Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to common questions about GIC, my services, and what it’s like to work with me:

What do you offer that other copywriters don’t?

Experience. Precision. Persistence. While I’ve worked in marketing for years and have handled a panoply of Web projects, I recognize that your needs are unique and require individual attention.

I work closely with clients to ensure that they’re thrilled with the finished product. If the final deliverable doesn’t exceed your expectations, there’s still work to be done.

What’s your turnaround?

It depends. Regular clients book my time months in advance. Anything over five business days is reasonable for many projects, but more lead time is always better – especially when the work requires several hours of my time.

I can usually do rush work, but anything needed in fewer than five business days will incur an additional charge.

Do you have business terms?

Yes. New clients must pay 50% up front with the remaining balance due within 30 days of completion. For repeat clients, I bill when the work is complete and require payment within 30 days.

Do you do spec work?

No. Never.

How much do you charge?

Check out my pricing page for all the details on prices.

I found a guy on Elance.com who only charges $10 per article. Why do you cost so much more?

That’s a different market. I don’t compete with that guy (thankfully).

Do you write for print mediums?

Sure. I’ll do a handful of print projects per year, and they usually consist of material that complements other digital copywriting work.

Where are you located?

Everywhere! Green Ink Creative is a location-independent business. I actually live all over the world and work via my laptop, smartphone, and strong wireless signals. I’m a digital nomad – part of a new class of professionals who voluntarily “untether” themselves from any permanent location. Will I always carry on this way? Nah. But for the moment, it’s a lot of fun.

Legally speaking, Green Ink Creative is located in the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area and maintains a mailing address there. Click here to read more about my location independence.

Does your location independence make it difficult or costly for me to reach you?

Nope! I have a local Atlanta phone number that will reach me anywhere in the world (thanks, Skype!). There’s no long distance, and I’m always connected. In the event that you can’t reach me, just leave a message. I’ll return your call as quickly as if I was in the US. And there’s always email, of course.

What payment methods do you accept?

Just about everything: Checks, direct deposit, Paypal, credit cards…

If you’re out of the country a lot, how do you deposit the checks I mail you?

I’ve got a guy who handles my mail and deposits checks at the bank.

What’s your background?

My first marketing job was with Vertafore, a computer software company that develops content management applications for the insurance vertical. After doing that for awhile, I worked as an English teacher for three years.

While I taught, I started freelancing a little on the side. I quickly discovered that I had a real knack for writing effective copy, and I finally built up enough business to make it my full-time, all-the-time profession. Now I’m happily self-employed and enjoy serving clients all over the world.

I saw on LinkedIn that you were an English major in college. Is that why you’re such a good copywriter?

No. Definitely not. While it’s true that I was an English major in college, studying literature teaches you nothing about business and absolutely zilch about marketing. I learned copywriting later – some during my time at Vertafore (see above) and the rest through continuing business education and experience.

Don’t get me wrong. I love poetry and prose. I get up at 5:00 every morning, drink tea, and read fiction. But literary scholarship and copywriting have little to do with one another. If you’re hiring a copywriter, it’s better to choose someone with marketing experience than academic writing experience.