You need a big-picture strategy, and the creative power to *actually* implement it. But when you’ve only got a spare 10 minutes here and there, you’re left squeezing all your projects and ideas into a limited time, without a chance to fix the looming long-term issues and plan for the future.
Where could your organization be next year if you had a creative partner who could develop a strategy and actually make it happen?
No, that question isn’t wishful thinking. You really can get real marketing results from real people who are invested in your success (and you won’t have to increase your staff count, go through another round of onboarding, or have more of those fun HR conversations you always enjoy so much 😏).
That’s where full-service retainers come in.
With a retainer, you get more than just design and marketing that’s nice to look at—you get a plan and a strategy that engages your audience to take action.
A retainer might be right for you if:
- You’re ready to stop pushing your marketing/creative projects off until “things slow down.”
- You’re tired of juggling algorithm changes, software updates, and evolving trends and want to get back to focusing on what you do best.
- You need a strategic plan that’s cohesive and aligns with your vision and goals.
- You’re a growing organization that needs marketing that will grow alongside you.
- You’re ready to feel the power of a true in-your-corner marketing partner.
What to expect from a TwoTone full-service retainer:
High-Quality Deliverables
✅ Everything from creative designs, web pages, and ads to fully-fledged communication plans and execution.
✅ Clear strategies and consulting that establish your brand and get results.
Projects on Your Schedule
✅ A response to any request within 24 hours and priority support.
✅ Flexibility during the busy seasons and proactivity during slower times.
Brand Integrity
✅ Your brand voice and identity is unique to you—TwoTone can help define it and maintain consistently.
✅ A team of marketing guides who can take you from where you are to where you want to be.
So, what's included in a retainer?
We’ve organized what an organization needs into three buckets: strategy, creative, and media. There is a lot here and knowing what you need can be overwhelming. We often recommend starting with a marketing audit to determine where to spend time and effort. Most people have a handful of the items below they know they need on a recurring basis, but they also wonder what else could help them improve.
Marketing
- Creative direction
- Marketing strategy
- Persona development
- Marketing planning
- Content planning
- Optimizing operations
- SEM
- Paid search
- Social media advertising
- Analytics & reporting
- Social media management
Creative
- Website additions/revisions
- Graphic design
- Promotional (shirts, pens, banners, etc.)
- Identity (business cards, proposals, email signatures)
- Brochures, annual reports, one-pagers
- Infographics
- Social media graphics, reels, and stories
Messaging
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Content creation
- Digital storytelling
- Research
- Brand voice development
- Captions
- Website page content
”I LOVE working with TwoTone Creative! We have been working with their team for over a year and their services have scaled our business to the next level—strategically and financially. Since we have partnered with TwoTone Creative, we have a lead generating website, digital marketing presence, high-end designs, and much more. I am always amazed with TwoTone's work, it surpasses my expectations every single time.
Jenny has also invested her time by mentoring me—she has helped me grow professionally and personally. Her drive and passion for marketing inspires me. Jenny has played a major role in helping me find my voice and transforming our business's marketing strategy.
Stacy MohrMarketing Manager, Hopkins Roofing
The TwoTone Difference
Remarkable
Comprehensive strategy and consulting so every project creates traction.
Relational
Real people that know how to plug into your mission and vision.
Resourceful
Proactive and creative problem-solvers who can help you find, create, and implement the right solution.
Ready to get started?
1. Call
Book your free 15-minute Discovery Call and we’ll send you a custom retainer proposal.
Book a Free 15-Min Call
2. Collaborate
We start by offloading any projects currently on your plate you’d like us to own. Next, we move into strategizing what work truly needs to be done (and by when). TwoTone creates the plan, gets your approval, and then executes it on your behalf.
3. Create + Celebrate
Let TwoTone take the wheel when it comes to your marketing, brand, and communications. Watch the results start coming in. You’ll be celebrating in no time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a full-service retainer cost?
Our clients have unique needs, which we discuss during our initial free Discovery Call. Based on your workload, we’ll provide a retainer package that’s a perfect fit for your needs and goals. The monthly retainer can vary from $3,500/month to $15,000/month. Some retainers are larger than this, but those are generally due to ad spend investments.
What are the pros and cons of a retainer vs. paying by the hour?
While it may initially seem cheaper to pay hourly, those hours can add up. As a retainer client, you’ll be eligible for a few extra perks that hourly clients don’t receive:
- All of our retainer clients automatically receive 15% off our hourly design rate, as well as priority support for all projects.
- Retainer clients receive a guaranteed response within 24 hours.
- We’ll schedule regular calls with you or your team to discuss the creative direction, strategy, upcoming projects, and communication priorities to create cohesive and consistent brand messaging.
For more information, you can read this article comparing freelancers, agencies, and in-house marketing support.
How much time will a retainer agreement save me?
Based on our experience working with hundreds of clients, a retainer of 24 hours per month ($3,500/month) is equivalent to the work of one full-time employee. For more on the difference between a new employee and hiring a creative team, read the pros and cons in our recent article.
What if I need more hours?
Sometimes workloads expand—and that’s OK! If you end up needing more retainer hours, we can grow with you.
What projects are outside of a retainer?
If you’re looking for a complete rebranding of your organization or a full website redesign, those projects are typically outside of a retainer and done on a project basis. Additionally, longform video creation is not included.
