Effective Date: 27 May 2024
Updated: 15 May 2025
Welcome to Bessie Writes Copy! Let’s Lay Out the Ground Rules.
Hello and a huge welcome to Bessie Writes Copy (Pty) Ltd (“Bessie Writes Copy,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). We’re thrilled to have you here!
By accessing and using our website at https://bessiewritescopy.com/, browsing our content, using our services (like copywriting, social media management, virtual assistant tasks), or purchasing products and courses through The Copy Crique or Copy Creators Academy, you are agreeing to play by the rules outlined in these Terms and Conditions. Think of this as our partnership agreement – setting clear expectations so we can have a smooth, productive, and positive working relationship!
Please take a moment to read these terms carefully. They are important.
1. Introduction: What We Do and What You Agree To
Bessie Writes Copy is your go-to partner for stellar copywriting, strategic social media management, and other valuable digital marketing services. We also offer fantastic resources and educational opportunities through The Copy Crique (digital products) and Copy Creators Academy (online courses).
By using our services, accessing our website, or making a purchase, you are entering into a binding agreement with Bessie Writes Copy, and you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
2. Services and Deliverables: Crafting Success Together
Bessie Writes Copy offers a range of specialized digital marketing and copywriting services designed to elevate your brand. These include, but are not limited to:
- Social Media Management
- Website Copywriting
- Blog Writing & Content Creation
- Product Descriptions
- Email Marketing Strategy & Copy
- Virtual Assistant Services (with a digital marketing focus)
- Small Business Administration Support (including business registration assistance)
Our services are available through various custom packages and solutions. The precise scope of work, specific deliverables, project milestones, and agreed-upon timelines for your project will always be clearly outlined in a dedicated Proposal or Service Agreement. Once accepted by you, this Proposal or Service Agreement becomes an addendum to these general Terms and Conditions.
2.1 Timeframes and Delivery: Working Towards Your Deadlines
We understand that deadlines matter! Delivery timelines for your project will be discussed and mutually agreed upon before we officially begin work. We always strive to meet our commitments, but please understand that timelines can sometimes vary based on the complexity of the project, the scope of revisions needed, and, crucially, your responsiveness and ability to provide necessary feedback and materials promptly.
Delays caused by factors outside of our reasonable control, or delays resulting from the client (such as late provision of information, feedback, or required assets), may necessitate a revision of the delivery timeline.
3. Payment Terms: Investing in Your Business
Here’s how we handle payments for our services and products:
- Service-Based Projects: Payment terms for specific service projects (like copywriting retainers or website copy packages) will be clearly detailed in your Proposal or Service Agreement. For projects with a value above R 5,000.00 ZAR, a 50% non-refundable deposit is required upfront to book your slot in our schedule and initiate work. The remaining 50% balance is due upon project completion, as defined by the final deliverables outlined in your agreement.
- Digital Product Sales (The Copy Crique): When you purchase digital products such as templates, guides, eBooks, or other downloadable resources from The Copy Crique, full payment is required upfront at the time of purchase. Access to these digital resources will be granted immediately (or as specified) upon successful payment confirmation.
- Courses and Memberships (Copy Creators Academy): Payments for access to courses or memberships through Copy Creators Academy are due in full upon registration or commencement of the membership period, unless a specific payment plan option is offered and selected by you.
All payments are processed securely. By making a payment, you agree that you are authorized to use the payment method provided and that all billing information you supply is accurate and complete.
Payment Methods: We accept payment via Direct Bank Transfer (EFT), PayFast, PayPal, and Credit Card.
Late Payments: Invoices are due by the date specified on the invoice. If payment is not received by the due date, a reminder will be sent. If payment remains outstanding for more than [Specify number, e.g., 7] days past the due date, Bessie Writes Copy reserves the right to suspend all work on your project or access to services until payment is received in full. Outstanding invoices may also be subject to a late payment fee of [Specify amount or percentage, e.g., R50 or 5%] or interest at a rate of [Specify rate, e.g., 1.5%] per month on the outstanding balance. Continued failure to pay may result in termination of services and referral for debt collection.
