Thanks for your interest in my communication consulting services. Whether you need some help right away, or you're looking for resources to keep on file, these questions and answers will give you information about a service that can help.

• Please tell me, in a nutshell, what you do.
• What are your qualifications and experience?
• Could you tell me more about your writing services?
• What do you mean by communication expertise?
• What graphic design services do you offer?
• Who have you worked for and what do they say about you?
• How much does it cost to hire you for a project?
• How long will it take you to complete a project?
• What happens if we want to make changes to the copy or design?
• How do I order work from you?
  

Please tell me, in a nutshell, what you do.
I provide quality writing, design, and communication expertise to help clients successfully promote their products and services. I believe that well-written, well-designed materials can increase your business and contribute to your bottom line.

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What are your qualifications and experience?
I have helped many small businesses, corporations, trade associations, and public relations firms improve their communication and generate increased interest in their products and services. In addition, I have helped Members of Congress formulate policy initiatives and improve communication with constituents.

I have more than 18 years of experience in the communication field, from writing and designing brochures, newsletters, news releases, letters, and fact sheets, to implementing detailed marketing/communication plans.

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Could you tell me more about your writing services?
My specialty is taking material from a variety of sources and editing and rewriting it to make it understandable for the layperson. I am able to write clear, credible, persuasive copy about a wide range of products and services. I am also able to quickly grasp complex subjects and understand sophisticated topics.

Writing isn't something I do to pass the time—it's how I earn my bread and butter, so I put all of my skill, effort, and knowledge into every piece of copy I write. After writing hundreds of successful letters, brochures, memos, and newsletters for people like you, I've learned how to do it well.

For a typical writing project, I will—

• work with you to complete my comprehensive, copyrighted "Publication Analysis Form" so that the goals and messages of the project are clear;
  
• read previous brochures, ads, literature, and other materials you have produced;
• read articles you provide me on your industry;
• research other companies' promotional material;
• conduct telephone interviews;
• write a comprehensive outline for the proposed project and submit this outline to you for review and approval;
• write a first draft of the copy based on the approved outline and submit this copy for review and approval;
• make any and all revisions and rewrites requested by you (up to two complete rewrites).

Your prospects may never know the benefits of your product or service—unless you have writing
that gets results. When you need the kind of copy that sells, and generates leads, call me.

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What do you mean by communication expertise?
Before you start a journey, you have to know how to get there. I'll provide you with a marketing/communication roadmap to reach your destination. We'll sit down and discuss the best ways to increase your sales through improved communication. Using my copyrighted marketing/communication plan template that has proven to improve communication for my clients, we'll talk about marketing essentials, such as goals, target markets, external factors, and strategies.

After the initial meeting, I'll conduct thorough research—I'll find out what has worked for others in the same field and what can be learned from their experience. That way, we'll save time and avoid costly mistakes. Then I'll customize a plan to fit your specific needs and budget. Once the plan is complete and you've had time to review it, we'll discuss its implementation.

The plan I devise for each client is comprehensive, but that doesn't mean the entire plan will need to be implemented at once. Nor does it mean that you'll have to hire me to implement every aspect of the plan. In many cases, you might be able to implement some of the strategies yourself. Of course, I would be happy to implement the entire plan, if you wish. The plan is organized in such a way that you can pick the goals and strategies you want to concentrate on, when you want to concentrate on them. I will provide recommendations regarding what I believe to be the best course of action, but you will make the final decisions regarding when and how to spend your promotional dollars.

I can't predict how many responses my plan will pull for you. But I can—and do—guarantee your satisfaction with the services you receive.

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What graphic design services do you offer?
Working with various state-of-the art software programs, I am able to package the information I write for you in a concise, understandable, and visually pleasing manner that your clients and prospects will appreciate. I have designed such pieces as brochures, newsletters, fliers, forms, training manuals, and web sites.

