What if I’m not sure what I need?

That’s ok; that’s what a Discovery Call is for!

After applying, you’ll be prompted to schedule your free 30-minute Discovery Call, during which we’ll discuss in detail both your high-level ambitions and practical objectives for your business.

With years of experience and hundreds of client success stories behind us, we’re confident in our ability to fully comprehend your unique goals and form a customized plan that will meaningfully support your success.

All projects are personalized, and we promise to be honest with you about what you need. We’ll never push you toward something you don’t. 

Generally, what do you recommend?

Depending on your business type, and according to the general guidance below, please familiarize yourself with the following Sela Vie services ahead of your Discovery Call, so that we can steward your time with the best efficiency and understanding.

Typically, we recommend 

• For commerce businesses at their origin: Business Consulting, Brand Photography, Brand Strategy + Design, Brand Messaging + Copywriting, Shopify Website, Marketing Collateral

• For service businesses at their origin: Business Consulting, Brand Photography, Brand Strategy + Design, Brand Messaging + Copywriting, Squarespace Website

• For established commerce businesses re-investing in their digital assets: Brand Photography, Brand Messaging + Copywriting, Shopify Website, Marketing Collateral

• For established service businesses re-investing in their digital assets: Brand Photography, Brand Messaging + Copywriting, Squarespace Website, Marketing Collateral

• For any business for whom organic website traffic is important: at least Shopify or Squarespace Design, Brand Messaging + Copywriting

• For any business for whom complex website functionality is important: at least Shopify or Squarespace Design

*Should you decline to purchase Brand Strategy + Design, Brand Messaging + Copywriting, or Brand Photography services, please be prepared to supply those components to any Website Design project.

*Marketing Collateral services are available for purchase with Brand Strategy + Design packages.

I already have brand components. Can I just work with Sela Vie to build a website?

In some cases, we can incorporate your current brand components into a new website. 

Please let us know within your application that you hope to use your current branding, and then during your Discovery Call, we can review those brand components and collateral pieces before determining together the best way forward for your business.

I don’t currently have brand components, but I just want a website. Do I have to go through the brand design process?

Depending on the specific needs of your business, a simpler design process may be appropriate. Our goal is to push you toward project components that will make the most meaningful difference in the life of your business, while also efficiently stewarding your resources. Our guidance, and our project proposals, will reflect that.

With what website platforms do you work?

We’re committed to doing what works best for you. So, though our team specializes in Shopify and Squarespace, if another platform will better suit your needs, we’ll be happy to talk through it. Each custom website design process includes an in-depth review of all factors at play before officially selecting a website platform.

Can I write my own brand messaging and website copy?

We do allow clients to submit their own website copy. Toward that end, we composed a DIY copy workbook, free to all clients, that includes detailed instructions, section prompts, and several examples from our own brand messaging. 

However, one of the advantages of hiring Sela Vie to do it, along with your website, is that, on top of influencing brand credibility and search engine optimization, brand messaging + copywriting inform website format, layout, and design. So, handling both under one roof enables collaboration between writers and designers from day one, and often results in the best brand representation outcomes.

How much do Sela Vie services cost?

Our service packages come completely customized to fit clients’ individual needs and, therefore, prices vary.

Following your Discovery Call, we’ll present you with a custom Project Proposal, according to what will best suit your business goals and your resources.

When will I be invoiced, and what are your payment policies?

We offer flexible monthly payment plans if needed. Please feel welcome to discuss your payment preferences during your Discovery Call.

Your payment schedule will then be made available within your project contract. Please note that your payment schedule is not dependent on your project’s progress; invoice due dates are firm.

If, for any reason, you need to consider a change in payment structure after the start of your project, let us know, and we can work toward a solution. 

Late Fees: If for any reason, you do not make a payment on time, you will be charged an extra 10% of that invoice’s total for each month the payment is late.

Pause Policy: If you need to pause or reschedule your project, you will be charged an extra 10% of your total project investment. We plan and schedule projects according to our capacity, so rescheduling a project can interfere with other upcoming work.

With whom will I be working?

Names with whom you will come into contact:

Anna Cate Berman | Founder + Creative Director

Maddie Searcy | Manager + Copywriter

Stevie Jones | Accountant

Reed Fowlkes | Designer

Kirby Hopkins | Design Assistant

Libby Malcolm | Design Assistant + Photographer

Erin Slay-Wilson | Copywriting Assistant

How and when can I contact you?

We work hard to provide the best experience possible for each of our clients, which requires some boundaries around how we communicate and when we make ourselves available. Please note that we do not respond to emails or schedule calls on holidays or weekends.

Monday - Thursday, 9-5 CST

Friday, 9-12 CST

Email is the best way to reach us, and we do our best to respond to all emails within two business days. Calls will be taken by appointment only.

We will schedule meetings throughout the duration of your project, but if there’s something specific or urgent about which you want to talk, you’re always welcome to request a call via email.

How long is my project going to take?

In general, we move through each project portion according to the timeline described below.

Project timelines are subject to change, especially depending on your commitment to timely and thorough communication. We ask that you respond to emails within 48 hours so that we can keep your project running on schedule.

Note: Some project portions will take place simultaneously.

• Brand Strategy + Design: 4 WEEKS | This time estimate includes your completion of questionnaire assignments, design, revisions, and finalization. We’ll strategize and build a brand concept that reflects your goals and speaks to your target audience.

• Website Design: 4-6 WEEKS | This time estimate includes your completion of questionnaire assignments, design, revision, and finalization. We’ll complete a custom website that meets the needs of your business and represents your brand with excellence.

• Brand Messaging + Copywriting: 4 WEEKS | This time estimate includes your completion of questionnaire assignments, composition, revisions, and finalization. We’ll relay your brand’s unique message through copywriting for use on your website and other collateral pieces.

• Photography: 3 WEEKS | This time estimate includes sourcing of a photographer, photoshoot location, and models, plus editing and finalization. We’ll engage a professional photographer to ensure a bespoke visual representation of your brand.

• Collateral Design: 2 WEEKS | This time estimate includes printer sourcing, design, revision, and finalization. We’ll provide you with further support through collateral pieces intended to elevate your brand.

What is my homework?

We’ll spend significant time on the front end of your project getting to know you, your brand’s unique value, and your business's individual needs through a series of homework questionnaires. 

In order to keep your project on schedule, we require that all client homework be completed by the deadline assigned. So, please take special note of all instructions sent via email.

If you are not able to complete your homework on time, we will have to extend the timeline of your project, and you will be charged a rescheduling fee.

How should I give helpful feedback?

In response to the delivery of your project components, we’ll ask for thoughtful replies to the following two main questions:

• Which aspects (colors, fonts, layouts, functionality, voice, tone, etc.) do you think will resonate with your target audience?

• Which aspects (colors, fonts, layouts, functionality, voice, tone, etc.) do you think could be improved upon for your target audience?

We strategically ask these questions to help get your mind thinking from the perspective of your ideal customer or client, instead of simply dwelling on your personal opinions. While we absolutely want you to be delighted with the final product, more importantly, we want the project--and your business--to achieve success. Maintaining that mindset will help ensure your project’s effective return on investment.

Finally, a word of caution regarding sharing your project with too many people while it’s still in progress: Because most of your friends and family won’t have been involved since the start of your project, they likely won’t fully understand its background, strategy, and holistic vision. Therefore, we ask that you keep your feedback circle small to protect your project’s integrity.