FAQ

Why should I care about my copy?

To the people who read your website, your advertisement, your brochure, your report or any other collateral, your copy IS your company.  It represents you to potential clients.  It reflects your corporate culture, your message and your offer.  Copy that is not carefully planned and written can destroy your brand and lead to lost opportunities. 

Strong Ideas delivers professionally planned and written copy that presents you as you want your readers to see you.  There are no typos or grammatical mistakes to destroy your professional image.  Strong Ideas’ copy speaks to your target readers, captivates them and persuades them to take the action you want them to take.

Is professional copywriting worth it?

The cost of ineffective copy is much more than the investment in professionally written copy.  Your website or collateral is often the first contact your potential clients have with your company.  They will quickly build an image of your professionalism and your eye for detail.  Just one badly written sentence can kill your credibility.  Unprofessional copy risks destruction of your brand and the cost of lost client opportunity.

On the other hand, it often takes only one new client opportunity gained through professionally written copy to recoup your copywriting investment.  In almost all cases, your copywriting investment will pay itself off and more.

Strong Ideas’ professional copywriting is an investment in the success of you business.  Can you afford to go without it?

Why shouldn’t I just write my copy myself?

You may think you know your product or service best, so you’re the best person to write your copy. Ask yourself these questions:

• Do you have the time to divert from your core business activities?  How much is your time worth?
• How long will it realistically take you to strategically plan the content for your project, conduct any necessary research and then write the copy yourself? 
• Do you know and can you implement the basic print or online copywriting principles that are proven to effectively captivate and compel readers?
• Do you know how to write effective headlines that will persuade your audience to read your copy?
• Do you know how to write compelling calls-to-action that will make your readers do what you need them to do to convert them into customers?
  
  

Remember, just one badly written sentence can kill your credibility and destroy your brand. Don’t pour your time, money and effort into writing copy that at best isn’t effective and at worst is actually destructive.

Does Strong Ideas have experience in my field?

Not necessarily.  But Dana Strong and her team of writers all have experience as professional copywriters.  Part of the role of a GOOD professional copywriter is to research and understand your business and your marketplace.  Strong Ideas emphasises the research component of our copywriting services so we know your business, your industry, your competitors, your customers and your marketplace before we even begin to write. 

Sometimes, as outsiders to your industry, we can even see things more clearly than you because we are not engrossed in the business.  We look at things from your customers’ perspective and often discover facts or create angles that make you more attractive to your customers and give you a clear competitive advantage.

How much does Strong Ideas charge for copywriting?

Strong Ideas’ hourly rate is $120; however, we generally price by the project not by the hour.  Each project is unique and is priced individually.  For more information about how much we charge, read our rates page.

Why do copywriting fees vary so much between suppliers?

“Cheap things are seldom good, and good things are seldom cheap”.  It’s true that there is a wide range of copywriting rates.  Many copywriters take a slap-dash approach, focusing on quantity not quality. 

Some copywriters just moonlight and write copy in their spare time but are not really professionals with a dedicated focus on using best practice copywriting principles that get results.  Some copywriters don’t even have English as their first language!

If cost is your main concern, there are certainly cheaper copywriting services available.  If quality is your main concern, keep in mind that you almost always get what you pay for.  Strong Ideas’ rates are great value for the results they produce.

Are revisions included in the price?

Yes.  Strong Ideas’ clients are usually delighted with the first submission, but sometimes there are minor tweaks or revisions to be made.  We want you to be totally satisfied with your copy, so we always include 2 rounds of revisions in our project prices.

Is Strong Ideas’ work guaranteed?

Strong Ideas guarantees your copy will be delivered on time and on budget.   We also include 2 rounds of revisions to ensure your satisfaction.  However, reader behaviour is unpredictable by nature, so we can’t guarantee a specified number of responses or new customers based on the copy we deliver. 

The satisfaction of our past clients is our best guarantee that you will receive exceptional copy that will meet or exceed your expectations.  Read what our clients have to say.

How long will my copywriting project take?

Every project is different and delivery schedules are quoted individually.  Delivery schedules depend on the size and complexity of the job as well as on Strong Ideas’ workload and availability.  We can usually start your job within 2 weeks of your request, and once a submission date is set you can rest assured that Strong Ideas will deliver on time.

Can I see samples of your previous work?

Yes.  Some samples can be found in the Before and After section of the website and on our Samples page.. We are also happy to provide additional samples of specific copywriting projects upon request.

What qualifies Strong Ideas to write my copy?

Dana Strong has a strong educational background and extensive corporate experience in positions that included many different styles of writing.  She has been writing professionally since launching Strong Ideas in 2003. 

You can read more about her in the About Us section. All copy delivered by Strong Ideas is either written or proofread and edited by Dana.

Strong Ideas has a track record of satisfied clients who are more than happy to recommend Strong Ideas as their copywriting service provider of choice.

Will Dana Strong write my copy herself?

Not necessarily.  It will depend on your project, your timeframe and Dana’s current workload.  But Dana does proofread and edit all copywriting submitted by Strong Ideas. 

So whether Dana writes your copy herself or not, you can be assured that your copy will have her stamp of approval.

Strong Ideas’ contract writers are professional, experienced, trusted copywriters.  Often they will have experience specific to your project or your industry. 

Why is copy the most important element of my website?

More than 80% of website visitors go to websites to get information.  They want to research products, qualify companies and make buying decisions.  What gives them the information they are looking for?  Words.  Although design and presentation are important, the words are the tools that will engage your readers, give them the information they need, build your credibility and ultimately convert them into customers.

Because copy is such a crucial element to the success of your website, the best strategy for designing an effective website is to have your copy developed simultaneously with your website.  It’s more difficult and less effective to add copy into the design after your website has been developed.  Strong Ideas’ writers can work closely with your web developer to ensure you get the best possible results from your website.  Contact us to get started.

SEO copy on your website works not only to convert readers into customers; it can help get readers to your site in the first place.  SEO copy uses key words and key phrases in the right density, the right way and the right places on the page to attract search engines.  SEO copy can be an effective element of your overall Search Engine Optimisation strategy. 

Is website copy different than print copy?

• 79% of website readers scan rather than read for word*
• Website readers scan the page in an F-shaped pattern*
• The average website visitor reads only 28% of the words on a web page*
• It takes readers 25% more time to read words on a screen than words on a print page*

Yes.  And no.  All good copywriting is clear and engaging.  But there are distinct differences between the reading characteristics of website readers and print readers that necessitate different techniques for website writing.

Source: Jakob Nielsen alertbox reports www.useit.com
There are proven website writing principles and guidelines that can be incorporated to make the words on your website effective.  There are verified techniques that can help slow down web readers’ scanning eyes, catch their attention, keep their attention for longer, make sure they read the right information and help convert them into buyers.  To find out more about these methods, check out the Strong Ideas blog.

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