Comments on: Why I’m Not Cheap and Why That’s a Good Thing http://www.angiescopywriting.com/copywriting/why-im-not-cheap-and-why-thats-a-good-thing.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-im-not-cheap-and-why-thats-a-good-thing Making great conversions and even greater conversions Tue, 03 May 2011 14:42:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Angie Nikoleychuk (Haggstrom) http://www.angiescopywriting.com/copywriting/why-im-not-cheap-and-why-thats-a-good-thing.html#comment-1501 Angie Nikoleychuk (Haggstrom) Sat, 10 Jul 2010 15:26:54 +0000 http://www.angiescopywriting.com/?p=1018#comment-1501 Hi Marsha, I had that same problem at first. After a time, I realized working with a lack of information didn't do me or the client any favours. To combat the problem, I made up a 'client profile', which all clients are asked to fill out. In it is a list of questions about the business, the site, their competitors, products/services, and the project they're asking about. This way, I can price accordingly and fairly (I generally do a per project pricing except for consulting, editing, and similar services that can vary greatly in terms of needs and time.) Hi Marsha,

I had that same problem at first. After a time, I realized working with a lack of information didn’t do me or the client any favours. To combat the problem, I made up a ‘client profile’, which all clients are asked to fill out. In it is a list of questions about the business, the site, their competitors, products/services, and the project they’re asking about. This way, I can price accordingly and fairly (I generally do a per project pricing except for consulting, editing, and similar services that can vary greatly in terms of needs and time.)

]]> By: Marsha Tomlin http://www.angiescopywriting.com/copywriting/why-im-not-cheap-and-why-thats-a-good-thing.html#comment-1500 Marsha Tomlin Sat, 10 Jul 2010 15:22:16 +0000 http://www.angiescopywriting.com/?p=1018#comment-1500 Thank you for putting it out there. When people ask me to write copy or any business writing (including proofreading and editing), they expect me to do this in one hour and for next to nothing. I also receive little or no information - target market or objectives. This lack of information increases my research time. All I get is "How much does it cost?" Thank you for putting it out there. When people ask me to write copy or any business writing (including proofreading and editing), they expect me to do this in one hour and for next to nothing. I also receive little or no information – target market or objectives. This lack of information increases my research time. All I get is “How much does it cost?”

]]> By: Angie Nikoleychuk (Haggstrom) http://www.angiescopywriting.com/copywriting/why-im-not-cheap-and-why-thats-a-good-thing.html#comment-1491 Angie Nikoleychuk (Haggstrom) Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:44:18 +0000 http://www.angiescopywriting.com/?p=1018#comment-1491 Hi Richard, that is exactly it. Actually, I'm currently working on a few posts that I'm hoping to publish next. One looks at exactly the point you brought up. I get enough enquiries a day, that I can usually tell with the first sentence or two that comes out of someone's mouth whether they're serious about their business or not. It's not restricted to just their online business either. I think people see online business as being different from brick and mortar companies, when in fact, they're identical. Hi Richard, that is exactly it. Actually, I’m currently working on a few posts that I’m hoping to publish next. One looks at exactly the point you brought up. I get enough enquiries a day, that I can usually tell with the first sentence or two that comes out of someone’s mouth whether they’re serious about their business or not. It’s not restricted to just their online business either. I think people see online business as being different from brick and mortar companies, when in fact, they’re identical.

]]> By: Richard http://www.angiescopywriting.com/copywriting/why-im-not-cheap-and-why-thats-a-good-thing.html#comment-1490 Richard Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:05:28 +0000 http://www.angiescopywriting.com/?p=1018#comment-1490 Is the 83 Toyota Tercel for Sale? Just joking. I enjoyed your article while it brought back memories of people trying to buy my services for cheap in various settings. When potential clients first question is "How much does it cost?" rather than focusing on value, ROI, or my success stories, then I know the potential business doesn't bode well. I'm no copywriter. But I certainly value excellence wherever I find it. Is the 83 Toyota Tercel for Sale?

Just joking.

I enjoyed your article while it brought back memories of people trying to buy my services for cheap in various settings. When potential clients first question is “How much does it cost?” rather than focusing on value, ROI, or my success stories, then I know the potential business doesn’t bode well.

I’m no copywriter. But I certainly value excellence wherever I find it.

]]> By: Angie Nikoleychuk (Haggstrom) http://www.angiescopywriting.com/copywriting/why-im-not-cheap-and-why-thats-a-good-thing.html#comment-1489 Angie Nikoleychuk (Haggstrom) Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:27:33 +0000 http://www.angiescopywriting.com/?p=1018#comment-1489 Agreed Matt. The phenomenon isn't limited to just clients, however. I've seen designers/developers expect $5/pg copy just as often as copywriters who feel offended when they discover their site design is going to cost more than $50 and NO you don't do the development for free. It is going to be a rocky road until we get over that mindset, and part of me is thinking that's not going to happen. (Thank you Matt. Did you see the creativity? Did you see what I did there? I thought so. Smart I know :P) Agreed Matt. The phenomenon isn’t limited to just clients, however. I’ve seen designers/developers expect $5/pg copy just as often as copywriters who feel offended when they discover their site design is going to cost more than $50 and NO you don’t do the development for free. It is going to be a rocky road until we get over that mindset, and part of me is thinking that’s not going to happen.

