I know that hiring someone to help you can be daunting task and letting go of the reins on your business marketing can be a scary thing. I want to assure you that I'm here–not to take over, but to work with you. You are the leader of your business–I'm here to help you on your path and handle the technical side of building and growing your online presence.
Here are a few Frequently Asked Questions about Innerspace Marketing that may give you some insight on how I work.
How do you handle the number of clients you have? As a new client, am I at the bottom of the “to do” list?
I only take on a select number of clients each month. Each project and each client is unique and has defined deadlines. Some clients hire me for one time projects, such as building a website. Some clients need on-going support for a certain number of hours per month. I do not take on more than I can handle in a month.
I know that you need what you need–and you need it now. I do my best to set realistic timelines for each project, which is outlined in a Scope of Work document that I create for each client. These deadlines are based upon work I have done for other clients in the past. I always keep track of every element of a project, so I have detailed data on my workflow.
What hours/days do you work?
I work generally 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Central Time on weekdays, Monday – Friday. Additionally, I'll work on projects in the evening 8 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. as needed.
I’m fluid in my work hours because I like to complete projects and check items off on my to do checklist. My method is to create realistic, internal deadlines for myself and work to those deadlines for each project. So, that means I will work on weekends or nights to meet that deadline, if needed. Sometimes, I’m so excited about a new project I put my head down and grind it out.
I’m almost always reachable by email or cell phone. I pride myself on being responsive and taking care of all my client’s needs in a timely manner.
What are your talents?
I have a unique personality blend of creativity and practicality. The technical parts of my job keep me ingrained in the practical—discovering or recommending tools that will be a best fit for each client; basically, how to accomplish marketing goals in a logical, cohesive manner. The creative side of my job lets me explore how to create solutions using those tools in new ways, and express a client’s key message through words and visual media.
For me, each project is a puzzle that you and I define together. I see my job as helping to solve the puzzle and deliver you a solution that is unique to your business, attractive to your clients, unifies your vision for your brand, and creates a centralized hub for your marketing.
What kinds of projects or clients do you stay away from?
I try to not take on projects where the client does not have a clear vision, purpose, or goal for their business. If I see I’m not the right fit—either in scope of the project or they may have expectations in skills that I cannot meet, I will recommend that they look somewhere else.
I also stay away from clients who want fast results via unscrupulous means like Black Hat SEO, website content scraping, etc. I run a reputable business, and maintain high standards for others and myself.
What do people most like about working with you?
I am responsive, friendly, and I seek to understand not only your business and your goals, but also what makes your customer tick. In my opinion, there are no “dumb” questions. If you ask, I will deliver, even if that means I need to hunt down the answer for you.
I also don’t disappear. I’m more than a webmaster, I can be your marketing department, on call, when you need help. Clients rely on me to be there, and I support them.
Why do your clients choose you over the competition?
I care. Hands down—I care about the work I produce, I care about my clients and their successes. I'm easy to work with and I'm here as much as you need me to be. I'll happily train you on anything you wish to know about the work I do for you.
What happens if I am not happy with the work you provide?
Per my Scope of Work document that I provide each client for each project, you have the right to cancel at anytime, but notice must be made in writing (email). Any work done up to that point is charged on an hourly rate outlined in the Scope of Work. This work will be deducted from the initial project deposit; any remainder not used up in the deposit will be refunded, any overage after the deposit has been used up will be invoiced. More information about refunds is found on my Terms & Conditions page.
If I want you to build a website, what do you need from me?
Domain
You will need to purchase a domain name for your URL. I recommend www.GoDaddy.com for domain purchases as you can usually find an online coupon code to discount the price. (Google GoDaddy Coupon Code). If you need me to purchase it on your behalf, I can do this.
I will need the login information for your domain registrar (like Godaddy.com) so that I may point your nameservers to your host provider.
Hosting
You will need a host provider–-I currently offer this service for websites I build. If you do not use me, I will need you to provide me with your hosting service login information. Your hosting needs to have cPanel access and offer the latest PHP (version 5.2.4 or greater) and MySQL (version 5.0 or greater) support to run your WordPress site smoothly. Recommended host providers are: HostGator and BlueHost. If this paragraph reads like gibberish, call me and I can work with you to get you what you need.
Site Pages & Content
I will need you to provide me with what pages you want, any existing content you’ve written, and we need to discuss how the navigation is setup, if you want any second tier subpages. A Word Document is fine for this. I'll need any photos of yourself or images you already have that you want to use on the site.
What's your process you use to build a site?
As for the build, I can work two ways – the first way is to build the site offline (on my computer) and upload the final product when it is ready to go live. There will be a coming soon place holder page in place until the full site is uploaded. I can send you screenshots of what things look like through out the process, but you won’t be able to access it through your computer.
The second option is to put a placeholder “Coming Soon” page without any navigation. I can build it live so that you may see the pages in their “draft” mode before going live to the world. I will ask Google and other robots not to index the site until it’s fully live. This allows you to see the progression.
I will tell you that the last thing I do is work on how the site will visually look—all the icing on the cake, so to speak. I’ve got to bake the cake first–create how the pages are structured, navigation, and then styling is the final element (visuals), how things look. So there is a period of non-icing, ugly-no-makeup in the beginning of a website build. I don’t want that to alarm you in any way.
