UX Copywriter/Content Writer Estimating Worksheet

How much does copywriting or content writing cost?

This worksheet may help you determine what's involved in working with a freelance UX copywriter. It's not as complex a relationship as the length of this form makes it seem. In fact, often the more information like this you provide up front, the simpler your copywriter relationship will be. Your answers can be brief, and some questions will not apply.

You can send it to me, but you don't have to. Or, rather than fill it out, it's often simpler to chat a bit by phone. For actually writing your copy we'll probably need to talk further anyway.

Phone me at 718-577-0005 during business hours (I'm in New York City), to discuss this list. And any other thoughts or concerns you may have.

Company name
E-mail	(E-mail address here is never shared with others.)
Website
Briefly describe your company. e.g. Entrepreneurial, Fortune 500, Start-up, Small business, Retail chain, Small retailer, Enterprise, etc.
Briefly describe your product, service and/or market. (If it's confidential at this stage, please state what you can.) What is it? What do you do? What is unique about it and/or you? Who is your competition, how are you similar to them, and how do you differ? What is your "Unique Selling Proposition" (also called a "position statement," etc.), if you have one.
What service(s) do you require? Copywriting, editing, creative review, site review, campaign extension, audio production, marketing advice, coaching, research, daily on-site, etc.
What kind of marketing communication is it? e.g., ad, brochure, self mailer, statement enclosure, sales letter, website, video presentation, commercial, presentation kit, spec sheet, press release, radio commercial(s), TV, etc.
How large and how many? e.g. eight 8.5x11 pages, 300 words, two 30-second commercials, 4 post cards
What is your budget? For "creative" (concept / copy / art direction), not including production (printing, site building, etc.). If you're thinking, "Once he knows this, that'll be his price," be assured I don't work that way. But by knowing your budget, I'm better able to propose solutions that fit within it.
What is your principal objective? (there might be more than one answer) e.g., generate inquiries, awareness, provide specifications or capabilities (etc.), fulfill inquiries, new product announcement
Who is the reader(s) or audience? e.g., general consumer, hobbyist or enthusiast, engineer, purchasing agent, CFO, franchisee or store manager, international, etc.
About the next one... Seeing previous work may help me estimate. But even updates of successful materials need to be fresh, and I'll recommend changes or a new approach if warranted. I might ask you to send examples electronically, but not in any form at this time.
Do you consider this an update or extension of previous or similar work (such as a promotion similar to the one you did for last year's event), or is it to be a new concept, etc., created from scratch?
Brief description of your input information: e.g., Will we just talk on the phone? Is there mountainous documentation? Is it organized? Is information scanty? Do you have competitive pieces? Are they all you have? Will I need to do research? If I'll need to interview personnel, how, how many, and when? (The amount of input is not necessarily important here. Sometimes a lot of background information is helpful to have when writing, and it can also help me assist you in other ways. Sometimes excess or redundant documentation wastes time. On the other hand, if it will save you time to provide the input in very raw form, I can work with that.)
What is your tentative copy deadline? (not final printing date)
Have you or your company used this type of marketing communication before?
Who (and how many) will need to approve the work? Will it need to be approved by someone who is not my regular contact? If to be reviewed by more than one person, will you return a consolidated set of comments, or will each person comment individually? (Let's discuss the pros and cons of each.)
Who is the art director/producer/etc.? e.g. a staff art director, designer, freelancer, you, me, unknown, whatever. (I don't need the specific ID yet.)
Do you need additional services? e.g. logo/graphics, art direction, print production, radio production, web page design, etc.
Message or Question
If you haven't already given me your contact information, please include it here.
Your name
Title or position
Street address (include floor, suite or apt.)
City
State/Province
ZIP or postal code
Country
Phone
Fax

UX Copywriter/Content Writer Estimating Worksheet

How much does copywriting or content writing cost?

Do you have a project, question, or suggestion in mind? Let's put our minds together. Contact me now.