Unexpected Impact: Turning a Design Job into a Full-Scale Opportunity

Ever noticed something “off” while working on a project that others might miss? When I designed the interior of a self-help book, I discovered the author hadn’t included a copyeditor in the review process — and it became an opportunity to improve both the design and the content.

As an example of C.A.R.E. (Context, Action, Results, Effect):

Context:  I was hired to design the interior layout of a self-help book — developing the visual style for body text, pull quotes, and other special content.

Action:  As I worked through the manuscript, I noticed grammatical errors and inconsistent structure, so I proactively alerted the author and made small edits.

Results:  The author was so impressed with my work that what started as a $400 project increased to $1200 to include a full copyediting service.

Effect:  As a result, the book was not only visually engaging, but it also became easier to read and the writing, stronger — improving the overall reader experience and boosting the author’s credibility.

Have you ever spotted an opportunity to add value to a project beyond the original scope? How did you approach it? Share your experiences in the comments!

And, if you’d like to talk more about ways Pivot Fairy can help you communicate your impact more effectively, schedule a free 20-minute Discovery Call.