Q: Why the name Engineer Your Copy?
A: Because I’m a freelance copywriter who also happens to be a registered professional engineer. With this distinctive background, I specialize in technical, B2B copywriting where the target customers include both decision makers and influential technical experts.
But just as importantly, Engineer Your Copy reflects what I’ll do for you. My goal, like yours, is to produce materials that positively impact your bottom line. That means my copy has to sell your product or service – to both those decision makers and their technical experts.
And since I’m an engineer, I take an engineering approach to my copywriting. I research and plan your piece just as I would any of my previous design projects. Then with a solid blueprint, I create the piece with an engineer’s attention to detail.
This means clearly focusing on your customers’ needs — and clearly showing how your product or service satisfies those needs. Most importantly, showing this connection in a way that resonates with your technically literate and sales-resistant customer.
Q: What is so unique about your qualifications?
A: I have over a quarter century in the technology industry as an user, designer, specifier, decision maker ANDwriter. Over those years, I’ve worked with a wide variety of decision makers and technical experts — both public and private. I’ve held staff positions, management positions, and ownership positions in the industry. So I know your market the way only someone who’s lived at every level of that market can.
In addition, I’ve made countless presentations to colleagues, project managers, and financial and technical decision makers in the industry. So I not only understand their needs, I know how to speak to them in a way that will have them nodding their heads in agreement.
Just as important for you, I’ve built my career success on the strength of my writing. From winning technical writing competitions in college to having technical papers published in national magazines and on websites, from authoring multimillion-dollar winning proposals to reference manuals and workbooks for training courses, I’ve successfully written more different kinds of technical content than I care to remember.
And since leaving technical management, I’ve applied my methodical mindset to the art of copywriting. I’ve taken numerous courses in business-to-business, direct response and and online copywriting. I’ve spent thousands of hours studying and analyzing the works of master copywriters – past and present – with a particular focus on applying these techniques to technical business markets.
To put it concisely, my combination of industry knowledge, engineering experience, technical comprehension, winning sales writing and B2B copywriting know-how provides me with a skillset that uniquely qualifies me to write copy for the technology market.
Q: Why should we hire you instead of doing the work in house?
A: Simple. You’ll save time. And money. Let me explain.
If you have an occasional need for promotional material, it’s more cost effective to hire me than to have your engineering or sales staff do the writing. First and foremost, you’ll get your materials done faster because developing the copy will not be my “collateral duty.”
Just as important, your engineers and technical staff will not have to spend frustrating hours doing things they weren’t trained to do. And because you’re hiring a professional, you’ll materials will produce better results — including more leads and more sales. That effectively increases your ROI.
On the other hand, if you’re fortunate enough to employ a staff of full-time writers, your company probably manages a large number of products and/or services. With large product/service lines, there is almost certainly an ebb and flow to the writing workload.
Off-loading some of the peak-period writing to me can keep your marketing plans on track without the hassle of hiring additional staff. And you won’t have to worry about keeping that staff busy when the peak flow returns to normal.
Q: Why should we hire you instead of another copywriter or ad agency?
A: Because your materials will be better. And more effective. That’s the result of my extensive industry experience providing me with the knowledge of what your customers are looking for from their vendors.
Quite frankly, most ad agencies and other freelance copywriters do not have a technical background. Therefore, they often don’t understand how writing for the technical sales market differs from the consumer or non-technical B2B market. And frequently this kills their copy. Let me tell you why.
For most non-technical markets — including consumer and business — the emphasis tends to be on product benefits. This can lead to “salesy” copy which attracts those non-technical customers. I’m sure you’ve seen the “over the top” sales pitches yourself.
But this same style that attracts non-technical customers tends to repel engineers and technical staff. They will disregard hype-filled language and flashy presentations and look for the technical information necessary to determine if the product or service will satisfy their needs.
Because of my unique combination of industry experience, technical background and copywriting expertise, I’m able to understand what your technical customers want to see and give it to them.
All while still emphasizing the business benefits that are necessary for the decision makers to sign on the dotted line. This allows your customer’s entire team to agree on the purchase decision.
Q: What kind of assignments can you handle?
A: I cover the full range of print and online marketing materials including trade articles, case studies, white papers, sales letters, direct mail packages, email marketing, brochures, sell sheets, print and online advertising, websites and landing pages.
