Frequently Asked Questions
How do you charge for your services?
We offer three ways to engage our services, each with its own benefits.
Hourly Consulting
Clients can purchase a bank of consulting hours with agency president Matt Spaulding at $250/hour. It’s a low-risk way to get fresh ideas, address specific marketing or communications challenges, and see if we’re a good fit.
Project Work
We take on well-defined projects such as:
- Trade show campaigns (PR, advertising, email and social media)
- Thought leadership and sales collateral, including white papers and trend reports
- CEU courses and supporting marketing
- Corporate videos and photography
- Media plant tours
- Paid advertising and media plans
- New product launches (naming, PR, email and social media)
- Annual marketing and communication plans using our 6×6 PlanRight process
Each project is custom-scoped and priced, with most starting at $5,000. When project work is billed hourly, our project rate is $200/hour.
Monthly Retainers
Monthly retainers require a six-month minimum, though we recommend 12 months for the greatest impact. They’re ideal for clients who realize momentum and results are built over time and are comfortable working side-by-side with an invested, strategic partner. Retainer programs utilize our lowest agency rate of $185/hour.
What are the benefits of partnering on a monthly retainer?
Meaningful marketing and communications results take time, and the best results come by working from a plan with clear goals. With six- or 12-month retainers, we work toward your business goals, execute agreed-upon strategies and tactics, and measure results with you. Other benefits include:
- Predictable budgeting: A consistent monthly investment with no unexpected fluctuations
- Senior-level attention: Agency president Matt Spaulding is engaged in your business, supported by senior account managers and the full resources of our agency
- Deeper partnership: By working with you every month, we get to know your business better, which can lead to more ideas, stronger recommendations, and greater value
- Lower rates: Retainer clients receive a reduced rate of $185/hour, compared with $200/hour for project work and $250/hour for consulting
What services are typically included in a monthly retainer?
Every retainer is tailored to the client’s goals and budget. Most PR programs include a mix of:
- Press releases
- Media pitching
- Byline and blog articles
- Customer case studies
We also strongly recommend incorporating a thought leadership component, which may include:
- Award submissions
- Speaking submissions
- Original thought pieces, such as trend reports and white papers
- Webinars or special events
Every program, including those that incorporate advertising, social media, or email services, follows the same core monthly structure:
- Planning and management meetings (weekly and/or monthly)
- Execution of agreed-upon activities
- Monitoring of media, social media and email activity
- Reporting and analysis
What are your cancellation terms?
Retainer agreements require 90 or 60 days’ written notice to cancel. This protects both parties and gives us time to complete or transition all activities, ensure a smooth handoff, and communicate appropriately with stakeholders, partners, and vendors.
How do you measure and show results?
Every program starts with clearly defined goals established with the client. We build the strategy and tactics around those goals, then track the KPIs that matter most, such as media coverage, share of voice, website traffic, and leads. Clients receive regular reports showing progress against each goal, making it clear what’s working, what we’re learning, and where we’re adjusting our approach.