing retainer for advisory or recurring support

The ranges I use are informed by industry-standard pricing guides and the scope of your project.

“Pennies‑per‑word” pricing rewards volume, not impact. My work is focused on what your communication needs to achieve, not how many words it takes to fill a page.

Cheaper options can generate a lot of words, fast. What they can’t do on their own is understand your goals, your context, and your audiences well enough to shape the right message, in the right channel, at the right time.

I see AI as a useful thought partner, not a replacement for judgment. It can help spark ideas or rough out possibilities, but it can’t set strategy, weigh trade‑offs, or truly understand what matters most to your readers.

Content mills often optimize for speed and volume. When your writer is paid to churn, not to think, you can end up with copy that feels canned, off-target, or out of step with your brand.

A better way to judge value is to ask what a strong message could be worth: in customers gained, confusion avoided, or momentum protected. If the potential upside is more than “pennies,” it’s worth investing in content that’s tailored, thoughtful, and aligned to your goals.

Then we talk about it. We can look for a narrower scope, a smaller starting project, or I can refer you to someone in my network who may be a better fit. If the economics don’t work for either of us, we don’t force it.

All fees are quoted and paid in US dollars. Sorry, no crypto.

You can pay by credit card through my invoicing platform, or via ACH or EFT. If you prefer to pay by check, I’ll confirm that funds have cleared before work begins.

Usually, yes—as long as your system doesn’t charge me extra fees or require a separate account setup. I typically invoice through FreshBooks, or I can send a PDF invoice and a direct payment link. I don’t accept payment via Venmo or Zelle.

Often, yes—but not only on retainer. We can set things up monthly, annually, or for a defined period, with clear terms and measures of success that work for both of us.

If retainers aren’t your thing, no problem. We can price work by project, by engagement, or for a single tactic.

In most cases, yes. The specifics depend on the type of work. Programs, courses and downloadable content are paid in full at the time of sale.

Rarely. It’s got to be a heck of an opportunity.

For digital downloads and paid online events, payment is collected at the point of sale.

For copywriting and copyediting, I usually ask for 50% at the start. The remaining 50% is billed at agreed milestones—often 25% at an interim checkpoint and 25% at final delivery.

Consulting, coaching, and training are scoped individually. Unless we agree otherwise, I invoice monthly against an agreed project or engagement budget.

For larger or ongoing narration projects, we may use a retainer or milestone payments. Smaller projects are typically billed 50% up front and 50% at final delivery.

Speaking fees are arranged directly with the event organizer. A refundable deposit—or a deposit applied to your final balance—may be required to hold your date, so it’s helpful to reach out as soon as you’re considering me for an event.