I will work with you and your ideas to come up with the best presentation for your particular project. For each project, I will—

• meet with you to discuss your goals and the type of finished piece you're looking for;
• prepare a thumbnail sketch of the layout and submit this sketch for review and approval;
• make the revisions you suggest;
• produce the project using the best software for the job.

You'll find other consultants who can write and provide you with marketing advice, but you won't find many like me who can take written information and produce it in an eye-catching and visually pleasing manner. I offer one-stop shopping for all of your communication needs.

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Who have you worked for and what do they say about you?
Larry J. Fairman, Chief Executive Officer of IntraVue Marketing Communications, says, "Shannon was an extremely important representative of our firm with our clients, team members and the community. And while her duties included the traditional PR activities of written communications and media relations, project management, marketing coordination and client service, I suggest that she could successfully manage just about any opportunity that involved the use of her mind, her pen and her people skills."

Bob Black, the inventor of Clean Shower, the #1 selling brand of shower cleaner in the United States, says, "Shannon GaNun was our first public relations representative. She was instrumental in getting us started and in securing my first television appearances. We really appreciate her help in laying the foundations of what has become a very successful company. I would highly recommend Mrs. GaNun."

"I relied on Shannon as a valuable member of my staff," says Charles J. Luken, a former Member of Congress. "She demonstrated great initiative and dependability, as well as an ability to effectively manage many tasks at once. Shannon's ability to pay attention to details and to organize her priorities were essential to the operation of my Congressional office. Shannon also has the talent for communicating ideas and issues in a clear, concise manner. In fact, her written communications skills are among the best I have seen."

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How much does it cost to hire you for a project?
For any assignment—whether it's developing a marketing plan from scratch or simply writing one element of a plan you've already developed—just let me know what you have in mind and I'll quote you a price. The "Schedule of Estimated Fees" gives typical prices for a variety of projects.

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How long will it take you to complete a project?
The amount of time it will take to complete an assignment will vary with the size of the project, but here's a rough guideline:

• Letter, press release, short article, or other short piece: 1 week
• Marketing/communication plan, brochure, feature article, or other medium-length assignment: 2 weeks
• Newsletter, communication campaign (with a series of information), press kit, report, sales packet, or other major project: 3-4 weeks
• Manual, lengthy document, or other large project involving extensive research, editing, or rewrites: 4-6 weeks

It takes time to create the best possible product, which is what you want and deserve. That being said, I understand there may be times when you're on deadline, and need it fast. If this is the case, give me a call—I'll try my best to accommodate your schedule. I go the extra mile to satisfy clients.

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What happens if we want to make changes to the copy or design?
Most clients are pleased and enthusiastic about my work when they receive it, but if you are not 100 percent satisfied, I will revise the job according to your specifications. All you need to do is tell me what you want improved and what changes to make, and I'll make them—fast. Revisions are included in the price, provided they are assigned within 30 days of your receipt of the project and are not based on a change in the assignment made after the project is submitted.

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How do I order work from you?
Give me a call or send me an email letting me know what you have in mind. Send me a brochure or other literature that will give me the background information I need to work on the job. You don't have to worry about organizing the information—I'll do that. If you prefer, we can get together to go over the job in person.

Once we decide on the specific parameters of the job, I'll get to work. If I have any questions, I'll pick up the phone and ask. You will receive your project on or before the deadline date. Remember, I guarantee your satisfaction with the services you receive.

You'll like having a communication consultant on call who works only when you need her. And you'll like the results. I provide each client with personal service and superior work at a minimum cost, and I provide reliable service, on time and within budget. Because I do not require a minimum fee, you can sample a small portion of my services before committing to a larger contract.

Dozens of firms have found my work ideal for promoting their products and services. Why not try my service for your next project? I promise you'll be pleased with the results.

Put my cost-effective, results-oriented communication services to work for you. Contact me at shannon@shannonganun.com for a free, no obligation estimate on your next project.

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