Q: What do you do if you are a “freelancer?”

A: Freelancers can do anything! A person could be a freelance writer, graphic artist, yoga teacher, web designer, musician, surfing instructor, or just about anything else that can be done by one person, working alone.

Q: Why should I hire a freelancer?

A: A freelancer can help provide extra support during busy times, or pick up slack if a staff member leaves. A freelancer can efficiently work to finish projects without distractions of workplace meetings. Most importantly, a freelancer that is knowledgeable about your field can help ease the burden of your full time employees with salaries and benefits so that those people can step out of the office and interact with your constituents: making sales, teaching classes, giving tours, delivering lectures and raising money.

Q: Right now I only have one project for you. Can I still hire you?

A: Most likely, yes. Please contact me with project details and I will get back to you with a quote.

Q: What are your rates?

A: When I examine a request for a proposal, I will determine either a fixed fee or an hourly rate, sometimes both for one project. The rate depends upon the organization, my knowledge of the subject matter, and the turnaround time needed by the client. When you request a quote, I will ask all questions necessary to complete the proposal, including a lump sum with payment milestones and/or an hourly rate if applicable. Hourly rates generally apply to things such as meetings, phone conferences, research time, etc.

Q:  What are your payment terms?

A:  All new projects under $1,000 require a 50% downpayment and 50% payment upon completion.  Projects over $1,000 will be paid on either 1) a payment schedule outlined in the contract or 2) a schedule of 1/3 for a deposit, 1/3 upon delivery of a first draft and 1/3 upon completion. 

Q:  How can I pay you?

A: The Garden of Words accepts Checks, Money Orders and PayPal.  

Q: Why are your rates different than what I pay my hourly employees?

A: When you pay your hourly employees a salary, you also pay benefits, payroll taxes, and provide administrative overhead such as office supplies, a work space and work station (with a computer), electricity, etc. If you added all of those incidental costs into your employees’ hourly rates, you would see that they are much higher than the sum of their weekly pay checks. As a self-employed individual, I pay my own payroll taxes (employer and employee contributions), benefits, and provide my own office supplies, computer, utilities, technical support, etc. I factor all of that into my cost when quoting for a project.

Q: What happens if we agree on a project scope and price, and the project becomes larger?

A: If my client wishes to engage more of my time or add additional deliverables to the project, I will work with the client to determine the additional fee. If I encounter much more to be accomplished while working on the project than either of us anticipated, I will confer with the client about any changes that might need to be made and present alternatives. If I have mis-calculated my time to complete a project and deliver according to the original scope of work, I have to “eat” that cost myself.

Q: Do I retain the copyrights to items I hire you to create?

A: It depends on the contract, the compensation and details of the project. If I am writing business letters, newsletters, blog articles, web copy, ghost written content, or other pieces, yes you will retain copyright. There are some instances when I would request to retain copyright, or regain copyright after a period of time. Or, I might request electronic copyrights, but not print copyrights.

Q: Will you sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement?

A: Yes, I will sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement if necessary.

Q: Do you guarantee work done by team members of The Garden of Words, L.L.C.?

A: As Owner of The Garden of Words, L.L.C., Katie Elzer-Peters fully guarantees all work by Garden of Words team members, and will work with the client to acheive the common goal. 

If you have a question that I have not answered here, please feel free to contact me! I look forward to talking with you.