4. Refund Policy: Our Commitment
Our refund policy is designed to be fair while protecting the value and effort we put into our work:
- Service-Based Projects: Due to the customized nature of our copywriting, social media management, and other digital marketing services, and the significant time and effort invested from the outset, deposits and any subsequent payments made for service-based projects are non-refundable once work has commenced.
- Digital Products (The Copy Crique): All sales of digital products, such as templates, guides, and eBooks, are final. Once purchased and access is granted, refunds cannot be provided. Please read product descriptions carefully before purchasing.
- Courses (Copy Creators Academy): We want you to be happy with your learning! Refunds for courses are available if requested via email to support@bessiewritescopy.com within 7 days of your original purchase date, provided that no more than 30% of the course content (based on our platform’s tracking) has been accessed or downloaded. No refunds will be issued after 7 days or if more than 30% of the course content has been accessed.
5. Client Responsibilities: Your Role in Success
Our best results happen when we work as a team! As a client, you agree to:
- Provide clear, timely, and comprehensive instructions, information, feedback, and all necessary materials required for us to complete the agreed-upon work. This includes things like brand guidelines, logos, access to relevant accounts (if needed for social media/VA tasks), product details, target audience information, and any other relevant business details.
- Be available for scheduled meetings and respond to requests for feedback or information within agreed-upon timeframes.
- Review deliverables promptly and provide consolidated feedback to keep the project moving forward efficiently.
Please understand that failure to provide required information or feedback in a timely manner can cause significant project delays. If delays caused by client unresponsiveness or failure to provide necessary materials extend beyond [Specify period, e.g., 30 days], Bessie Writes Copy reserves the right to pause the project, revise the timeline, or, in significant cases, terminate the agreement. Such delays may also incur additional fees or require a revised scope and proposal.
6. Intellectual Property: Who Owns What
Intellectual property is important for both of us! Here’s how we handle it:
- Content Created For You: Upon successful receipt of full and final payment for a service project, Bessie Writes Copy grants you a worldwide, perpetual, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use, reproduce, and modify the final deliverables specifically created for you (e.g., the website copy, blog posts, social media captions) for your own business purposes.
- Ownership of Created Content: While you get a license to use the final deliverables, all intellectual property rights for any underlying working materials, drafts, unique methodologies, proprietary processes, templates, or general expertise used in creating the deliverables remain the property of Bessie Writes Copy. Ownership of the final deliverables transfers to you only upon full and final payment as specified in your agreement.
- Bessie Writes Copy Portfolio Use: You agree that Bessie Writes Copy retains the right to use the deliverables created for you (excluding any sensitive confidential information you explicitly mark as such) in our portfolio, case studies, on our website, and in marketing materials for promotional purposes to showcase our work and capabilities.
- Digital Products & Course Materials: All content, materials, templates, guides, eBooks, course modules, videos, and resources provided through The Copy Crique and Copy Creators Academy are the exclusive intellectual property of Bessie Writes Copy unless otherwise stated. You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use these materials for your own personal or internal business use only, as permitted by the specific product/course terms. You may not reproduce, resell, redistribute, share, or create derivative works from these materials without express written consent from Bessie Writes Copy.
- Client Provided Materials: You warrant and represent that you own or have the necessary licenses and rights to use any logos, text, images, data, or other materials that you provide to Bessie Writes Copy for use in your project. You agree to indemnify and hold Bessie Writes Copy harmless from any claims arising from the use of materials provided by you that infringe on the intellectual property rights of others.
7. Confidentiality: Trust is Key
We understand that your business information is sensitive. We agree to keep confidential any non-public, proprietary, or sensitive information you share with us during our engagement, using it only for the purpose of providing services to you. This includes things like your business plans, financial information, marketing strategies that aren’t public, and client data.
