No Typo Guarantee

I'm not perfect, I admit. But I am a bit of a perfectionist.

I'm committed to crafting quality articles, website content, and newsletters. If you find a typo in any written piece that I create for you, I’ll give you 10% off that item.

I know how important it is for you to look professional and if I don’t produce the highest quality, you won’t tell your colleagues about me.

I’ll make sure we both look good and you have more time to do your thing.

Ztek Design

I met with Jeff from Ztek Design last week. Jeff does website developing. His rates are very reasonable and most sites can be up within a couple of weeks. Jeff can also help with calendars, guestbooks, email blasts, and some graphic design.

On Time Guaranteed!

On-time delivery has become a very important performance criterion. How many times have you asked yourself, “Isn’t this supposed to be fast-food?” Or “Wasn’t that package supposed to be here today?”

I’ve mentioned before that one of the benefits of working with a freelancer is the quick turnaround. I can’t afford to hold on to a project. If I don’t work - I don’t get paid. I know how important it is that promises are kept and contracts are fulfilled (especially with ad campaigns). If your product or service is going to be the next big thing, it needs to get out there fast. If your sale is coming up soon, you need your copy pronto.

Please be assured that when you work with Fletcher Freelance, I know how important your schedule is. I always put forth the effort required to satisfy the client who “needs it done yesterday.”

As of today, 12/14/09, I am offering a guarantee to all my clients. I will have your work done when I say it will be done. If I have to stay up late or work on Sunday afternoon, I will (I’ve done it before). If your project is one day late I’ll give you 10% off that item. If for some reason I really underestimate and I surpass my deadline by two days, I’ll give you 20% off that piece!

Most projects I take on can be completed in a few days to a few weeks. Please call for time and cost of any rush projects.

Does My Small Business Need a Website?

In a word, yes.

Does your business have a phone number? If that seems like a silly question that’s because you understand how much business you would lose without a phone number. Today, a website is just as important (if not more important) than a phone number.

The credibility and professionalism of a business is called into question if they don’t have a website. Many consumers use the Internet in place of a phone book. If a business doesn’t have a website they are missing a large market potential. Additionally, there are often individuals that know your company name, but not how to get in touch with you. Small businesses need a website.

I know that if I’m looking to do business with a company I almost always check out their website first. Even if a company has been in business for decades (if they don't have a website) there is a lingering feeling of uncertainty.

Surprise #1

There is no need to spend $1,000s on a website. Even one simple webpage highly increases your selling potential. One page can showcase your logo, unique selling proposition, mission statement, specialties, products or services, and contact information.

The return on investment can be very high. It usually costs very little to host and maintain a website after the initial setup. A simple website may not need frequent changes or updates either.

Surprise #2

You don’t need to sell anything on your website! Don’t think that your small business needs to set up complex forms, stores, checkouts, or payment options. All you need to do is be present so that when a potential customer types in the town name and business genre they are looking for (TA-DA) you show up.

Surprise #3

It isn’t hard to get top rankings for a local market! If you were under the impression that it would take extensive time and a large budget to get a high page rank, think again. Because small businesses usually cater to local markets and fill a specific niche they are easy to find. Again, if consumers type in the city and service, likely you’ll be on the first page of search results.

Of course your site should be well written and contain the keywords that your audience will use. You will want to list your website on your marketing materials just as you would indicate your phone number. Bonus: websites are usually easier to remember than phone numbers. There are also many free directories online where you can list your website.

If you have a business, you should have a website. If you need website content or Internet Marketing help, you need fletcherfreelance.com.

TLC Professional Services

TLC Professional Services is one of those great businesses that have been around forever and finally decided it was time for a website.

Ed was very easy to work with and got the simple site he wanted.

For commercial cleaning in the Madison, WI area call TLC today. TLC gets it done right, the first time.

Did you see me? I was on WFRV Channel 5 News.

This is one of the three clips I was in that aired yesterday.  Thanks Channel 5. (It's the one about Owens)



Too bad they spelled my name wrong. I'm not "Tara Fletcher."

Ode to Owens, Inc. - The Passing of my "Day Job"

This is not how I pictured this day to be. There was no pomp. No circumstance. No great feeling of liberation. No symbolic leap taking.

I expected someday to write a blog post exclaiming that I had finally quit my day job. I imagined how that would smell, taste, and feel. There is no glory. No feeling of relief or grand accomplishment. The doors just closed.

I came to Owens as an optimistic 21 year old. I brought a fresh perspective and willingness to learn. I started entering daily production information 20 hours a week. The list of what I’ve done and learned since then is long. Professionally- I’ve grown immensely.

I became the resident Excel guru and proofreading extraordinaire. I was the keeper of data. The go-to girl. If you needed a graph or chart of sales for the last five years sorted by state and specie and profit margin and color-coded to match the salespersons’ hair color- you came to me. I dabbled in customer service and marketing. I did my time answering phones. I even filled-in on the production line, sanding doors. I could tell you the standard labor and overhead rate for a square foot of finished flooring. I could tell you the Kanban quantities that were set for French door mullion.

Personally- I’ve changed. Since I’ve been working with Owens my tastes and hobbies have grown. I’ve come to know myself better. (I now understand why they say the human mind isn’t fully developed until age 25.) I’ve rekindled my love for writing and started freelancing. My husband and I bought a house. We had our first child.

For five years I was a dedicated Owens’ employee. I hardly ever said no. I faced challenges and new assignments head-on. I’ve taken classes and attended meetings. Owens was a good place for someone like me. Someone that doesn’t do well if they get bored. Someone that needs more work than they can handle. Someone that always wanted to learn.

Now, I’m asking, “What’s next?” I have such a mix of conflicting feelings. I’ve given a lot of myself to this company. Owens was a good company that made really good products. I can’t say I’ll miss the year-end inventories that had me working (on one occasion) 18 hours straight. I don’t think I’ll miss all the sawdust. Of course, many of the people there I will miss.

When I was pregnant I thought about how nice it would be if I could work from home. For a little while I thought I was close to realizing that dream. Then things changed. After selling so many articles so fast, suddenly no one was hiring freelancers any more. I never lost the passion for writing. It got buried away a little bit, but would always resurface.

I think this entrepreneurial spirit must be in my blood. There really is no logical explanation for someone to start their own business. It must be genetic. I witnessed my parents’ business ventures and all the hassles and headaches that came with them. For some reason, that is what I want. And I have a strong desire to see businesses succeed.  Maybe that's why I like business writing so much.

I always thought someday, in my own sweet time, I’d quit that day job. Now unemployment has been thrust upon me. I didn’t take the leap, but I was nudged. The question is, “Do I jump?” All these clichés and metaphors are coming to me now. Sink or swim. Taking the leap. No there was no press release, no going away party, no well-wishers, no investors. It’s just me. Me with a pen and a little more time to do my thing.



*Thank you Owens for five great years and for this fresh start.

Shawano Area Writers

Recently I decided to attend a meeting of the Shawano Area Writers. I’m so glad that I did. This talented group meets at the Shawano Library once a month and they are also very involved in the community.

The members don’t limit their craft to writing; many are artists and musicians. Today the Shawano Area Writers paid a visit to The Cottages, an assisted living home. Here they performed for the residents. Poetry, articles, and stories were read. One writer also told a tale punctuated by songs she wrote for the violin. It was a lot of fun.

I look forward to getting to know this group better. The objective of the group is to help each other grow in their art and to become published authors.

If you’d like to read the poems I performed today they can be found here and here.

KDesign & Photography

Thank you Kristy! KDesign & Photography came to my aid once more. Kristy helped me with my new logo and graphics for my site.