As far as deadlines, generally, I can work as quickly as you can give me information.
How do we handle revisions?
For content revisions, you can email me updates, send over text edits or revisions within an email or within a Word document. For logo revisions you may also email me things you would like changed.
Who owns the creative?
You own the creative. I merely store it for you. I do ask for the right to show it in my portfolio, with a link back to your site. If this is a website build, I ask to put Designed by Innerspace Marketing in small text in the site footer, with a link to my website.
I generally purchase 300 ppi versions of any stock photography (through creative commons licensing), that way those images may be used in brochures or anything printed and they will look great. We scale down to 72 ppi for web/online viewing.
I will add any text marketing messaging or do any necessary editing.
I’ll give you files in any format you need: jpg, PSD, png, etc. PSD files will not be layered—it will be exactly like the final file. All logos are created in Adobe Illustrator.
For branding work, I will create a Style Guide for your business with copy and paste images for Word or Microsoft office documents.
Will I receive original files of graphics (Vector format for logo, etc)? and a copy of all brand info (fonts, colors etc.)?
I give every branding client a Style Guide as a Word document, outlining all colors in all formats (RGB/CYMK/Web), fonts used, and include copy and paste versions of color and black and white for Word.
I can supply your logo in an Adobe Illustrator file for printer use (scalable vector). I also do business card layouts, brochure design, and other items. I have a trade printer, so I can do it all for you, and have it shipped right to your door.
Help! I have a WordPress site and I'm lost. It's ugly and I hate it. Can you fix it for me and make it fit my vision?
Website Makeovers for an existing WordPress website would have to be based upon your existing website and how much time it would need for changes. This type of project is priced based on an hourly rate or base price for a whole new site–depending on the complexity of the project. Don't worry, yes, together we can make it a beautiful site you can be proud to share.
Help! I just need someone to post blog articles or make changes to content or upload images periodically!
Not a problem, you can contract me on an hourly basis to make website changes.
Will you edit my content?
Yes, I can help with content editing.
Will you write my content?
You are the subject matter expert. I defer to you in that realm. I will edit existing content or add to it. I can recommend some excellent copy writers if you need one.
What are you typical deadlines for projects?
Web Design
Until we discuss your project in depth, it is impossible for me to give you a price. I can, however, give you a general price range.
Websites with multiple content pages and a blog generally take 2.5 – 3 weeks (of working days) to complete, start to finish. This is dependent upon how quickly content is delivered and approved.
In addition to your custom, responsive theme, I include several premium (paid) plugins such as Gravity Forms and Backup Buddy (amongst others), setup security measures inside your WordPress structure, graphic image selection/creation/editing and jump start your SEO and Google Analytics.
Complex websites such as eCommerce sites, or membership subscription sites take longer due to their nature and more complex testing, generally 6-12 weeks. Again, this is dependent upon how quickly content is delivered, approved and testing. This includes shopping cart setup, merchant account integration, assistance in SSL certificate procurement, other types of integration like email marketing, setup of sales dashboards and notifications, and testing.
Logos and Branding/Graphic Design
Logos and Branding initiatives can take up to two weeks, based on your timely feedback on revisions. If you need brand development, please complete the Design Questionnaire.
Graphic Design for a selected element, such as an ad, banner ad, header for your website, image slider for marketing messaging for your existing website (that I did not build) can take 1-3 days, based on your timely feedback on revisions. This type of project is priced based on an hourly rate package for small jobs.
Email Marketing
Email Marketing may include a custom template, web form creation and integration, back end setup for opt-in procedures, auto-responders, blog broadcasts, etc. This can take 5-7 working days based upon how much work needs to be done. This type of project is priced based on an hourly rate. This applies to simple systems such as Aweber, MailChimp, SendPepper or Constant Contact. The full monty for email marketing includes a template, auto-responders, thank you page and website integration would typically be a 8 hour job.
Depending on the system, on-going email marketing support may be contracted on an hourly basis. Or if you need a small job done like format my website opt-in form, this can also be done on an hourly basis. Generally within a two hour time frame, start to finish.
For more complex systems like ONTRAPORT, I offer a 5-hour, $500 monthly retainer.
Social Media
I can create your social media pages/profiles and custom graphics for social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+, LinkedIn or Pinterest. Typically, this takes an hour or two of time, depending upon the messaging and how many profiles you want to target. This type of project is priced based on an hourly rate, for small jobs.
If you need on-going social media management, I can refer you to some excellent people who do this professionally. I do not offer this service at this time.
What else do you do that may not be listed?
If you need help creating a strategy for your marketing, defining and targeting your ideal customer, creating a social media calendar, writing a press release, help in defining a sales funnel/leadflow or you need a creative person to bounce an idea off of that has been brewing in your mind–yes–I absolutely can help you do all of these things.
You define how we can work best together. I am here as much as you need me. Let's talk!
Can you setup Google Analytics for me?
Absolutely, in fact, I insist that we do so you can measure and track your online presence and see the growth! This holds me accountable for helping your marketing effort.
What don't you do?
I am not a virtual assistant per se. I don't answer phones, make calls on your behalf, answer your email, or manage your schedule. If you're looking for a great VA, I can make some recommendations. If you are looking for a copy writer or an on-going social media management, I can also make some recommendations.
What forms of payment do you accept?
I accept checks, PayPal and most major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express).
