thanks for checking out successes.com and how we prepare our case studies and success stories. here are answers to some frequently asked questions about our process:

1. once we've ordered our stories what happens next?

when we receive your order we send you an email that confirms those details and invites you to an interview; clicking on the URL will trigger that interview. your responses provide us with details about you and the solution you designed for the customer to be featured in the story. If you order the special bundle, you will receive a separate email for the url to each story or executive brief. please give us as much information as you can - after all these stories are about YOU, with the customers illustrating your business' talents and strengths.

once the interview is done you receive a transcript of your responses. please save that for your records.

2. i've done my interview - now what?

once your interview is complete and if applicable, we'll send you an email for the interview with your customer with some brief instructions to forward to them. please explain to your customer that it's important that they reply as soon as possible, as we can't finish the story without their input! don't forget to always make sure your customer is ok with doing the story and that they can give you a release if you need one, so that you can use the story in your marketing materials!

3. what if my best customers can't be named in a story?

no problem! we've done lots of stories for many clients, including some household names, in industries where customer names are never disclosed - banking, insurance etc. In these cases we use generic descriptions such as "a california bank" or "a wall street investment company" -- whatever it takes to keep them happy. in your case we'd do the same, and work with you to tell the story while protecting the integrity of your client relationship.

4. i've already filled out my interview -- do I need to do it again every time I order another story?

no. once you've completed the basic questions about you, your responses will be in our database. when you start another story or an executive brief, we'll ask for email address you provided to us and that will be your bypass. of course, as every solution is different, you'll have the option of providing more information about about the customer and the system you created for them.

5. both my interview and my customer's interview are in - how long until I see my story?

the key to speed is getting the interviews in quickly. once we have both interviews in hand, and provided there's enough material in the answers (yes, no, I don't know - doesn't cut it!!) we can turn the story round within 2 weeks. we often do it faster than that, but sometimes life interrupts the best laid plans.

when we've completed the draft of the story we'll send it to you for your review.

please make a list of any changes you want in an email and NOT in the text we've sent you.

then send the story onto your customer for their review and tell them to list any changes they need and send them to you. when you're satisfied that they really love you and have said glowing things about your incredible programming skills, please reconcile their changes with yours, and then send us the definitive list. we'll then edit and send you the final version of the story and the story is yours to use as you wish.

6. why do I need to use a separate email or text for my changes and not make them directly in the text that you've sent me?

it's more accurate and faster to make any changes that you or your customer want if the original text IS NOT marked up. do make sure that any changes your customer wants fit with any you may need.

7. after you. no, after you. no - after you.

if there's a conflict in a change that both you and your customer request, YOUR change will take precedence. so please make sure that you are in sync and their comments and yours fully reconciled before you send any changes or tweaks onto us!!

8. can I buy more stories or executive summaries? can you do custom packages and stories to fit my needs?

Absolutely. we'd be happy to do as many stories as you need. just send us an email and we'll send you a quote if you have custom requirements.

9. are there any restrictions on how I use the story?

not from our side. once the story is finished, it's between you and your customer how you use it.

10. can I use the story on a corporate website, on a client's web site or on my website?

yes indeed. and if you are building a website for your client and they need success stories -- we can often provide them to you at a promotional rate (if we have one going on) so you can include it as part of your deliverable or you can send them to us and we'll deliver directly to them.

11. once we have the final story can we update it and make changes?

you can make the changes on your own but we do have an updating service, so that's an option too!