frequently asked questions
Here’s a collection of some commonly asked questions & their answers we’ve had over the years.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, reach out to us @ Accounts@HeaveHoCreative.com
General
Why should I work with you? >
Talent is subjective & consequently so is design. You cannot replicate the years of trial & error that simply come with experience. We've crashed our ships on the rock, taken our fair share of cannon balls & even walked the plank. While we've never raised the white flag in surrender, we have curated over 50 years of wins & learnings to steer you clear of sirens, storms & the like.
Heave Ho! Creative is seriously fun, speedy & strong. We do what we say we're going to do. Our crew is dedicated, scrappy, type A creatives that love to help & pledged an oath to our values (we chose them together!). You can learn more here.
What types of clients do you typically work with? >
We love working with clients that are kind, honest, hard-working & fun. They are looking to either create a project from scratch or evolve their existing into something that looks great and works better. They are open to strategy, as well as design. We want to work with clients that want to be helped & can trust us as the experts.
In general, we've partnered with companies from CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) to non-profit organizations and all that lie between. Our leadership alone, has 50+ years of combined experience in a wide range of industries, which gives us incredible insights & value-add to our clients.
How much do your services cost? >
We charge by the value we bring versus simply hours. When looking at our capabilities, you'll see that we offer 1 Sail, 2 Sail & 3 Sail Plans. These plans represent a tiered pricing system to complete your project. The more sails we open up, the more wind we can catch.
Our agency hourly rate for consulting & additional hours to get projects over the line is between $150 - $200 per hour. Of course, we offer custom-built packages, as well.
Can I change my plan once we start? >
Yes. We address this through a revised contract & an understanding that the timeline & cost may be affected.
Do you provide retainer services? >
We love partnering as consultants on a retainer. However, while we love building relationships with our clients, we prefer to do so one project at a time.
How long has Heave Ho! Creative been in business? >
Our founders have been enjoying & thriving in the creative & marketing industries for over 20 years each. The name change to Heave Ho! Creative came about in March 2020.
Where are you based? >
Our HQ is based in Oceanside, California (a sublime beach pocket city between Los Angeles & San Diego). Our team members are nationwide & we serve stateside & international clients.
Do you sell any Heave Ho! Creative merchandise? >
Not yet. We are working on some fun items for the new year.
Process
How do I start the process? >
Navigate to our Work With Us & fill out the form with all pertinent details we need to assess a proper fit. From there, our Accounts crew will reach out either way with any necessary follow-up questions regarding your budget & timeline.
How many people will be assigned to my project? >
There will be a whole crew of scrappy creatives working on your project. While you will only interact with one senior creative, you will also be assigned one main point of contact, which is an account director.
How many rounds of edits do I get? >
Typically, a project is either expanded or consolidated into four legs of the creative journey. Each leg will have one round of edits included with an approval per junction. Of course, larger projects may be broken up into separate Course Charts which will give you more opportunities to make edits.
What additional costs might come up during my project? >
There may be additional revisions or an expanded project scope requested by the client, which will of course, yield an additional cost. While we're proud of our speedy service, we also offer expedited delivery at an extra charge. This simply means more hands on deck to accomplish the high-quality work you're expecting & assets in your possession sooner than our standard process would've allowed. Our commitment to strategic communication & managing expectations means no end-of-project-surprises regarding budget. Ever.
Billing
What is your payment process? >
We process payments as outlined in the contract. We invoice the client with a NET30. While clients can pay via Venmo or check, we recommend the former to expedite the process.
Do you offer payment plans? >
Yes, we allow flexibility in payment. Typically, we offer 3-6 month plans with an additional 5% on total project price. Of course, larger projects that take longer will warrant multiple payments along the way. We are always open to negotiating favorable terms for our clients.
Do you require a down payment? >
Yes, in most cases. We typically begin work with at least 25% down.
Branding
I know what a logo is, but what is branding? >
Simply put, branding is how you look, sound & feel to your community & potential customers. A logo is only one facet of branding (albeit an important one).
What's included in your branding packages? >
Every project is different & some may require a customized package, but you can get some great information here.
How long does the branding process take? >
We can complete foundational branding projects in about four weeks (larger packages we offer can push the project to eight weeks). The number one reason projects may take longer is due to client approval delays &/or alterations to project scope.
Do you only create new branding or do you also take on refresh projects? >
We do both. We can help start-ups brand from scratch & seasoned companies with an intelligent refresh.
Why do you recommend custom branding? >
The old adage that you get what you pay for is true. Custom branding means paying more than what you would at the online, generic clip art, churn & burn logo fun factory (you know the ones) that do not use strategy in constructing your mark. A logo is only one part of your branding – all touchpoints need to be considered & planned for. Paying for custom & proper branding is not a cost – it is an investment. A well done brand with positive associations will gain more of the right customers. Statistics tell us your customers will pay significantly more – up to 60%! Visit our branding page now to get started.
