O.K. So we all know that FAQs are usually not frequently asked questions, but the questions that site owners want to answer so they can put their best foot forward. Maybe they should be called Questions We Want To Answer or QWWTA.
Something like hoping the job interviewer asks, “What are your weaknesses?” so you can spin the answer into “I often get too caught up in my work and won’t go home until everything is perfect.”
Anyway, here are some questions, the answers we would really like to give (TAWWRLTG), and real answers (RA).
1. How is Moore Partners different from other writing, editing, website, and writing workshop firms?
TAWWRLTG: We’ve been in the game a long time, over 25 years. We’ve seen most of it and done most of it. To last that long we have to be good. To teach at the Queen’s School of Business, Steven has to be way more than good. He is the perfectionist. Susan is wonderfully friendly and considerate and attends to the million other details of running a successful small business. If we have a weakness it’s that we often get too caught up in our work and won’t go home until everything is perfect. Good thing we work at home.
RA: We are a unique combination – a husband and wife team who not only work well together but who like each other. Steven has broad experience in writing, editing, websites, and teaching. Susan is Steven’s editor (we both scrutinize every word before it leaves our shop) and often improves the work through her fresh eyes. She is also there to make sure clients are getting what they need when they need it.
Together, we guarantee you will be satisfied. Our long list of repeat clients over many years is a testament to our professionalism and the excellence of our work.
2. What’s the profile of an ideal client for Moore Partners to work with?
TAWWRLTG: Someone who pays in advance twice as much as we quote and who never forgets our birthdays. Someone who appreciates good writing. Someone who has no firm deadlines and lets us finish whenever we want. Someone who is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, brave, clean, and generous.
RA: First, you should promote sustainability in some way. If you are just out for profit by using resources faster than they can naturally be regenerated, don’t call us. Second, we work best with clients who are professional and decisive. That doesn’t mean you have to know exactly what you want in advance; it means you will recognize it when you see it and you won’t change your mind an hour later. We like clients who are like us: respectful of commitments; enjoyable to work with; proud of the work they do.
3. What outcomes can I expect from working with Moore Partners?
TAWWRLTG: Your sales will triple, you will be invited to all the best parties, people will stop you in the street to congratulate you on your brochures, websites, reports, and advertising. You will be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Your fantasy love life will come true. Your enemies will be punished. You will win the lottery. You will no longer receive any spam. All traffic lights will be green.
RA: You will be pleased with the results, and the process by which you got them. You will receive what you wanted, when you wanted it, for the price you expected. You will recommend Moore Partners to others and you will keep in touch, even if you don’t have any immediate work, because Steven and Susan are always pleasant and interesting to talk to.
4. What does Moore Partners charge? How do you bill?
TAWWRLTG: We charge as much as the traffic can possibly bear. Our goal is to work one day a week and have you pay us for seven, a month in advance.
RA: Our fees are usually in the $95.00/hour range, possibly less for a humanitarian non-profit organization. We are also quite willing to barter. We will give you a firm quote and stick to it.
That rate will seem high to you if you’ve never hired a good writer before. In that case, we hope your plumbing never needs fixing. That rate will seem low for clients in Toronto or Ottawa and you wonder if the quality is there. Well, it is there. Because we work out of a home office and appreciate that perk, our hourly rate is low. Keep in mind, though, that we charge extra for meetings, travel, and research.
We usually manage to regulate the flow of work to avoid rush charges. If pressed, however, we will ask for compensation for working evenings and weekends.
5. What are your terms? Do you guarantee your work?
TAWWRLTG: Payment in advance in gold bullion or unregistered stock certificates for twice the quoted price. We will rebate the excess when we submit the final draft.
RA: Typically, we will sign a written agreement with you specifying:
- Exactly what you are to do and what you will deliver to us by what date
- Exactly what we are to do and what we will deliver to you by what date
- Copyright ownership
- All other pertinent details.
If we haven’t worked with you before, we will ask for 50% in advance, with the balance due 30 days after submitting the final draft to you.
If, along the way, any changes to the original agreement might trigger extra charges, we will be sure to discuss it with you and get your approval before proceeding.
We do guarantee our work. Although it’s never happened in 25 years, we will charge you nothing if you hate the first draft and see no hope of improvement. We do not expect anyone to pay for poor-quality writing.
O.K. I have a project I’d like to discuss. What’s my next step?
R.A. Contact us. We would like to hear from you.