About
Write to the Point is just me – Stephen Sheldon. I’ve been a writer, journalist, copywriter and editor for most of my 30-year working life.
I’m based in Coogee, one of Sydney’s eastern beaches. I work from a home office, and love it that way. (But I’m also happy to work out of a client’s office when the need arises.)
I’ve been a copywriter
As a copywriter, I’ve written for lots of clients, big and small. Check out my client list. I’ve written pretty much everything that can be written – headlines, posters, brochures, newsletters, media releases, CVs, company profiles, training manuals, speeches, sales letters, annual reports…
I’ve been a journalist
I’ve been Australian correspondent for the US news service, United Press International. For UPI, I wrote news reports and feature stories on science and technology, medicine, business and finance, economics, religion, politics, environment and sport. My articles were published, reproduced and read around the world.
I also spent many happy years as a ‘stringer’ covering sport for Australian Associated Press. I had numerous articles published in major Australian newspapers, including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Sun-Herald, The Telegraph and The Australian.
I’ve done other stuff, too
For many years, I’ve also worked as an environmental consultant. This gives me a unique ability to write about complex and technical issues in a way that is easily understood. It’s a skill that’s valued by developers, engineers, architects, scientists and academics.
And I’ve worked as an economist. Which means I’m equally at ease writing about economics, finance and business.
And I try to have fun
I’m a bit of a sports tragic. In my spare time, I play football and futsal, and coach and referee (it’s great for developing a thick hide!). I also fit in tennis, snorkelling, surfing, skiing, cycling, yoga, music, photography, reading and travel.
Education
1978–81 BEc (Honours), University of Sydney
1971–76 North Sydney Boys High School
Work*
2005–present Copywriter, Write to the Point
2003–2004 Technical writer and Associate, Manidis Roberts
2000–2002 Australian correspondent, United Press International (Washington)
1988–2000 Technical writer and Associate, Manidis Roberts Consultants
1986–88 Technical writer and consultant, Cameron McNamara Consultants
1985 Freelance writer
1982–84 Economist and writer, Commonwealth Bank of Australia
* While working for these employers, I also worked part-time as a freelance writer, producing copy for numerous news organisations and private clients.
As a copywriter, I can provide ideas. But I need direction. So, when you contact me, think about your:
- Budget.
- Objectives – are you wanting to sell, or tell, or both?
- Audience – who is your primary audience? Is there a secondary audience?
- Medium – do you need a brochure, poster, booklet, newsletter, website, etc?
- Start date.
- Deadline – for draft and final copy.
- Material – how will I get the information? Data sheets, verbal briefing, web search?
I’m more than happy to bounce around some ideas with you.
When we’ve agreed on a scope of work, I’ll provide you with a quote. Once you approve it, it’s time to start.
You can have an hourly rate
Like most copywriters, I charge an hourly rate. It’s the fairest way for you, and for me. That’s because you only pay for the time I work.
A lot of clients shop around for what looks like the best hourly rate. A word of advice: this may not get you what you want. Cheapest price does not always mean best value.
Check out my testimonials. Feel free to phone my past clients. If that doesn’t give you a level of comfort, then keep on shopping around.
Or a fixed fee
If you absolutely, positively require a fixed fee for copywriting, then I’m happy to provide one. I’ll itemise everything.
If you have a set budget, then that’s fine, too. Tell me your copywriting budget and your objectives, and I’ll tell you what I can do. If I think your budget is about right, then away we go. If I feel it’s too high or too low, I’ll let you know.
Or an upper limit fee
Sometimes, it’s just too hard to provide a firm copywriting quote, so I’ll suggest an upper limit fee and work to that. If I go under the limit, I’ll only charge for the time I’ve worked. It’s a system favoured by a lot of my clients, who know I don’t believe in ripping them off.
How I quote
I base my copywriting estimate on:
- The number of pages you want me to write.
- The words per page.
- The level of ‘finish’ you’re after.
- Whether I need to do research. (Usually, clients give me the info on which to base my copywriting; at other times they leave it to me to research. Sometimes it’s a bit of both.)
- Whether weekend work or late night work is required to meet a crunch deadline.
- The number of meetings (most projects don’t have any).
- Travel time (most projects don’t have any).
I don’t charge administration time or disbursements for stationery, technology, etc.
My hourly rate
I charge $110 per hour, plus GST. (If you’re outside Australia, GST doesn’t apply).