Frequently Asked Questions

What do you look for in a client?
What can I expect in terms of a contract?
What can I do now to get ready to work with you?
Can I email or call you with questions between consult phone calls?
Do you ever work with other people on my team like my agent, my editor, and my publisher?
In regards to Publicity Management, what should I have in my press kit?
Can you help me with my website?
When is the best time to begin working with you?



Q: What do you look for in a client?
A: We look for smart, kind people who have natural talent. We enjoy the intense way creative people think, feel, and respond. We appreciate their ability and desire to learn. Our biggest concern when approaching projects is that we can connect to the clients and believe in who they are and understand the passion behind the messages they want to express. It’s important to us to like the people we work with, so we choose clients carefully. Back To FAQ

Q: What can I do now to get ready to work with you?
A: One of the most valuable things to do early-on is gather information that our office needs. We’ll ask for everything you’ve got, including the shoebox full of mementos in the garage. Keep all of your originals. Prepare a collection for us that includes samples of your work, press materials, press clippings, photos, your resume, your c.v., your bio, and whatever else you have. Then, take a look at your calendar for the next year and think of any and all dates that are meaningful to you on a personal level and on a traveling level. As things unfold, our office needs to be aware of your availability to participate in events that we’re hearing about. We understand that personal birthdays, anniversaries and other special days will probably be black-out dates for you...it helps a lot if our office knows what is important to you and we work together to help you preserve special times that should not be overlooked. Also it helps a lot for us to get a list of places you might want to go, why those places interest you, and when you might consider visiting those locations. Back To FAQ

Q: What can I expect in terms of a contract?
A: First of all, expect a contract that is straight-forward and clear. Our contracts detail what to expect from us, and our contracts also detail what we expect from you. The work that we do has structure, goals, and deadlines that are outlined in the contract. Sometimes our success hinges on you providing information or sending material to us in a timely way. We expect you to meet your deadlines. Our contracts explain what your payment amounts are and when they are due. We expect your payments to arrive on time so that your service is never interrupted. Our contracts state that there are never any hidden fees. If additional fees are ever needed for materials or services not covered by your contract, your approval is absolutely required before any additional costs are ever incurred. Back To FAQ

Q: Can I email or call you with questions between consult phone calls?
A: We try very much to hold what can wait to a scheduled appointment, but certainly there are times when something simply cannot wait. And when things need to be dealt with, timing can be crucial. We have an open-line policy. As time goes along, it will become more clear what can wait and what can't wait. When in doubt, call us. You’ll dial a direct line and it is common to get voice mail. It may help to know that we are on the phone a lot. We get lots of phone calls and spend lots of time making phone calls. All phone messages are monitored constantly. All mail is monitored three times a day. Leave a detailed message that describes your whole concern, where you are and how to reach you. You will receive a timely response. If we find that you routinely need more attention than your current service plan allows, we can discuss ways to meet your growing needs by amending your current contract to include additional consultations. Back To FAQ

Q: Do you ever work with other people on my team like my agent, my editor, and my publisher?
A: Yes! Building good working relationships and cultivating open lines of communication between the members of your team increase your opportunities for success. We work well with others in the common objective to make your success happen. In most cases we routinely update the rest of your team about what’s happening for you. We ask them about their efforts, aspirations, and goals so that we can help make progress for you specifically in their realms. We clearly understand the roles of the people working with you and help you recognize the parameters of their roles and the particular obstacles and hardships they commonly face trying to do their jobs. Back To FAQ

Q: In regards to Publicity Management, what should I have in my press kit?
A: Too much material is simply too much for routine faxing and for some of the mailings. Usually, when we create the core materials for your press kit, we like to have three basic pages in the kit. Pages that focus on About the Product, About the Creative Artist, and Talk Topics work really well as a hub. They look easy and clean and simple, but a lot of development is done behind the scenes, particularly on the Talk Topics. The trick is that the pages need to be immediately useable by the media. We've had items from our Talk Topics promoted with our clients as events and as radio talk segments. Of course, the press kit is also dressed up with other stuff such as photos, clippings and stuff you probably already have Later, as things progress, we will add a page to the press kit called Media Attention. Back To FAQ

Q: Can you help me with my website?
A: We can consult with you on specific web objectives and figure out ways to make defined goals happen. Depending on where you are at in the process, we may find that there are several stages between what your site is now and what it ultimately should become. Our focus will include helping you make specific progress while defining and creating revenue streams and generating traffic. Besides ironing out a plan with you, we can storyboard out the pages that will be needed and develop the content. We get content ready for your graphic designer to post on the site. We often provide the search engine words and tags that a web master needs to post in search engines. We can help you prepare the structures and the plans you will need to do aggressive web marketing. Back To FAQ

Q: When is the best time to begin working with you?
A: Timing is extremely important. The best timing for you is determined by understanding what you need, where you are at in the process, and what stage you need to expedite or survive to move on your way. We are able to customize a service plan to fit your particular business development and publicity management needs and accommodate your personal budget. Ideally, depending on the time of the year, we come on board 6 to 8 months prior to the launch of your product in the marketplace and work with you well past the launch date. Sometimes we’re brought on board very early in the creative process to help shape career frameworks and plan business structures. The best time to start working with us depends entirely on what you want done. Back To FAQ