Editing FAQ

Q: Ours will be a corporate website. We need help defining our voice and projecting the right image. Can you help?

A: Of course! I’ve edited corporate web content for SaaS companies, consultants, neighborhood painters, online marketers, coaches, consultants--you name it! In each case, we'll discuss what you like and don't like about the existing content, as well as recommendations I may have for improvement. Then, when we're on the same page, I'll get to work.

Q: I notice you don’t have experience in my particular industry. How will you be able to edit my copy?

A: Actually, I think that my being an "outsider" is more of a plus than a minus. I'll be able to look at what you're saying and offering with fresh eyes, so you'll know if you're going overboard on jargon or assuming things about your audience that is hurting your content and ability to connect. Besides that, I’m a consummate researcher and love to learn about new things. Since I’ve been doing this work, I’ve discovered more than I could have imagined about Net Promoter, the customer reference industry, the internal workings of sales organizations, book publishing from acquisitions to production, foreclosures and the mortgage business, thermoset and thermoplastics molding, the pet product market from both the retail and distributor side, global business development and the challenges of technology firms, web design and hosting, real estate–from both the agent and consumer side, and much, much more. To answer your question, I’ll edit your content the way I edit  any content--I’ll learn as much as I can about your business and industry, and find out who your audience is, and what they want. Only then can I, or any editor, begin to work.

By the way, just because you don’t see on my site copy that represents YOUR industry doesn’t mean I haven’t edited such copy. I sign many non-disclosure agreements, which prevent me from posting certain samples to my site.

Q: I understand that you may recommend additional, gap-filling content as you work through our materials. Will you be able to develop that additional content as well?

A: Yes. One of my specialties is developing original content.  If I write new content for you, I'll make sure that the voice and style of the new content fits with the voice and style of your existing content. And, naturally, I’ll make sure the new content is keyword-rich and optimized for search.

Q: Do you edit brochures, flyers, ebooks, and direct mail letters?

A: Yes, but keep in mind that I work primarily with content. I’m not a designer, although I do think visually and have a good sense of what works and what doesn’t. If you’d like me to work directly with your designer, and to suggest improvements in layout and graphical elements, please let me know.

Q: Do you offer retainer-based services?

A: Yes. If you head a busy marketing or sales department, or if you’re an entrepreneur wearing many hats in a rapidly growing business, you may need on-going assistance for, say:

• Blog post editing
• Proposal editing
• PowerPoint presentation editing
• White paper editing
• Case study editing
• Training material editing
• Web content editing
• Email editing

In such cases, we can work out a retainer relationship whereby I commit to a certain number of hours per week or per month at a guaranteed hourly rate and with guaranteed priority service. Please drop me a line if you’re interested in engaging me for a retainer-based relationship with your company.

Q: What if I don’t like your work?

A: If you don’t like what you’ve read on my site … if you don’t like the samples in my portfolio … then I beg of you, please, don’t hire me! It’s important that you like your editor's way with words, especially if you're hiring me for more than a line edit. On the other hand, if you DO like what you “hear,” here and throughout this website, then I can almost guarantee that you will like what I do for you. And if for some reason I miss the mark on my first draft (which is quite rare because of the time I spend researching and asking questions beforehand), just let me know. My fee always includes a round of in-scope revisions.

Q: How long will it take you to edit my content?

A: It depends on my existing schedule—and on how much editing you need. I’m typically booked two to three weeks in advance, and I often have at least one retainer client. If you engage me today, I’d schedule you in at the end of my queue. Typical times to deliver a solid first draft follow:

• Trifold brochure: 3-5 business days​
• Web content (1 page): 3 business days
• Direct mail letter (1 page): 5 business days
• Ghostwritten article (1,500 words): 7 business days
• Press release (1 page): 3 business days

Note that these are estimates only. Once I know the scope of your project, I’ll give you a solid delivery date. And, by the way, I ALWAYS strive to meet, or beat, my deadlines.

Q: How do we get started?

A: Send me a note through my contact form. Pick up the phone and give me a call at 828.685-7370. Or connect with me on Skype or Google Hangouts; I'm WriterRen in both places. We’ll discuss your project. I’ll give you a quote. If my fees are within your budget, then the process begins! If you prefer, fill out my online Request for Quote form by clicking the button below.

Q: How do you pronounce your last name?

A: My last name, Gregoire, sounds just like memoir. But instead of MEM-oir, it’s GREG-oire. The “e” at the end of my last name is silent. And yes, it’s French, but I married it. My maiden name is the German “Rost.” (And my first name, Renae, is pronounced like the more commonly spelled “Renee.” My mother said she didn’t want people calling me Ree-Knee, so she spelled my name RenAe.Thanks Mom!)

Q: What's something interesting or strange about you?

A: I don't know if it qualifies as "strange," but I'm a deltiologist. Don't worry; I won't make you look that up. A deltiologist is someone who collects postcards! I've been a lover of travel and cultures since my early teen years, writing away for "free" travel brochures advertised in my parent's magazines. There was no Internet back then; I had to stamp and mail actual letters! Also back then, in one of those same magazines, I discovered an ad for International Pen Friends, a company offering to connect me with "penpals," people around the world who wanted exchange letters, postcards, and perhaps even small souvenirs with me. I couldn't resist! Since then, I've jump back in and out of the penpal and postcard hobbies over the years, and it's still something I love to do -- when I have time. Oh, and I even started a postcard blog, over at www.thelaptoptraveler.com. If you visit, you'll see that it's way out of date because I've been busy serving customers and raising kids. But I haven't stopped collecting postcards.... One of these days I'll hire someone to scan my collection so I can start learning, and posting, and sharing again.