For a complete list of services, check out my Services page. For some examples of project I’ve completed, take a look at my Samples page. And if you need help with something not specifically listed on either one, contact me to discuss your specialized needs.
Q: How much does it cost to hire you for our project?
A: It honestly depends on the project scope. Just call me or drop me a note and we can discuss what you have in mind. Once I have an idea of what you want, I’ll happily provide you a no-obligation quote.
I quote on a fixed-fee project basis — not an hourly rate. This means all revisions are included in my flat fee so you won’t have to worry about project costs escalating beyond what you’ve budgeted.
And I’ll happily work with you on defining your project’s scope to make sure my fee fits within your budget. Just call me at (307) 638-6037 to discuss your project. Or fill out my contact form and I’ll get back to you at a time convenient for you.
Q: How long will it take you to write our copy?
A: As with project cost, it depends on the project. In a perfect world, I’d have 2-3 weeks from the time we talk until I deliver your completed project. That gives me time to research, write, review, revise, edit, and polish until I’m satisfied with every word. And satisfied the piece is as effective as I can make it.
However, as a business owner and an engineer who’s managed multi-million dollar projects, I recognize we don’t always live in a perfect world. There are times when schedules have to be compressed and you may not be able to wait that long.
So if you have a rush job, just let me know your drop dead date for receiving the completed copy. If I accept your job, you have my personal guarantee that you’ll have it by that date — if not earlier.
Q: What happens if we’d like revisions to your submitted copy?
A: That’s not a problem. Just let me know what specifically you’d like to change — and how it needs to be improved — and I’ll make your changes ASAP. At no additional charge. As with all projects, revisions are included in the flat fee we’ve agreed to.
Just be sure to verify your requested revisions don’t constitute a scope change, and submit them within 30 days of my submission. I’ll then do my best to make sure you’re completely satisfied with my copy and eager to use it. If for some reason you’re not, I’ll revise the copy to your specific guidelines — on my dime.
Q: Do you do design?
A: That depends on what you mean by design. My expertise is copywriting and marketing. So I focus primarily on sales copy and will happily create the copy to work within your current layout. Or can work with your design staff to coordinate our efforts.
However, I do occasionally work on layout related issues for ads (print and online), brochures, sales sheets and other direct response marketing as well as websites and landing pages. Particularly with the copy I’m creating from scratch. So if you have needs in these areas, please let me know when you contact me.
That said, I am not a graphic designer. And while I can sometimes make minor tweaks to graphics, I prefer to work with folks who have expertise in graphic design. In these cases, I can either work with your preferred designer or firm, or can recommend one of the graphics experts who’s work I trust.
Either way, upon request and at no additional charge, I will review the design proofs before you ship them to printing to make sure all the design and copy elements are structured for maximum effect.
Just contact me using my form or give me a call at (307) 638-6037 and we can discuss your project, determine what would work best for you and what I can do to successfully contribute to your project.
Q: How do we place an order with you — and what do you need from us to get started?
A: Getting started is easy. Just call me at (307) 638-6037. Or fill out my contact form and I’ll get back to you right away. Either way, we’ll schedule a time to discuss your project by phone, video conference or collaborative computer environment.
Based on your needs, we can agree on a scope and deadline. I’ll then analyze the project and provide you with a free, no-obligation quote for your project. Normally, you’ll receive this quote within one business day.
Along with the quote, I’ll include a brief checklist that will help you gather the information I’ll need to get started. And don’t worry about organizing the information — that’s my job. Just get all the information you can and dump the information on me. If I have any questions, I’ll ask you.
Once you give me the official go ahead, I’ll dive into all the information you provided. And do any additional research necessary to make sure you get the best copy possible. I’ll then get to work Engineering Your Copy.
Two additional things to remember. First, you’ll get your copy on or before our agreed upon deadline. Second, your satisfaction is guaranteed.
So why not let me help with you next sales letter, case study, white paper, trade article, press release, ad, brochure or direct mail package? I personally guarantee you’ll be delighted with the results or I’ll rework it until you are.
I look forward to the opportunity to work with you. And the opportunity to show you outstanding results AND service. Contact me today for a no-obligation discussion about your copywriting and marketing needs.