Frequently Asked Questions

KCW Consulting

  • I started my first communications role over 20 years ago and moved into my first marketing role about 5 years later. I’ve been going back and forth between marketing and communications ever since. I’ve worked with startups, not-for-profits, and the government both as an employee and as a consultant.

  • I work with solopreneurs, small businesses, and not-for-profit organizations. My expertise is primarily in helping service providers, but I have worked with product-based businesses as well. 

  • After 20 years in communications and marketing, I’m quite discerning about who I’ll take on as a client. If you choose to work with me, we will have established a mutual trust and respect during your free consultation to ensure it’s the right fit for both of us. 

    I give my clients a great deal of time, knowledge, and resources they can use. In return, I offer fair prices designed to factor in where they’re at in their business while accounting for the time and expertise I provide. 

    I work with you to gain an intimate understanding of your business and the goals you want to achieve so the recommendations I make are aligned with the direction you want to go. The upfront time I spend ensures you’re prioritizing the right activities and eliminating what isn’t working for you or your business.

    First and foremost, I want you to get what you need for your business and sometimes I’m not the right person to help.

    Ultimately, I’ll only work with you if I feel it’s a good fit for both of us because I want you to trust me fully and that won’t happen if the fit or timing isn’t right.

  • Through my Sharp Marketing Program, I energize my solopreneur clients with clarity on the right steps that will connect their actions to their goals. Together, we map out a realistic plan for the marketing activities that will best contribute to achieving their goals. The plan can include guidance for social/website content, networking, email marketing, and other relevant tactics. I partner with them as they carry out the plan with resources, support, and accountability to stay on track! 

    Clients who run small to medium organizations work with me to create marketing and communications strategies and messaging. These projects are larger in scale and require custom pricing to meet the specific needs of each client. 

    When I have availability, I can provide fractional support services for not-for-profit organizations who need communications help. 

  • On occasion, I take on content creation projects. However, it’s not one of my core services and I’m selective about the projects I agree to work on.

    I don’t offer social media management services. There are many extremely talented service providers who do this kind of work that I can refer you to for help.

  • Yes. You’ll typically get access to most documents as our work progresses.

    Upon receipt of your final payment, I will provide any remaining documents that haven’t already been provided.

Results & Getting Started

  • My work as a strategist is about providing clarity and direction. Most of my clients are struggling to figure out what to do and where to start. They don’t want to spend time, money and other resources if it isn’t going to accomplish their goals.

    Together, we narrow their focus and set the right intentions and priorities so they can get the most out of their limited resources. 

  • I will never guarantee any results, particularly increased sales. (And I don’t trust or recommend any marketing expert who does.)

    That’s not something anyone can guarantee, even if they are actively involved in your sales processes. Increased sales is almost always one of the goals my clients have, but it takes time to build sales momentum. 

    Additionally, sales results depend on a diverse range of factors, including buyer budgets, size of your audience/network, life events that divide attention, fluctuating audience reach and engagement, amongst others. While I’m really good at what I do, and that includes working to mitigate these factors, they’re still outside of your control and mine. 

    Together, we determine the best possible way for you to reach your goals based on what you’re able to commit to do, along with the structure and direction you need to do the work. 

    I don’t make any guarantees except that after working with me:

    • you’ll feel empowered with greater clarity and confidence about what to do to grow your business, 

    • you’ll have a better understanding of marketing, and 

    • I’ll make sure your marketing plan will be realistic for you.

  • I start every client off with a free 30-minute consultation so we can get to know each other and explore the fit.

    Sometimes, I figure out a client is better served by someone else. This meeting gives us a chance to figure out if working together is the right step for you with minimal time commitment and no risk. 

    Click here to book your consultation.

  • The consultation form includes a number of questions that will help me understand your situation and what we should discuss during the consultation. Fill in as much as you’re comfortable with and we’ll go from there.

Investment & Not-for-Profits

  • The level of investment will depend on your needs and budget. I’ve created a variety of options for every budget and size of organization. The Magnificent Marketers Club is my most radically generous offer and is the easiest way to get started working with me. It’s perfect for newer business owners, and businesses with a tight marketing budget.

    The Sharp Marketing Program starts at $5,000 and goes up to $16,000, depending on the length of time you want to work together. 

    When you need me for consulting engagements, including strategy, messaging development, and other markcomm projects, I use information about your needs to create a custom proposal for your review to ensure everything is addressed.

  • Yes. With every client, I want my services to be accessible and I’m happy to break down payments to make it easier for you. 

    I provide a payment schedule in proposals for consulting engagements, though I do require 50% up front for most engagements. 

    When pricing fractional support contracts, I charge daily rates with potential for a reduced rate if your needs go beyond an agreed upon threshold of days.

    Whenever possible, I aim to set a flat rate for any and all services so you know what to expect.

  • I don’t negotiate pricing. I’ve done extensive work to ensure my prices are fair and reasonable for the work I’m doing. My clients benefit from my years of expertise at a significantly reduced rate compared to most agencies and other consultants.

    Sometimes there is room for negotiation on larger projects, though it may require adjusting the scope of work to reduce the price.

  • Yes, I maintain a discounted schedule of pricing for my work with not-for-profit organizations.

  • I do occasionally provide services pro bono for causes I’m passionate about when I have capacity. However, I’m currently unavailable for additional volunteer activities.

Still have questions?

Let’s talk through what you’re working on and figure out the best next step together.

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