ECoverFX

Scheduling

Ok, here it is guys and gals – the infamous “Schedule.”

Let me briefly explain (if that’s possible) – how I work over here in ECoverFX land. First off, I have two boys – ages 8 and almost 5 now… that keep me pretty busy during the days. We’re homeschoolers, so I have to help the boys do school stuff for one. Then there is the laundry, the cooking, the cleaning and other various assorted duties. This means that I’m not usually available during the day – unless the kids are conveniently otherwise occupied.

I am located in Ohio, in the Northeastern portion of the United States – so I use Eastern Standard time. People in other countries usually find my schedule agreeable, because it’s daytime for them when I’m usually working.

Mostly I work nights, anywhere from 5pm when the hubby gets home on through to sometimes 5am. Yes, I’m the one that gets the LEAST amount of sleep in the whole household. It’s not uncommon to get emails from me at 4am. Sometimes I can even pull one off before noon – but that’s rare.

I do work on holidays when I’m not overly pressed on family functions, and even weekends too! Sometimes I even get a WHOLE weekend DAY to work, which is really cool for me. Especially if someone else takes the boys out of my office.

Therefore, I’m usually available. Still, sometimes it may take me 3 days or better to finish up an ebook cover. This may sound like a long time for you, but consider this:

• I have my own work (not related to ecover design) and my own websites to attend to… so if a site has issues, I have to fix it.
• Emails, support tickets and other things can put me behind – sometimes they can take up the better portion of two hours.
• Kids – need I say more?
• Limited working hours, mostly at night – and if I fall asleep just ONE night that puts me a whole day behind.
• Sick – if the boys catch something I’m usually either taking care of them, or dealing with the “sick” myself.

So figuring in all those factors – you can see why it might take me a few days to complete your ecover. Other times it can take 2-3 hours even 12 – and a first draft will be waiting in your inbox. Just depends on how busy I am, and what all is going on at the time.

On the plus side… I do not usually accept payment up front. There is a reason for this. I actually value the “trust” factor – and I will trust you until you give me a good reason not to.

People are basically good, and I tend to go with that. No need for a paylink on this site anymore – because everyone emails me first anyhow. It’s kind of goofy to have a paylink on this site when:

1. I have a full 100% money back guarantee. Why should you pay me, not like the cover I create (for any reason) – then have to ask me about a refund. No time for that. Stressful for you, stressful for me.
2. I’ll work on your ebook cover until you are completely happy with it. If I can’t make you happy – I will send you to another designer that can. There are many designers that have a different “style” than I do, and if I think you fit with them better – I will send you to them.
3. You will have questions that cannot be answered through a paylink. You can email me anytime and I will answer your questions. Why should YOU be the one that puts their trust in ME first, instead of the other way around?

So, you see – I’m not one of those people that has to demand payment up front. Or even half up front and half on delivery. I have done that in the past, and will occasionally still to this day… but only if it’s a really big job. There is always the option of “watermarking” images – and leaving a .zip file BEHIND a paylink if my gut tells me something isn’t right. I rarely do that either, but I CAN.

Wasn’t this supposed to be “brief?” LOL!

I’m trying out a “new method” of marketing here, called “truth marketing”. I see no reason to “hype” myself up, or create a big ole long sales page just for an ebook cover service. My work stands on it’s own – and you either like my style or you don’t. Believe me, I’m busy enough already… don’t need to tell you all the benefits of having a nice ebook cover. You already know right?

So I’d be preaching to the choir anyhow.

Hopefully you get the message – that I’d be quite happy to help you with your ebook cover (or other graphics) as long as you understand the “schedule” such as it is. I do my best to go as quick as I can, and you won’t lose any money by starting here. If you DO by chance have some gosh awful experience, I’ll find another designer that can do a better job than I.

How does that sound?

Thanks!
Michelle