Work With Me
My goal with Lori Blahey Communications is to simplify your marketing as much as possible.
There's no herding cats (it's only me) or trying to juggle everything (we'll tackle the highest impact activities only).
You're in the driver's seat so we'll go as fast or slow as you want.
It's smart marketing for your small business.
Here's how I can help ...
Step 1: Start with strategy to point you in the right direction
Brand Strategy
Is your brand a bit blah? Let's define your je ne sais quoi and story. If it makes sense, we'll also do a gut check against your business strategy to make sure everything is aligned.
Marketing Strategy
Don't have a plan to get (more) customers? I'll use research and data to create a marketing strategy using offline and online channels (as appropriate) that achieves your goals.
Messaging Strategy
Company and product descriptions just not cutting it With a solid brand strategy in place, I'll craft messaging that highlights your uniqueness and speaks to your customer.
Step 2: Follow with execution to get you on your way
Implementation
What good is a strategy without follow through? I'll help with execution (as much or as little as you want) and can track and analyze the final results, too.
Marketing Audit
Already doing some marketing, but not sure what's working? I'll review everything and provide suggestions on where (and how) you can improve.
Brokering Service
Need a skill or service I don't offer? I'll find a marketing company or freelancer that fits the bill. It's as close to one-stop-shop as you can get.
Lori is a talented writer with great business acumen. Extremely detail-oriented and thorough, she turned pages of words into a well-crafted business plan for our startup.
Communication was consistent and thoughtful throughout the process.
Doug Short, Founder, Swagger Plays Inc.
Are we a good fit?
My approach is to work with a handful of small businesses at a time, starting from the beginning when they don't know how, or where, to start. This is my sweet spot. Clients get on the right path from day one, and I only get smarter the longer we work together. Win-win.
My specialty are projects that heavily text-based so everything from websites to blog posts, pitch decks, email newsletters or video scripts. For projects that rely heavily on design (e.g. video, social media graphics, signage, etc.) I can find a freelancer or agency for you.
This approach may not work based on your preferences or needs, and that's totally ok. Fit is as important to me as it is to you. If you're a small business or solopreneur looking to partner with a seasoned (ahem, older) marketing pro, from defining your brand and developing your marketing strategy right through to execution of the plan, I'm here to help.
GOOD MEAT ISN'T CHEAP. CHEAP MEAT ISN'T GOOD.
Sign above Lori's local butcher
My rates (in Canadian) are based on the quality and experience I deliver. While they're higher than the 20-something's rates on Upwork or Fiveer, they're also much lower than a full-service agency.
I'm confident you won't find better value for the price. As a one-woman-shop, I don't have any overhead or staff so you get an affordable rate that fits your tight budget.
As the sign above my local butcher says, "Good meat isn't cheap. Cheap meat isn't good."
Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs)
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Are you a graphic designer or custom web developer?While I can handle basic graphic design using programs such as Canva, I am not a trained or certified graphic designer. Similarly, I'm comfortable using online platforms such as Wordpress and Wix, but if you need a custom website, you'll need to look elsewhere. Sorry.
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Do you work with online businesses, influencers, or digital creators?If your business is purely online and heavily reliant on social media, we aren't a good fit. However, there are tons of coaches and consultants who will happily take your money so I'm confident you'll find what you need.
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What if I need help with offline marketing?Absolutely! I'm very comfortable using offline marketing strategies and depending on your business, I think they are an important (and often overlooked!) part of the marketing mix.
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What if I have a strategy and just need help with execution?If you need help with one particular aspect of your plan only (e.g. SEO, social media management, Facebook/IG ad, web design, etc.), you'd likely be better suited to an expert in this area. My preference (and skill set) is suited to small businesses and individuals who need help across a range of services over a longer period of time.
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Do you price by hour or project?My hourly rate is $65 so I can either track my time and bill that way, or provide a quote upfront based on how long I think the project will take. I'm flexible, and it ultimately depends which approach you find less scary! Regardless, I'm *very* conscious of my time since I know the cost is coming straight out of your pocket.
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What if the project goes over the allocated hours?If I provide a quote upfront, I will stick to it, even if I go over. The only exception is if the increased hours is due to a change in scope by you (e.g. you've asked for more than we originally agreed). However, if the scope is the same, and I'm just a bad guesser, I won't charge you the difference.
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What's your process for new clients?It starts with the 30-minute call to see if we're a good fit. Assuming the answer is yes, I'll put together an overview of marketing ideas and ways that I can help, based on your goals and needs. This document is at no cost to you, and part of the reason I only take on select clients. From there, we can decide which projects to tackle first. I only recommend working on 1-2 projects at a time to ensure we finish what we start. For every project, I'll provide a quote and initial timeline to avoid any surprises. A project officially starts once we have an approved quote and scope of work. Here are the steps I typically include: You send me relevant material (links, documents, presentations, notes) I may for background information. Depending on the project, I'll send you a preview for review. For example, this may be an outline of a document, or a template. My goal is to get your feedback early to make sure the final product meets your needs (and vision!). I'll update with your feedback and provide a final version for review. After a first draft, my general rule is up to three rounds of edits. However, my goal is to make sure you have a final product that achieves your goals (and makes you proud!) so I won't nickel and dime you over a few extra tweaks. Note: changes requested after a project is finalized will constitute a new project, with its own scope of work and quote. During the review process, we can meet as necessary. I realize some feedback is best communicated over a call so happy to work as required. Post-project, I can help with measurement and analysis (Note: this requires a new scope of work and quote).
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Can I see samples of your work?Great question! Due to confidentiality issues, I can't share my previous work here. However, if you contact me, I'll be happy to share.
