Consultants and Agencies
I work with Consultants and Direct and Digital Marketing Agencies who need experienced, dependable writing help. I love working with the pros!
Consultants: Need plain language writing help?
If you're a plain language, employee benefit or professional consulting firm who needs an extra set of hands to keep your projects moving, I can help.
You have a team who does great work. But your workload goes up and down. People come and go. And at times, you look outside for help.
I have a good handle on what you do as a consultant because that's where I began. Since 1999, I've worked in the consulting trenches – first full time, then freelance. So I get the pressure you're under.
And I know how to make your life easier.
What I can help you with
I lean toward financial, insurance, employee benefits and B2B. But with the right technical support, I'm comfortable working in a variety of industries, at every stage of your process.
What I can help with
- Employee life and health benefits
- Employee pension and retirement benefits
- Association marketing
- Investment education
- Statements, invoices, forms, applications, illustrations, information packages.
Where I can help
- RFPs, quotes, project planning
- Plain language consulting: strategy, discovery, organization and structure
- Plain language writing: drafting, editing, plain language review
- Working with your designer, managing complex revisions.
My experience at-a-glance
I work at home an hour from Toronto, Canada. But I've worked with companies in Canada and the United States. And if you're outside North America, it's no problem.
- I have an MBA from the Rotman School of Management in Toronto, Canada
- I've been a professional consultant since 1999 (freelance since 2006)
- I started out working with group benefit, pension and actuarial consulting firms
- My specialty is plain language writing and consulting
- I'm a sales writer as well...
Please don't be put off by my sales writing...
Yes, I also write those long-winded sales letters. Hey, I've written fiction and non-fiction as well. But most of my writing experience has been in a professional environment. So please know that the drafts I deliver to you will be appropriate – for you and your clients. Testimonials
How I work with consultants
I've worked with consultants in a number of ways. Sometimes, as a one-off. Sometimes steadily for years. What do you need?
- I can act as a full team member for a longer project. Or work quietly in the background.
- I can deliver a full (unpolished) first draft with notes – that your team runs with. Or I can review your first draft, with a fresh eye.
- I can work with your design team during layout. Or carefully manage client revisions.
- Rush job? No problem. If I can help, I will.
For more details, you might also want to read How I work.
About my fees
I get that you’re accountable to your clients. You may be working with a budget. I also understand that using your full-time writers is more profitable for you.
My job is not to replace any of that. It's to help you efficiently scale up when you need it.
My consulting clients tend to mark up my rates. The fees I'd charge you are about 50% of what you charge your clients. So hiring me freelance can still be profitable – though admittedly not as much.
The first time we work together, I’d ask for a deposit to reserve my time. Or a copy of your P.O. if you're a large company.
I'd keep track of my hours and report them weekly. If there’s a rush job on a holiday – there may be an extra charge. But we’d agree on it up front. No surprises.
I love working with the pros! My goal would be to be your top “go to” for freelance work. I will do this by earning your trust. By being responsive and easy to work with. And by producing quality work by your deadline – every time.
Need an experienced freelancer
who can hit the ground running?
Agencies: Need freelance copy – pronto?
I help Direct and Digital Marketing Agencies deliver direct response copy, white papers, and plain language writing for their picky insurance, financial or B2B clients.
You have a fabulous team. But at times, you rely on freelance copywriters when your team is stretched. Or when you don't have the specialized experience in-house.
I know what you face serving clients – because I've worked as a communication consultant since 1999. In fact, I cut my teeth in the consulting trenches. So I get the pressure you're under.
What I can help you with
I can help you deliver direct response copy, email marketing and plain language writing for the following types of clients:
- B2B and professional services
- Investing and financial planning
- Real estate investing, mortgages and financing
- Individual life insurance
- Group benefits
- Group pensions
- Information marketing
- Need something else? Just ask...
My experience at-a-glance
I work at home an hour from Toronto, Canada. But I've work with clients in Canada and the United States. And if you're outside North America, it's not a problem.
- MBA from the Rotman School of Management in Toronto, Canada
- AWAI Verified direct response copywriter
- Student of AWAI's Secrets of Writing Blockbuster Financial Market Controls
- Dan Kennedy Certified Copywriter for Information Marketers
- Professional communication consultant since 1999.
About my Dan Kennedy Trained Copywriter designation
Yes, I'm a Dan Kennedy Certified Copywriter for Info-Marketers. But it would be crazy to think that Dan is responsible for my work. To (understandably) protect himself, Dan requires me to prominently publish the following:
The Dan Kennedy Copywriter for Info-Marketers Certification is awarded to professional copywriters who have successfully completed a course of study of preparation for such copywriting. This Certification has not been provided by an accredited education institution. It does not constitute endorsement of or liability for any individual copywriter by Mr. Kennedy or any companies or organizations affiliated with Mr. Kennedy. The client's relationship is solely with the individual copywriter retained via any agreement.
How I work with agencies
I’m very comfortable with every stage of your process, from RFP, quote, strategy - to discovery, organization, writing and design. The question is, where do you need help?
- Brainstorming strategy
- Submitting a Critique of a sales page or web site - to kick start your team
- Creating a rough draft with notes (that your team runs with)
- Doing a plain language review of your draft, with notes
- Doing a plain language edit, with notes
- Work with your design team during layout
- Manage client revisions with an eagle eye.
- The whole shebang - Researching and writing a polished, full draft - and working with your client to finalize it
What's my writing style?
On this site, I write in my own natural, conversational style. But for consultants and agencies, I write in your client's voice. We'll figure that out beforehand. And if what you need isn't a fit for me, I'll tell you so you don't waste your time.
About my fees
I charge a flat fee where possible. If the project is not clearly defined, I will do my best to break it into steps that are. I’m open to a retainer if you have ongoing work. How do you prefer to work with freelancers?
I get that you’re accountable to your clients. I also get that using your in-house writers is more profitable than using a freelancer.
The first time we work together, I’d ask for 50% up front for flat fee projects. Or a copy of your P.O. if you're a large company.
I'd keep track of my hours and report them weekly. If there’s a rush job on a holiday – there may be an extra charge. But we’d agree on it up front. No surprises.
I love working with the pros! My goal is to be your top pick for specialized freelance work.
I will do this by earning your trust. By being responsive and easy to work with. And by producing quality work by your deadline – every time.
Sound reasonable? Please check out the rest of my site for a complete description of How I work.
Need a copywriter
for a picky client?
Where to next?
Connect now on LinkedIn – A sincere invitation to keep in touch. Five seconds – it's done!
Am I a fit for your project? Here's more about my copywriting and consulting services – B2B copywriting, direct response copywriting, plain languge consulting services, consulting services.
Are we a fit? – This page is a bit fun, a bit serious. Would we work together well? You tell me...