How Marketing Retainers Help Small Businesses Get Things Done
Brenna Connolly
April 27, 2023
As a small business owner, it can feel like there’s just not enough hours in the day to tackle everything you need to get done. Sometimes you’re doing all you can just to tread water and keep from drowning in a never-ending list of tasks. You want your business to reach its full potential and flourish in the way you’ve always dreamed, and it can be frustrating to feel so overwhelmed. Depending on your specific needs, engaging in a marketing retainer may be the answer.
With the right marketing retainer, you could have access to a full team of creatives and web gurus that function like an extension of your own staff. And the ongoing nature of a retainer allows that team to better understand your business, your brand, and your goals so that they can focus on marketing-related tasks while you can focus on running your business.
It’s also great from a cash flow perspective because a monthly retainer involves a set monthly amount that YOU determine (usually starting at $1,000) paid over an agreed amount of time (usually 6 to 12 months). That set budget determines the amount of resources the team can put towards strategy, planning and execution of mutually-determined marketing initiatives and goals.
In addition to a steady stream of great marketing work on a consistent basis, a marketing retainer creates a relationship with oodles of benefits both seen and unseen. This way of engaging might just be the way to take your business to the next level. Here are just a few benefits of a marketing retainer:
1. Develop A Strong Working Relationship: With a dedicated team of marketing pros working consistently for your business, you can count on them to be there for you when you need it! This longer-term partnership allows an agency to really get familiar with your brand’s personality and yours, too. A dedicated team will constantly strive to work better together and get into a groove with your marketing as they put more out into the world and get responses from your audience. Additionally, you’ll likely have an account manager for your retainer, so you can pick up the phone and talk to one person who knows everything about your company and ongoing projects.
2. Set & Control The Budget: Marketing retainers can be a cost-effective option for small businesses that need ongoing marketing support but do not have the budget or need for a full-time marketing person. The retainer allows you to access the expertise of marketing professionals on an as-needed basis, without the time and expense of hiring someone. You’ll determine the amount you feel comfortable spending monthly as part of the agreement and have the opportunity to change the amount at periodic intervals.
3. Receive A Flexible & Tailored Approach: A marketing retainer can be fit to meet the specific needs of your business. The marketing team will work with you to establish a prioritized list of goals and systematically tackle them. On a monthly basis, this list will be evaluated to ensure that they are working on what is most helpful to you at any given time and shifting with your needs. An ongoing relationship allows for constant analysis of results, refining the process, and improving results over time.
4. Get Strategic Guidance: Maybe you don’t know exactly what you should be doing with your marketing – that’s okay! Whether you’re looking to expand your ongoing efforts or are ready to dip your toes into something new, the right partner will be there for you. This type of relationship allows room for strategic discussion and evaluation of your marketing goals so you’ll get big-picture insights from true marketing professionals. AND with a multi-talented staff, different service areas throughout the organization can provide a range of strategic and tactical support.
Overall, a marketing retainer can provide small businesses access to consistent, strategic marketing support in a flexible, cost-effective way! A marketing retainer can be a great way to ensure your marketing efforts are well thought out, executed and analyzed for you.
If you’ve been searching for a budget-friendly way your small business can tackle your ongoing marketing needs, contact Fuzzy Duck. We can work with you to customize a service package that addresses your needs without messing with your cash flow.
