QMSC FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We know you have questions, which is why the initial consultation is always free. But here are some common questions and answers to get you started.

1. What Are Your Rates?

We need to know more about your project to give you a specific estaimate or price. However, QMSC generally works on a flat fee. In some cases, if the situation is appropriate, we can do an hourly rate or even a retainer. Call and let's discuss your project, your budget and how we can cost-effectively meet your needs.

2. Where Are You Located?

QMSC is based in Warrensburg, Missouri — a pleasant college town about an hour east of Kansas City, MO, and about fifteen minutes west of Whiteman Air Force Base, home of the Stealth Bomber. If that seems distant, just remember: we're in Kansas City regularly for meetings, and we're highly experienced at working on “vitural” teams all over the country, communicating by phone, Internet, email, fax and express delivery.

3. What Types Of Projects Do You Work On?

We work on all types of projects, including print, web, presentations (Power Point and traditional), speeches, narrative video/film scripts and interactive media scripts (including e-learning courses.)

We work on everything from the simplest project to the most complex. In fact, many clients turn to us for help when they have a particularly complicated project and aren't sure what to do next. We are also the best resource for long-form writing and what are traditionally called "strategic" communications.

4. What Kinds Of Clients Do You Work With?

Some copywriters specialize in one industry or another. At QMSC, we work across all industries. We can do that for two reasons:

1) We apply the classic Communication Model to any challenge, clarifying your message and adapting it to your specific audience in a way that overcomes obstacles.

2) We're quick learners: we've surprised more than one client with how quickly we can learn and understand your business — and your communication challenge — no matter how creative, technical or . . . unusual. That's in part because we start out knowing more than you might think about your industry.

Think about it: we've worked on projects for healthcare technology, dairy goat production, storm water engineering, transportation, medieval history, and modern education — just to name a few topics. Complementing QMSC's work is Chanda K. Zimmerman's background in politics and government, where she wrote on everything from taxes to agriculture, from workman's comp to hazardous waste. In each case, the subject may change, but the communication process never does.

Not convinced? Then call us, and let's test how fast we can come up to speed. QMSC loves a good challenge!

5. How Do You Work?

Generally, we discuss what you have in mind, define the project and scope, and establish a billing procedure. After that, it depends on the project.

For some projects, it's just a matter of gathering information and setting a schedule for submitting drafts, getting reviews, and revising and resubmitting. For other projects, I sometimes suggest a "mock up" to show a client how we envision the flow of something like a big Power Point, or provide a "discussion" document to get everyone in agreement on what we're envisioning.

On large, complex visual projects such as interactive media, I may work directly with graphic designers to refine a creative concept I've suggested to the contracting client, or we may flesh out a sort of “storyboard” to define the visual elements before going to a final script. I often work directly with talent on voice or music recording to adjust the language and pacing, and sometimes sit with a graphic designer as we work our way through Power Point slides. However, for smaller clients or projects, I may actually do the Power Point slides myself.

So you can see, it just depends on what's needed to take your project from idea to final form. Call me and let's discuss what you have in mind and see how QMSC can help!