Metropolitan Kansas City has a wealth of highly skilled freelance writers, proofreaders, editors, graphic designers, photographers and other providers of writing support services.  As a group, they can meet virtually any writing-related need.  Here is a list of some of the services they can provide for you.

Scroll Down or Select & Click from the following list:

• Sixteen Services Freelancers Can Provide

• Working with Freelancers for the First Time

• Guidelines for a Letter of Agreement

• Sample Letter of Agreement

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Sixteen Services Freelancers Can Provide For You

 

Writing

• Research and write business documents: newsletters, annual reports, brochures, web page copy, white papers, speeches, business plans, etc.

• Create advertising copy, marketing materials and public relations campaigns.

• Write or ghostwrite books and articles about any topic.

• Translate complex technical information into simple, easy-to-understand instructional manuals and related documentation.

• Develop resumes.

• Write grant proposals.

• Create scripts, ranging from training tapes and infomercials to skits, plays and film scripts.

• Prepare personalized poems, toasts and tributes for anniversaries, birthdays, weddings and other special occasions.

• Develop creative written materials -- including essays, short stories, commentaries, family histories, poems and inspirational pieces – about any topic.

 

Writing Enhancement 

• Personally coach all level of writers, giving them the feedback and guidance they need to improve their nonfiction or creative writing skills.

• Professionally edit written materials, ranging from business documents to fiction, poetry and other creative efforts.

• Provide a full range of publishing services to help writers publish their work.

• Proofread documents for clarity as well as for grammar and other errors.

• Type and transcribe all kinds of materials.

• Create graphic designs and illustrations for professional and personal projects: company logos, books, newsletters, web pages, etc.

• Produce photographs that enhance the written word.

Working with Freelancers for the First Time

 

Suggestions

 

Perhaps you are not accustomed to working with freelance writers and other creative freelance talent.  You may wonder if freelancers provide the kind of high-quality services that are available, for example, through a corporate communications department or an advertising agency.  Most of the freelancers in this directory are seasoned professionals who perform top-notch work that is highly competitive with others in their field.

 

Selecting the right freelancer for your specific project is the most important first step.  Here are a few tips to help you establish a successful consumer/freelancer relationship.

• First, understand that not every freelancer is right for every project. A good way to refine your search is to review the professional profiles (page x) of the freelancers who appear to possess the skills you are seeking, such as business writing or graphic design.

• Meet with one or more of the writers or other freelancers who seem most appropriate for your project.

• Request and review samples of their writing or other work.

• Ask for professional references and check them out.  You'll be glad you did.  For example, a freelancer with excellent work samples may be hard to work with or unreliable in meeting deadlines.

• Explain your project to the freelancer and ask for an estimate of the cost.

• If you decide to proceed, you or the freelancer should create a letter of agreement, which is the equivalent of a contract.

Guidelines for a Letter of Agreement

 

There is no set format for a letter of agreement.  However, most typically cover the following areas:

• Nature of the Project
     --This includes what the freelancer will be responsible for, such as writing a newsletter or designing an organizational logo, and what the client will be responsible for, such as providing background materials and arranging for printing services.

• Description of the Specific Product the Freelancer Will Deliver
     --This can be very simple, such as a four-page newsletter containing 1,800-2,200 words.  If the freelancer will be responsible for any other project-related products or services, such as photography, this should be specified.

• Project Costs
     --The cost of a project is usually based on the estimated number of hours a writer or other freelancer will work.   Sometimes the project cost is a range (such as $1,200-$1,500) and includes a maximum amount the client will pay.  Other projects, especially those that are less concrete in nature, are open-ended, meaning the freelancer will be paid a specified hourly rate for every hour he/she works.  Be sure to include any other expenses, such as mileage or long-distance phone costs, that the client will pay in addition to the freelancer's fee.

• Timeline 
    --This should list specific dates, such as when the first draft is due and when the final draft is due.

• Terms of Payment
     --This should outline how the freelancer will be paid.  In a new professional relationship, it is common for the client to pay up to half down at the beginning of the project and the balance within 15-30 days after the final product is delivered.  (This is another good reason to check references.)

• Other Potential Considerations
     --If there are copyright concerns, consult an attorney.

Every letter of agreement is different, depending on the needs of the client and the work requirements of the freelancer. These guidelines and the sample letter of agreement that follows are intended to serve only as a guide.  They are not intended to cover all possible issues.  Consult with an attorney for more specific information.

 
Sample Letter of Agreement
Download a copy of this letter  ► MS Word Format    or    ► PDF Format