Why words by kurt doesn't issue quotes
Quite simply, neither we nor our clients have any need for quotations.
The typical process works like this. Client contacts Company to express interest in performing service and to field final questions. Company answers questions. Client requests quote and waits for Company to respond. Company spends time assessing job and provides quote. Client spends time deciding whether or not to accept quote. And back and forth it goes . . . causing both Client and Company to spend time that might be compensated . . . or then again, perhaps not.
The process at words by kurt respects time --- both yours and ours. We publish per-word rates on our website (which, in fact, appear directly below this paragraph). You determine the number of words in the document you want edited and calculate your total job cost per our simple, two-step pricing policy. If you decide to hire us, contact us to confirm the job, agree on a deadline, and make payment arrangements. We then deliver to you an edited document per our agreement. Simple, efficient, and respectful of everyone's time.
The typical process works like this. Client contacts Company to express interest in performing service and to field final questions. Company answers questions. Client requests quote and waits for Company to respond. Company spends time assessing job and provides quote. Client spends time deciding whether or not to accept quote. And back and forth it goes . . . causing both Client and Company to spend time that might be compensated . . . or then again, perhaps not.
The process at words by kurt respects time --- both yours and ours. We publish per-word rates on our website (which, in fact, appear directly below this paragraph). You determine the number of words in the document you want edited and calculate your total job cost per our simple, two-step pricing policy. If you decide to hire us, contact us to confirm the job, agree on a deadline, and make payment arrangements. We then deliver to you an edited document per our agreement. Simple, efficient, and respectful of everyone's time.
words by kurt pricing policies
Basic Rates for Services
The base per-word rate used to calculate charges depends on the service provided.
The base per-word rate used to calculate charges depends on the service provided.
Content editing
Copy editing Family history editing Technical editing Consulting services |
$0.020 / word
$0.005 / word 25% off preliminary charge $0.050 /word $90 / hour |
Our Policy for Calculating Job Costs
We charge our clients a single fee based on a simple two-step method.
➊ First, determine your preliminary cost by multiplying the total number of words in your document by the appropriate per-word rate.
As an example, let's say a client wants content editing for a nonfiction book of 12500 words. The preliminary charge would be (12500 words) x ($0.020 / word) = $250.00. If that book were a family history, you would then take a 25% discount to yield a preliminary charge of ($250.00) x 0.75 = $187.50.
➋ Second, determine your final cost (which is the amount you actually pay) by taking the greater of your preliminary charge and the minimum charge of $50.00 for all jobs. If the preliminary charge is less than $50.00, then the final cost is $50.00. If the preliminary charge is $50.00 or more, then the final cost is the preliminary charge.
Returning to our earlier example, $250.00 is more than $50.00, so the final cost of the job would be $250.00. If the book in this example is a family history, then the final cost would be $187.50 (since $187.50 is more than $50.00).
Our Payment Policy
In order to discourage clients who would commission our services and then disappear without paying, words by kurt has adopted a payment-in-advance policy for all clients.
For all jobs with a final cost less than $200.00, the full final cost is due up front. Payment must be made before work begins. However, clients with a final job cost of $200.00 or more may elect to pay the full cost up front OR pay half upfront as a retainer and half upon delivery of the edited document.
Continuing with our earlier example, $250.00 is more than $200.00, so this client could pay $250.00 up front OR pay ($250.00)x(0.50) = $125.00 up front and $125.00 upon delivery of the edited document. However, if the book in this example is a family history, then the client must pay $187.50 up front (since $187.50 is less than $200.00).
For payment purposes, we consider each submitted document as a separate job. Thus, a client who provides us with two documents for editing together will pay two final costs, one for the first document, and another for the second. However, the client may make a single payment for the total amount needed to begin work on both documents.
For all jobs, please contact us to make payment arrangements when you submit your document(s).
We charge our clients a single fee based on a simple two-step method.
➊ First, determine your preliminary cost by multiplying the total number of words in your document by the appropriate per-word rate.
As an example, let's say a client wants content editing for a nonfiction book of 12500 words. The preliminary charge would be (12500 words) x ($0.020 / word) = $250.00. If that book were a family history, you would then take a 25% discount to yield a preliminary charge of ($250.00) x 0.75 = $187.50.
➋ Second, determine your final cost (which is the amount you actually pay) by taking the greater of your preliminary charge and the minimum charge of $50.00 for all jobs. If the preliminary charge is less than $50.00, then the final cost is $50.00. If the preliminary charge is $50.00 or more, then the final cost is the preliminary charge.
Returning to our earlier example, $250.00 is more than $50.00, so the final cost of the job would be $250.00. If the book in this example is a family history, then the final cost would be $187.50 (since $187.50 is more than $50.00).
Our Payment Policy
In order to discourage clients who would commission our services and then disappear without paying, words by kurt has adopted a payment-in-advance policy for all clients.
For all jobs with a final cost less than $200.00, the full final cost is due up front. Payment must be made before work begins. However, clients with a final job cost of $200.00 or more may elect to pay the full cost up front OR pay half upfront as a retainer and half upon delivery of the edited document.
Continuing with our earlier example, $250.00 is more than $200.00, so this client could pay $250.00 up front OR pay ($250.00)x(0.50) = $125.00 up front and $125.00 upon delivery of the edited document. However, if the book in this example is a family history, then the client must pay $187.50 up front (since $187.50 is less than $200.00).
For payment purposes, we consider each submitted document as a separate job. Thus, a client who provides us with two documents for editing together will pay two final costs, one for the first document, and another for the second. However, the client may make a single payment for the total amount needed to begin work on both documents.
For all jobs, please contact us to make payment arrangements when you submit your document(s).
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
-Chinese proverb
Expectations on deliverables
The typical deliverable is a PDF copy of each submitted document containing comments on what changes are recommended and why they are suggested. However, upon customer request, words by kurt will provide polished documents with recommended changes already made.
In accordance with an ancient Chinese proverb, words by kurt prefers to help everyone become better writers rather than "do writing" for everyone. Suggesting changes to writing rather than simply making those changes frees the customer to control changes in content. The customer (i.e. the writer) decides what to adopt and what to reject.
Like the old Chinese proverb, give a man the right words and he is happy for a day, but teach a man to be a better writer and he is happy for a lifetime. (OK, some license was taken, but that is how it goes for writers!)
Contact words by kurt today to discuss your editing needs!
The typical deliverable is a PDF copy of each submitted document containing comments on what changes are recommended and why they are suggested. However, upon customer request, words by kurt will provide polished documents with recommended changes already made.
In accordance with an ancient Chinese proverb, words by kurt prefers to help everyone become better writers rather than "do writing" for everyone. Suggesting changes to writing rather than simply making those changes frees the customer to control changes in content. The customer (i.e. the writer) decides what to adopt and what to reject.
Like the old Chinese proverb, give a man the right words and he is happy for a day, but teach a man to be a better writer and he is happy for a lifetime. (OK, some license was taken, but that is how it goes for writers!)
Contact words by kurt today to discuss your editing needs!
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