Got a question about my services?

Questions About My Services

If your question isn't answered here, ask me: crisiswriter@gmail.com

1. What services do you offer individuals?
I offer both private advice and recovery of funds. I can act as your advocate; I can advise you how to be your own advocate, or you can retain me. Over the years my work has dealt with bullies, swindlers, difficult neighbors, mean-spirited home owner associations, negligent landlords, mean bankers, unethical realtors, etc.

2. Are you a lawyer or private investigator?
I'm neither. My work often involves research and investigation, but I am an investigative journalist, not a private investigator. My work can be an adjunct service to a law firm, or a less costly substitute for a lawyer, but I am not a lawyer and I do not practice law. If I think you would be better off with a lawyer, I may recommend one or more to you. My intent is to do my best for you; if I know you need someone else with legal expertise and experience I will refer you. I focus on what is moral and ethical… and kind.

3. What skills do you utilize to assist me?
I bring to each case my personal experience of success in similar matters, prior success on behalf of clients, my investigative skills as a journalist, and my diplomacy – I used to teach social skills to corporate executives. Also, I am a critical and creative lateral thinker, so I am very good at brainstorming multiple solutions to problems you are facing. And I bring my writing skills, my gentle persuasion acquired as a former public relations consultant, and my assertiveness training – as instructor – in dealing with authority figures and corporate entities. I abhor bullying techniques, intimidation and harassment so I don't use them in my work. Instead, I prefer to show the other party how doing the right thing for my client works in their favor.

4. What makes you think you can solve my problem?
The likelihood is great because I've experienced so many challenges of my own and successfully resolved them. I can often draw on my own experiences to solve yours. Try me... I'm likely to be more successful on your behalf than most professionals who have NOT been in your shoes as I have. And I have been successful in almost all cases I have handled, except where the client decided not to follow my advice and worked against her/his own best interests.

5. What is your background and training?
I have the equivalent of a dual-bachelor's degree from Kent State University in Ohio, in 1) Family Studies and Consumer Education and 2) Marketing and Communications. I also studied at Hiram College in Ohio (Liberal Arts and French), Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Ryerson University in Toronto, University of Toronto, and University of Oxford in England. I also took some graduate level courses at the Fashion Institute of Technology which isn't terribly relevant to my work today, but shows that I love learning.

I was a radio talk show host on relationships in Erie Pennsylvania, a co-host on CFRB, the largest talk radio station in Canada, and a frequent guest expert on many other radio stations and national TV talk shows. I have taught seminars and lectured to conferences and conventions in both Canada and the United States and written multiple books on relationships, earning income as an authority.

More importantly, I can also draw on my own personal experience. Throughout my years I have dealt with many challenges of my own: divorce, poverty, homelessness, attempted suicide of a parent, home invasion, death threats, stalking, bullying, hate campaigns, frivolous lawsuits, and more. Chances are I have already been through what you are now going through.

6. Can you guarantee the results I want?
I wish I could, but no. I take on only those cases where I think there is a high probability of my/our being successful. That means less risk to you. However, I have no control over what my client will do. Sometimes a client becomes impatient and steps in too soon, undermining my efforts in some way, or sabotaging the work that is on the verge of success. Then, the situation is unresolvable and there is nothing more that I can do.

7. How do I go about hiring you?
It would be useful if you would fill out the request form on this page: http://www.AndreaReynolds.com/request.php

Also, if you have all the documentation that supports your case – you have everything documented in writing and haven't thrown it out – I will need to see copies of it all before I can agree to work on your case. I'll need to see this to determine the scope and complexity of the assignment. Assessing whether I can achieve the desired outcome won't cost you anything. If I think I can't do a good job for you I won't take the case and I'll return everything to you.

And of course, most importantly, I need to know what specific results you expect, or will accept.

8. What if I just want some fast advice?
If you want my immediate advice you have multiple options:
1. Arrange a phone consultation (prepaid appointment required) or email consultation,
2. Invite me to hold a brainstorm session with you, your group, your company,
3. Hire me to speak to your organization,
4. Invite me to conduct one of my salons or classes, or
5. Purchase one of my reports, manuals or booklets.

9. Can you solve my problem for free?
Sorry, no. This is my work and this is how I generate my income. The only way I get paid is when the person I'm working for pays me or I receive a percentage of the money I recover. I'm sure you expect to be paid for the work you do every day, too, right?

10. Why can't you work for free? Isn't your salary from employment enough? Or doesn't your husband make enough money so you can be more generous?
I'm self-employed. I haven't had a salary from outside employment since early 1977, and I haven't had a husband since 1985. Even when we were married my husband kept his money separate (his decision). If I don't charge for my work, I won't be able to afford the necessities of life: food, shelter, electricity, clothing, and medical care. So, I work only for people who value my work enough to pay for it.

11. Will you work on a contingency or commission basis?
In some cases where I get paid on results, yes. But for short assignment I do require payment. Your dentist, doctor, therapist, or teacher doesn't work on a contingency basis. They don't get paid on results; they get paid for the services they provide, as I do. I get paid when the results a client wants are not monetary.

12. What can I do if I can't afford to pay you?
You could do what many of us have to do to pay for something: earn more income, reduce living expenses, sell unused items, and save up enough money to cover the cost. I don't recommend that you borrow money or go into debt. I also offer referral fees of $100 to $1200 and more when a confirmed speaking engagement is confirmed as a result of your efforts. This can be for a group seminar, corporate appearance, or college, conference or community event. See the page for details: Earn Rewards. And there are multiple ways I can accept payment.

13. Can't you just send me some money? Or loan me some money?
No. I'm not a charity or a non-profit organization, and I'm not a bank. If your family or friends won't loan or give you the money, why would you think I, a complete stranger, would be willing to do so?

14. What if I don't live in the United States?
That usually doesn't present a problem. I have worked for clients in the US, Canada (where I lived, attended university and worked), England (where I lived, attended university, and worked), and Ireland. If you live outside North America, talk to me.

15. What exactly is crisis brainstorming?
Brainstorming is focusing on a question like "What if.....?" for at least 15-20 minutes, and often longer, and considering every single idea that comes to mind as having as much merit as every other idea that comes to you. My favorite example is almost a party game: Can you think of 20 additional uses for a brick... other than its original, intended use as construction material? For more definitions read my booklet: Jump Start Your Creative Genius

Crisis brainstorming is generating solutions to a crisis (which is often a mind-numbing and anxiety-provoking situation). In a crisis it's difficult to think of more than 2 options. That's where I come in. I'm someone who has often handled crises with level-headed thinking and my creative thinking skills don't let me down.

16. Do you ever use the media in your work?
Yes, in my capacity as a personal public relations consultant throughout my long career, I have worked with the press and media, when it's mutually beneficial, to bring attention to important issues and to gain support for a good cause. When it makes sense to do so, I may contact radio, television, print media and social media on a client's behalf.

17. Can you help me make a difficult decision?
I can assist you in making a wise decision by listing and defining all your options and their possible consequences, but ultimately the final decision is yours. You can also utilize my booklet, Jump-Start Your Creative Genius, or come take my class, Brilliant Thinking.

Got a question about what I do or how I work? crisiswriter@gmail.com

Andrea Reynolds: "I write VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENTS to recover money and property for financially exploited, swindled seniors."