How much do your branding services cost? >
We offer three different packages for our branding service (yes, this includes opportunities for logo work & even refreshes). While each project is fully customizable, we typically don't work with clients for full scale branding systems for less than $3,000 (unless it's a logo or a refresh). Go ahead & fill out our form to see how we can help.
Can you help me if I only need a logo? >
Yes. We can create a strong & differentiated mark for you that will work well across your website, social accounts & printed materials, etc.
Websites
What platform are your website templates built on? >
Our websites are built on the Squarespace platform due to its easy-to-update interface for our clients. We do offer Shopify builds for more robust e-commerce stores.
How long will it take to get my new site? >
We aim to have basic sites launched in as early as four weeks. Larger or e-Commerce sites can take up to eight weeks or more depending on the add ons from the client. We do offer expedited services, at a cost, for clients in a pickle.
Do you offer a la carte website services? >
We do offer a few a la carte services, such as our foundational SEO setup, copywriting & landing pages. We also provide content creation for your site, such as graphic design, photography & digital video assets. When you fill out this contact form, let us know specifcally what you need & we'll take care of you.
How much access will I have during the build? >
The client will have private access to the test site during certain approval windows. We will provide a link & password when the client needs to review. After approval, the site will not be accessible while under construction until the next review window.
Can you assist with site copywriting, including CTAs? >
We'd love to. We are well-versed in adapting to the brand guidelines you have set up & can even assist directionally in a consulting role if you'd prefer.
How much do your website services cost? >
We charge by the value we bring versus simply hours. When looking at our capabilities, you'll see that we offer 1 Sail, 2 Sail & 3 Sail Plans. These plans represent a tiered pricing system to complete your project. The more sails we open up, the more wind we can catch. Typically, our foundational responsive sites, built with basic SEO, start at $3,900.
Our agency hourly rate for additional hours to get projects over the line is between $150 - $200 per hour. Of course, we offer custom-built packages to suit a variety of budgets, as well.
Packaging
What types of packaging do you design for? >
We can truly design for any packaging type. We have a boatload of experience in canisters, cartons, bottles, cans, boxes, wraps, Tetra Paks, pouches, bags, shippers, etc. We understand the unique challenges with each type of unit/container, substrate & we even speak fluent "Printer."
Can you assist with label copywriting? >
We'd love to. We are well-versed in adapting to the brand guidelines you have set up & can even assist directionally in a consulting role if you'd prefer.
Do you print my packaging? >
We are not able to print your packaging, but we have a lot of great connections in the industry we can connect you with.
Can you assist with FDA compliance, certifications & legal verbiage for my products? >
We can & we can't. Your legal team would need to sign off on all of the above. Having said that, we have over 15 years of experience in this specific area to assist you & feel confident in our work.
Can you help me get a UPC code for my products? >
Yes. We can create the actual UPC code based off the number & type (ie. UPC-A, EAN, etc) you would generate on your end.
Do you provide mock ups for packaging design? >
Yes. We can create a simple mock up or even more realistic options to help you visualize design on your products.
Do you assist with printer communications? >
Yes. We can come alongside & help you translate specifications &/or best practices based on what your printer's resources are (ie. type of machine(s), capabilities, etc).
How much do your packaging services cost? >
We offer three project build options based on your specific needs. As there are a number of factors to consider, we would provide you with a custom quote based on project scope & timeline. You can check out our packaging page for some more info.
Consulting
How long are the consulting sessions? >
Our base offering is a 1 hour minimum for virtual sessions. Everything else, including multi-day, in-person workshops simply depend on your needs.
What areas of consulting do you offer? >
We specialize in all things creative & design. We offer consulting through a marketing lens & would be a great fit for starts ups & seasoned companies looking to level up. We can help advise you in taking your business online & even provide results-focused communication training for departments that need to work together to move the sales needle.
Do you offer consulting 1-1? >
Yes. We can meet virtually or in person 1-on-1. We can also work in larger groups. Depending on the type of consult, we work with you to decide the appropriate method of communication & the proper-sized group.
Do you provide consulting virtually or in person? >
Both. Budget, timeline, geography & your specific needs will drive those decisions.
Do you offer consulting on a retainer? >
Yes, we do. We have different options which include project-based monthly consults & set monthly hours at our agency rate. We can create a flexible plan that works for you.
Are you available to speak at conferences or put on a strategic workshop for my team? >
Yes, we are excited about these types of opportunities & love to meet in-person when & where appropriate.
How much do you charge for consulting service? >
It depends on the type of consult, but as a point of reference, our agency rate is $150 - $200/hour. Fill out our form to get some more concrete numbers.
we can help you win
Fill out the form & let’s pull anchor today.