How important is professional communications to your business?

Freelance ProfessionalsWhether you run a small business or an international corporation, “communications” consume a surprising percentage of your organization’s time, budget and resources. As demand for specialized communications increases, many lean organizations reach their capacity and have to delay important communications projects while their competition marches on.

We’d like to change that. HPCA is a growing network of independent communications professionals offering a complete portfolio of services for corporate, marketing and internal communications. Our services are available individually or as part of a multi-disciplined project team to increase sales, synchronize programs, build brands and strengthen relationships.

HPCA's professional membership covers the entire spectrum of freelance business communicators — from writers and graphic designers, to photographers, translators and website and social media specialists. We know how to deliver maximum impact at a reasonable cost. Our members have proven track records of success — our work speaks for itself. Contact us today!

Find a Communicator

Search the Membership Directory. An abundance of creative talent is available at your fingertips.

Use the HPCA Job/Projects Board. Finding the right communications professional has never been easier! Please see detailed instructions below.

Job Postings

Reach the most qualified HPCA candidates by posting your full-time, part-time or contract work requirements on the HPCA Job/Projects Board. Click here to post & contact HPCA members.

Susan Crossman

Susan CrossmanDecades of experience and ongoing professional development mean Susan Crossman can deliver business writing that reports, analyses, promotes and inspires while supporting corporate goals and initiatives.

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Featured News & Articles

  • April 16 meeting report: We have lots to brag about

    As talented white knights shared their success at vanquishing communications dragons during our recent Bring and Brag night, any doubts that HPCA is experiencing a renaissance went up…well… in a big puff of smoke! (If that imagery is confusing, it refers to a graphic of a knight in shining armour used to promote the event.) The evening was a roaring success and the room buzzed with energy as members and guests used every opportunity to network and connect in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

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  • We can take our own pictures... so why hire a professional photographer?

    Many people would think that since current popular cameras are so good at taking a well-exposed, in-focus image, they don’t need to pay for a professional photographer.

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  • Make your media pitch relevant

    Working with the media has changed since the days of PR people sending pitches by fax. Yet, as HPCA members learned on March 20, what hasn't changed is the key to getting media coverage: relevance to the audience.

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  • There IS such a thing as easy money

    In an eye-opening session on Feb. 12, HPCA members learned just how easy it can be to make money on the side.

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  • Deals are Cool – Harnessing the Power of Promotional Pricing

    As marketers, we understand the importance of promotion. After all, it’s the primary role we play in enticing customers to purchase our products and services. What tends to be less appreciated by some – and by many businesses – is the whole concept of promotional pricing or offering discounts, ‘deals’ and ‘offers’ to our clients.

    What do we offer, how much will entice our customers, should it be a dollar off or a percentage discount, or is providing additional value a worthwhile proposition? These and many more questions confound marketers and can make our lives difficult, unless we  can simplify this issue.    

    Pricing is difficult and requires assessing and evaluating many external and internal variables before coming to a set market price for a given product or service. In this blog, we’ll focus on the key attributes of an effective promotion and how pricing can play a key role in enticing customers to purchase.

    So how do you define effective promotional pricing? How do you walk the fine line of offering value to clients while avoiding giving away the farm? Here are a few pointers we at Sydcam Marketing Communications believe can help you make the right strategic pricing and promotion decisions for your business.

    1.      The Price Can be Right!

    The first lesson to be learned is that certain products, services and brands don’t warrant discounting. For example, premium brands like Tiffany and Canada Goose won’t, and simply don’t have to put their products on sale. If you can avoid promotions and sales, go for it!

    2.      You can (and must) be strategic

    Should you discount your most popular and profitable product line? Not likely, except in rare and special situations. Should you discount a hard to sell item? Most definitely, if for no other reason than to get rid of it and make room for a new (and more profitable) product. Build promotional pricing into your overall marketing strategy and plan and discount strategically.

    3.      Test, test and test some more

    As I alluded to earlier, pricing isn’t an exact science and what may work today might not work tomorrow, and what might work for you may not for a competitor. To truly understand what will motivate your customers to purchase, you need to test AND evaluate several different offers and promotions on an ongoing basis. That’s why many email marketing programs have so-called A and B tests, testing response rates to different offers.

    4.      Ask your clients

    Surveys and focus groups are powerful ways to better understand the needs, wants and expectations of your customers. So use them and ask your customers what kinds of offers they want to see and when! Online surveys offer marketers a quick and cost-effective solution to do this. And don’t forget to offer them some sort of offer or promotion for completing it.

    And remember, promotional pricing is part of the much broader customer experience equation. When you provide true value to your clients through your offerings and the prices you charge for them, you’re developing that bond of trust and respect with your clients that can last a lifetime.

Upcoming Events

May 23, 2013 (Thursday)

HPCA Wine and Gripe

HPCA Wine and Gripe returns! This popular event is a whole lot of fun and provides a great platform for getting to know fellow HPCA-ers even better. HPCA is providing three pool tables and a selection of hors d'oeuvres for your enjoyment.

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