Terms & Conditions

When you work with me (Annette Densham), you’re hiring 40+ years of sharp strategy, compelling storytelling, and award-winning writing that actually gets noticed. These terms protect my time, your investment, and the quality of the work we create together. They’re fair, clear, and written in plain English, no legalese needed but firmly backed by law.

By paying your first invoice and confirming proceeding by email, you’re agreeing to everything below, even if you haven’t physically signed a contract.

How We Start: My Process

Here’s how I kick things off:

1. First, a 2-hour interview. This is where I dig deep into your story, achievements, impact, and goals. This lays the groundwork for everything.
2. Next, I set up a shared Google Drive folder to organise all content, notes, and files in one place. I’ll send you checklist of what I need.  If I have to go looking for information,  you’ll need to pay for my time. 
3. Then, I confirm your strategy; what we’re writing, what awards or PR opportunities we’re targeting, and your goals.
4. You’ll receive a detailed email recapping everything: scope, deadlines, fees, deliverables, and T&Cs.
5. An invoice follows. Nothing moves ahead until that’s paid.
6. Need a formal contract instead of email terms? No problem, just ask, and I’ll provide one.

Agreement Without a Signature

If you pay the invoice and confirm by email, that’s considered your agreement to these terms. That email thread is our working contract.

Payment Is Always Upfront

All services must be paid in full before I begin. Whether it’s a one-off submission or a 12-month plan, no payment = no work. This protects my time and ensures you’re committed.

Oh, and I’m not responsible for entry fees. You either need to provide me with credit card authorisation or I’ll invoice you BEFORE submitting. 

Three-Month Minimum (for Monthly Retainers)

For monthly subscription clients, there’s a three-month minimum. I do a lot of work upfront—research, prep, strategy—and that’s baked into the first month. Early cancellations won’t be refunded.

12-Month Plans: One Month’s Notice

On a 12-month retainer? You’ll need to give one month’s written notice to cancel, and pay the final month’s invoice—because I always work one month ahead of delivery.

Scope Creep Clause

Your quote covers exactly what’s outlined. Any extra work, more entries, revisions outside scope, last-minute additions, will be quoted separately. It’s $550 + GST for every repurposed piece or $1,650 + GST for a new entry. ’m here to help, but I’m not a flat-rate fairy godmother.

No Refunds

No refunds are offered once work starts. Everything I do is tailored, strategic, and cannot be reused for anyone else. If you change your mind halfway through, that’s fine, but payment stays with me.

No Guarantees of Winning

I’ll give you my best work, strategy, and storytelling, but I don’t control the judges or media gatekeepers. There are no guaranteed wins, placements, or PR features. Anyone promising that is full of it.

Communication Boundaries

All feedback, approvals, and requests must come by email or text. Verbal chats, social DMs, or “quick calls” don’t count as instructions. If it’s not written, it’s not actionable.

Approval Required (Unless You Disappear)

Nothing gets submitted or pitched without your written approval. However, if there’s a hard deadline and you’ve gone radio silent, I’ll submit what’s ready so we don’t miss out. Ideally, you respond. If not, I act to protect your chances.

Work Is My IP Until Paid

All content stays mine until full payment is received. That includes drafts, notes, and strategy docs. Once paid, the content is yours to use. Not before.

Late Payment? Work Stops

If payment is late, all services pause until your account is up to date. No shame, no drama, it’s just boundaries.

You’re Responsible for What You Tell Me

You’re responsible for the accuracy of your own information. If something is factually wrong or misleading, and it affects your submission, that’s on you, not me.

Reputation Clause

If I find the information you’ve provided is unethical, dishonest, or could damage my reputation, I reserve the right to walk away. Any fees already paid are non-refundable.

Your Delays = Timeline Moves

If you’re slow to provide content, approvals, or information, I’ll adjust the timeline accordingly. My schedule can’t accommodate long silences and last-minute panics.

Force Majeure

If something major happens—natural disaster, power outage, internet blackouts, illness, etc.—I’m not liable for delays. Life happens. We’ll regroup and adjust if needed.

Sharing Wins (With Your OK)

If your work wins awards, makes the news, or lands you great coverage—I may ask to share that success in my marketing (with your permission). No personal or sensitive info will ever be shared without approval.