(Thank you Matt. Did you see the creativity? Did you see what I did there? I thought so. Smart I know :P )

]]> By: Matt Saunders http://www.angiescopywriting.com/copywriting/why-im-not-cheap-and-why-thats-a-good-thing.html#comment-1488 Matt Saunders Thu, 24 Jun 2010 12:45:55 +0000 http://www.angiescopywriting.com/?p=1018#comment-1488 It seems to be a web thing. The value of design, development and other forms of online distribution is just NOT acknowledged as much as it should, yet most companies are more than happy to spend a great more on printed publications such as leaflets and magazines. I put it down to the tangibility of these methods - they can touch and feel it. The same cannot be said about a website. It's completely moronic, of course, but people are completely moronic. Overall I very much agree with you, and as a designer I empathise with your pains. P.s. sorry to point it out but there is an error in the first sentence under My Copywriting Is Creative (you brand should be your brand). It seems to be a web thing. The value of design, development and other forms of online distribution is just NOT acknowledged as much as it should, yet most companies are more than happy to spend a great more on printed publications such as leaflets and magazines. I put it down to the tangibility of these methods – they can touch and feel it. The same cannot be said about a website. It’s completely moronic, of course, but people are completely moronic.

Overall I very much agree with you, and as a designer I empathise with your pains.

P.s. sorry to point it out but there is an error in the first sentence under My Copywriting Is Creative (you brand should be your brand).

]]> By: Angie Nikoleychuk (Haggstrom) http://www.angiescopywriting.com/copywriting/why-im-not-cheap-and-why-thats-a-good-thing.html#comment-1487 Angie Nikoleychuk (Haggstrom) Wed, 23 Jun 2010 22:51:36 +0000 http://www.angiescopywriting.com/?p=1018#comment-1487 Hi Kristina! I completely agree. Everyone always talks about the importance of their marketing message, clarity, and even the importance of customer service, but as soon as they belittle the importance of their copy, they're already degrading the three things they've been working hard to achieve. Content and content strategy is vital onsite and offsite. I really hope website/business owners start to bring content providers and strategists in on the ground floor in the future. And the concept that we should work for $5 or $10 an hour while these cheap sites reap years of rewards from our work is really frustrating. Thanks for leaving your thoughts! Angie Hi Kristina!

I completely agree. Everyone always talks about the importance of their marketing message, clarity, and even the importance of customer service, but as soon as they belittle the importance of their copy, they’re already degrading the three things they’ve been working hard to achieve. Content and content strategy is vital onsite and offsite. I really hope website/business owners start to bring content providers and strategists in on the ground floor in the future. And the concept that we should work for $5 or $10 an hour while these cheap sites reap years of rewards from our work is really frustrating.

Thanks for leaving your thoughts!

Angie

]]> By: Kristina Mausser http://www.angiescopywriting.com/copywriting/why-im-not-cheap-and-why-thats-a-good-thing.html#comment-1486 Kristina Mausser Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:40:29 +0000 http://www.angiescopywriting.com/?p=1018#comment-1486 Kudos for telling it like it is! Companies who value their content (and their content writers!) will reap the rewards of their investment ten-fold. I don't know how many times I have met with an organization for "only copy" and ended up providing them with strategic marketing advice, business process advice, social media advice etc. As content writers, we are often the bartenders of the web development process ...the developers only speak about code and the designers are entrenched in visual branding. Without a content strategist in place or other web project manager on board, web content writers must figure out for themselves everything from target audience to key messaging and value proposition. As you mention, these are often "free" add-ons to the copy price, for without them, we couldn't do our jobs effectively. Web content is, sadly, an overlooked business asset that companies must stop relegating to after-thought both in approach and budget. I tell clients if it's not worth it to their business, then it's not worth it to mine. Kudos for telling it like it is! Companies who value their content (and their content writers!) will reap the rewards of their investment ten-fold.

I don’t know how many times I have met with an organization for “only copy” and ended up providing them with strategic marketing advice, business process advice, social media advice etc.

As content writers, we are often the bartenders of the web development process …the developers only speak about code and the designers are entrenched in visual branding. Without a content strategist in place or other web project manager on board, web content writers must figure out for themselves everything from target audience to key messaging and value proposition. As you mention, these are often “free” add-ons to the copy price, for without them, we couldn’t do our jobs effectively.

Web content is, sadly, an overlooked business asset that companies must stop relegating to after-thought both in approach and budget. I tell clients if it’s not worth it to their business, then it’s not worth it to mine.

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