Getting Started with The Ink Rat

Maybe you emailed and we had a chat. Maybe you wonder what happens when we start to work together?

My primary focus when we first connect is to understand you. Who are you? What do you do? What are your expectations? This is an ongoing process with every person I meet, and one I will never tire of, but is also the most challenging part of our working relationship. I’m asking you to reflect on yourself with an almost virtual stranger.

I will have questions!

I start by sending you a few questions to consider. Don’t worry, you don’t have to reply and send your responses back. More likely, we’ll go through it together over a call and you’ll talk through the answers with me. That way you don’t have to get bogged down in any writing, which is half the reason you got in touch with me in the first place, right?

After I have some background and understand your needs, I send you a proposal to check I understand your requirements. Once you’ve approved it, I get started on the work.

I work from home mainly. During term time, you have my undivided attention from 9 am to 3 pm during the week. Sometimes I carry on into the evening if I have lots of work on. I’m always keen to get your work back to you as soon as possible. I know how frustrating it is to wait when you’re keen to get cracking on a website revamp, book, new service or product launch.

Breaking it down…

I research, write and edit in 30-minute bursts. This is important as it means I track the time I spend on your stuff carefully. I even add all my hours to a timesheet every day. Even though you get a fixed project quote most times, this means I have better information each time I work with someone new on how long projects take and what is involved. The better I manage the project, the quicker and higher quality your outcome.

During school holidays (why oh why are there so many?), I time block my calendar so you are prioritised and I know where to squeeze in the kids’ activities.

I research and write, then edit and rewrite. I am busier and busier every month. I’ve recently opened a waitlist system so you have the chance to consider timing and I make sure I meet your expectations.

How Does The Ink Rat Prioritise Your Needs?

I normally work on 4 to 5 separate projects during any one month. Any more than that is challenging. I prefer working with people on an ongoing basis so I might work with 7 to 8 businesses in total over the course of a year. I prefer to service you well and keep on working with you, rather than going through the time investment (for both of us) of getting to know new people.

My marketing activities happen at the end of the day and normally involve networking and connecting with the owners of businesses, which is mainly online these days, and mainly on Twitter and Instagram.

I save admin for Friday afternoons when I am happy to catch up on paperwork with music playing in the background. I’ve tried all sorts of productivity music, but I concentrate best with country and western music playing, which is weird as I don’t listen to it at any other time.

I want to help you achieve your goals

You are always my top priority. I will always do my best to add maximum value to achieve your goals. I’m your writer so that you don’t have to be. I want you to be free to focus on your expertise.

If you have any other questions about working with The Ink Rat, drop me a line at rananda@theinkrat.com and you’ll hear back promptly.