We cover a lot of ground on the About page and on our Prices page, but click through for answers to the most common questions:
Q: I've never seen a fixed price for a personal historian - charges are always hourly. Why do you offer priced packages?
A: It was a huge decision: to price as packages or hourly. Looking at other personal historians, we found vague offers to work on books for hourly rates (sometimes disclosed, more often not) but billing is extremely subjective. We wanted to create a pricing structure that was affordable and understandable.
At Life History Books we were able to set a pricing structure far below any peers we've encountered while setting a new bar for quality, thanks to our technology-savvy team. Our founder's background in page design and layout means that professional-level publishing is done in-house. An expert transcriptionist morphs interviews to written word in a fraction of the time it takes most. We also share duties, resulting in tasks being done simultaneously. We scan and retouch all images ourselves, thanks to graphic design backgrounds, and our books are sourced via a reliable company that offers a six-day turnaround time, if needed.
Our team has a combination of talents difficult to find: courteous attention to detail and computer-based efficiency. Our packaged pricing model and wealth of skills mean we can hustle to get books done quickly without pretending to drag our feet to rack up the bill. Some packages take us more time than others, but that's a fact we accept to eliminate financial stress on the customer. It surely means lower profit for us, but it also means conducting a haggle-free business.
(Scroll down for more FAQ or Click Here to Go Back to the Top)
Q: How long is each book?
A: On average, four hours of interviews will come to 40-60 pages. Because sizes of photographs and speaking styles will vary, lengths are approximate. Of course, all books can include beautiful dedication pages and scanned-in hand-written notes and recipes.
(Scroll down for more FAQ or Click Here to Go Back to the Top)
Q: Can I interview with someone? Can we have a couples book or a mother/daughter book, for example?
A: Yes, we're extremely flexible. Our goal is to put together books that tell a beautifully rounded story. The Deluxe Package is perfectly suited for a couples book, for example.
(Scroll down for more FAQ or Click Here to Go Back to the Top)
Q: What if I want to add to my book later?
A: Absolutely. At any time, we can conduct additional hours of interviews, and add as many pictures as you like. Contact us for custom quotes.
(Scroll down for more FAQ or Click Here to Go Back to the Top)
Q: Can I order extra copies of my book(s)?
A: We can run reprints at any time. Cost depends on the size of the book (either 8"x10" or 12"x12") and the length of pages. A reprint of a book will cost between $80 and $200 and we pay for shipping.
(Scroll down for more FAQ or Click Here to Go Back to the Top)
Q: Do I have to start interviews immediately?
A: All Life History Book certificates of purchase and gift certificates are valid for one year. Interviews must begin within one year of the sale date.
(Scroll down for more FAQ or Click Here to Go Back to the Top)
Q: I'm thinking of giving a Life History Book as a gift, but I don't know if the person wants to do one.
A: Drop us a line on the Contact page and we'll have a chat over the phone. The best answer is the most obvious - read up on the process and talk to the potential interviewee. Expect to encounter some initial resistance, but judge whether that is true uninterest or simply humility.
Most Life History Books are bought as gifts, and like clockwork, at first contact most interviewees say they haven't done anything special with their lives and this is a silly idea, but by the end of the interviews they're shocked by how much they had to share. All of our customers have been thrilled with the final books, and we pride ourselves on keeping our perfect record.
(Scroll down for more FAQ or Click Here to Go Back to the Top)
Q: Are interviews conducted in person or by phone?
A: We have personal historians all around the world, so there is a good chance we can do your interview in person, if you so desire. If we are not able to get a personal historian to you, we ask that you consider conducting interviews over the telephone.
Phone interviews are completely effective and are sometimes preferred, as some customers find them more private.
(Scroll down for more FAQ or Click Here to Go Back to the Top)
Q: I'm not great with the computer. Will that make it harder to complete my book?
A: Absolutely not! We offer e-mail as a mode of communication for our customers who prefer it - a computer is not at all necessary to complete a book. Everything can be sent through the mail. If you prefer digital versions or print versions, just let us know.
(Scroll down for more FAQ or Click Here to Go Back to the Top)
Q: How long will it take from the purchase of the package to the finished book?
A: That depends almost entirely on the customer. If we get a message asking for a Golden Package to be completed in one month, it can be done. Ideally, we have far more time, but if we all hunker down and work together efficiently, we can get any package done in one month.
Most of our clients aren't in a rush, though. Most want to look through the Welcome Packet for a week or so, dig out some photographs, and have the first interview in a week or two with a second interview in about a week. With that schedule, a Standard Package will be in the client's hands in about a month. After the final interview is done, the customer needs to edit the transcription. After that is done, we need two weeks to get the book into your hands.
(Scroll down for more FAQ or Click Here to Go Back to the Top)
Q: How will you keep my life story confidential?
A: We take customer confidentiality very, very seriously. We keep our files stored securely and do not label files with customers' names, instead using customer numbers. We keep all files in two storage spaces to ensure they are backed up securely.
(Scroll down for more FAQ or Click Here to Go Back to the Top)
Q: Why should I add the Audio?
A: The entire team feels very strongly that recording life histories isn't nearly as common as it should be, and to that end, we wanted to offer packages affordable to most families.
Having the Interview Audio is a phenomenal opportunity to capture not only the interviewee's personality but their actual voice as they tell their story. Separate pricing ensures our customers can pick what suits their budgets. We see the books as essential and the Audio as a bonus.
(Scroll down for more FAQ or Click Here to Go Back to the Top)
Q: What forms of payment do you accept?
A: We accept credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, checks, money orders, cashier's checks... basically, everything. Though the BUY NOW button is via PayPal, you do not need a PayPal account to pay via PayPal with your credit card.
(Scroll down for more FAQ or Click Here to Go Back to the Top)
Q: Do you offer any financing?
A: We do in some instances. If you would like to pay in increments, talk to your personal historian.
Still have a question? Shoot us a line on our Contact page or just e-mail us and we’ll be happy to give you a call: info@LifeHistoryBooks.com
(Click Here to Go Back to the Top) |
