Does your website or Facebook page say whether you charge for advice? Do you reveal why you’re in business, who your clients are, and why? If you don’t, you may attract clients who disrespect you and your work.
Speaking to your audience in concrete terms can sort the serious buyers from the tire-kickers. The details you provide may click with clients who will value you and your expertise. Because we tend to attract what we reflect. When you communicate your values clearly, you engage customers who respect them.
How Your Messaging Affects Who You Attract
If your copy isn’t clear, you can reach the wrong clients — ones who don’t value your work.
I learned this lesson the hard way. When I started Classy Writing over ten years ago, I marketed to every business. Many of the small business owners I spoke with had limited budgets and often wrote their own copy.
My marketing content also didn’t explain my services clearly enough.
When I made little headway, I narrowed my focus to my successes with service providers (like law firms, insurance companies, and healthcare organizations). I surveyed this market to better understand their writing problems.
As a fellow service provider, I empathized with their problems. I then fine-tuned my messaging and offered clearer solutions.
But sometimes I still attracted the wrong clients.
That happens when your values and work process aren’t clear — just as mine weren’t. Your copy can fail to be convincing enough to gain interest. Clear messaging helps sharpen your image. When your brand voice is clear, the right clients will find you. I’ve seen this shift happen firsthand.
My Core Beliefs and How I Reflect Them in My Work
You deserve content that respects your customers and shows empathy for their problems. That’s why I focus on writing that attracts the right clients — those who will respect you and your work and ask you to solve their problems.
SELECTED PAST CLIENTS
Think We’re a Match?
Let’s see if we share similar values.
More About You
Who You Are
✅ You take pride in how others see your business.
✅ You know how passive voice and business jargon weaken writing.
✅ You see hiring a writer as an investment that yields returns, not an expense.
✅ You want strong, clear messaging — and trust me to deliver it.
✅ You value trust, fairness, and mutual respect in your business relationships.
✅ You treat your customers and contractors as you’d like to be treated — not as a commodity.
How You Communicate
✅ You know your strengths — and where you need help.
✅ You express what you need (or ask when you’re unsure).
✅ You don’t believe in ghosting. If a problem arises, you address it professionally.
✅ You reply within two business days.
How You Work
✅ You respect the creative process and understand the value of a flat fee, which prevents cost overruns.
✅ You don’t expect copy “yesterday.”
✅ You provide detailed briefs so I can do my best work.
✅ You let me work within my Monday–Friday business hours.
✅ You’re open to agreements beyond NDAs, even for test projects.
✅ You’ve worked with creative professionals before.
This applies to everyone, by the way, including marketing agencies. 🙂
Are We a Match?
Here’s how we can work together.
If you don’t possess some or all of the above attributes, you might reconsider working with me. That’s fair, because no one can serve every client. But if we’re a good fit, I’d be happy to help you sharpen your image to gain the right customers.
Michelle is efficient, professional, and her work is timely and accurate. She is a joy to work with and is always quick to address any problems or concerns.
Barbara Walsh, Former Executive Director, The Winthrop Lakes Region Chamber of CommERCE