Likewise, you agree to keep confidential any proprietary methods, pricing structures (outside of your specific quote), internal processes, and non-public business information of Bessie Writes Copy that you may become aware of.
The duty of confidentiality does not apply to information that:
- Is already publicly known.
- Is received from a third party without a breach of confidentiality.
- Is independently developed by either party.
- Is required to be disclosed by law or court order.
8. Limitation of Liability: Setting Boundaries
While we pour our expertise into every project, it’s important to understand the limits of our liability. Bessie Writes Copy will not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, punitive, or exemplary damages, including but not limited to, damages for loss of profits, goodwill, use, data, or other intangible losses resulting from:
- The use or the inability to use our website, services, or products.
- The cost of procurement of substitute goods and services.
- Unauthorized access to or alteration of your transmissions or data.
- Statements or conduct of any third party on our website or services.
- The results of our digital marketing efforts, as these are influenced by numerous external factors including search engine algorithm changes, social media platform policies, market conditions, competitor activities, and your own business operations and responsiveness, all of which are beyond our control.
Our total liability to you for any claim arising out of or relating to these Terms and Conditions or the services provided shall not exceed the amount paid by you to Bessie Writes Copy for the specific service or product giving rise to the claim.
9. Termination: Ending the Agreement
Either party may terminate the agreement for services by providing the other party with 30 days’ written notice.
- Payment Upon Termination: Upon termination of services, the client agrees to pay for all services rendered and work completed up to the effective date of termination. This will be calculated based on the percentage of the project completed (if a fixed fee project with defined milestones) or the hourly rate for hours worked, plus any expenses incurred, up to the termination date. Any outstanding invoices will be immediately due and payable.
- Termination by Bessie Writes Copy: Bessie Writes Copy reserves the right to terminate services immediately without notice if you breach any of these Terms and Conditions, fail to make payments as agreed, or if your actions are detrimental to Bessie Writes Copy’s business or reputation.
- Post-Termination: Sections relating to Intellectual Property, Confidentiality, Limitation of Liability, Indemnification, Governing Law, Severability, and Waiver shall survive the termination of this agreement. All outstanding payments remain due.
10. Governing Law: Where We Play By the Rules
These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any disputes arising from or related to the use of our website, services, or these Terms and Conditions will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in South Africa.
11. Changes to These Terms: Staying Current
The digital world evolves, and so might our terms! Bessie Writes Copy reserves the right to modify or update these Terms and Conditions at any time. Any changes will be effective immediately upon being posted on this page, with the “Last Updated” date revised accordingly.
For any material changes that significantly affect your rights or obligations, we will endeavour to provide more prominent notice, such as through a notification on our website homepage or via email (if you are a current client).
Your continued use of our website, services, or products after any changes to these Terms and Conditions have been posted constitutes your acceptance of those changes.
12. Disclaimer of Warranties: “As Is” Basis
The Website, Services, and Products are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis, without any warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Bessie Writes Copy disclaims all warranties, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. We do not warrant that our website or services will be uninterrupted, error-free, or secure.
13. Indemnification: Holding Us Harmless
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Bessie Writes Copy, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or relating to: (a) your use of the Website, Services, or Products; (b) your breach of these Terms and Conditions; (c) your violation of any rights of a third party, including intellectual property rights; or (d) any content or materials you provide to us.
14. Severability: If One Part Doesn’t Work
If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, that provision shall be struck from these Terms and Conditions, but the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
15. Waiver: Not Giving Up Rights
No waiver of any provision of these Terms and Conditions shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such provision or any other provision. Bessie Writes Copy’s failure to assert any right or provision under these Terms and Conditions shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.
16. Contact Information: We’re Here for You
If you have any questions, concerns, or need clarification regarding these Terms and Conditions, please get in touch.
You can reach us at:
Bessie Writes Copy (Pty) Ltd
Email: support@bessiewritescopy.com
Phone: +2761 488 0039
Website:www.bessiewritescopy.com