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Retainer

Ongoing advisory for a fixed monthly fee

What is Retainer?

A consulting arrangement where a client pays a recurring fee for ongoing access to your expertise. The opposite of one-off calls. Retainers create predictable revenue and deeper client relationships, you're not just solving problems, you're preventing them. In my consulting and CMO tiers, retainers include async support, weekly/biweekly calls, and strategic deliverables.

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Strategy consulting

For growth, positioning, and operating decisions that do not resolve with a template.

Fractional CMO

For teams that need embedded marketing direction, not isolated advice.

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In plain words

"Think of it like a gym membership for professional services."

How it works

Key takeaways

  • Define scope clearly

  • Predictable income changes everything

  • Build in a renewal checkpoint

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Real-world example

A company pays a creator $3,000/month for weekly calls, email support, and two deliverables. The creator gets predictable income; the client gets priority access without negotiating every project.

Related terms

Consulting

Expert advice for specific problems

Fractional CMO

Executive-level marketing leadership, part-time

LTV (Lifetime Value)

Total revenue a customer brings over time

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