{"id":78585,"date":"2022-09-14T08:09:44","date_gmt":"2022-09-14T15:09:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/honeybook.site.strattic.io\/?p=78585"},"modified":"2023-02-08T14:35:31","modified_gmt":"2023-02-08T22:35:31","slug":"diversify-and-stabilize-your-income","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/diversify-and-stabilize-your-income","title":{"rendered":"Retainer offers: diversify and stabilize your income"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Retainer offers are one of the easiest and fastest ways to diversify AND stabilize your income. Retainers stabilize income because it&#8217;s a source of steady, monthly revenue. Knowing I had a reliable income made the jump to full-time entrepreneurship possible. And I want to share how you can get that stability too.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"793\" src=\"https:\/\/hbbadmin.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/retainer-offers-feature-1024x793.jpg\" alt=\"Two women looking at a computer screen\" class=\"wp-image-81531\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/retainer-offers-feature-1024x793.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/retainer-offers-feature-300x232.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/retainer-offers-feature-768x594.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/retainer-offers-feature-1536x1189.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/retainer-offers-feature.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Retainer Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chances are, your client hired you to solve a problem they couldn\u2019t solve on their own due to time, energy, skill, or knowledge. You\u2019ve provided a solution, and most solutions require maintenance for long-term impact.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A retainer offer is when you work with a client on a recurring basis. They pay a set monthly amount in exchange for your business holding a set number of hours or deliverables.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, in my business, retainer clients get a monthly VIP design day or data analysis.&nbsp; I<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">have students who offer social media marketing, copywriting, and branded photoshoots.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With a retainer contract, your client gets consistent access to you and your services in exchange for a reduced rate (typically).&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This stability means they can lock in your rates, plan their day-to-day workflows, build strategic plans as the CEO, and improve over time because they have consistent access to YOU.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They don\u2019t have to:&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Re-introduce someone to their business strategy each month.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Re-explain goals and audience.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Educate you on their offer.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><b><i>Which saves them time and money.&nbsp;<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead, you already know it and can notch in seamlessly. It provides you with predictability with income and workload. It helps you build a referral network of satisfied customers. And as a bonus, you get to refine your communication processes. You get paid a little less, but you KNOW you\u2019ll have that money each month. And as a bonus? You have more time because you\u2019re not having to market as heavily. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Retainer relationships are a win-win.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stabilize Your Income By Raising The Bottom Line<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are peaks and valleys throughout all facets of entrepreneurship\u2014client flow, cash flow, marketing, things that worked and didn\u2019t. We aim to figure out how to fill in some of those valleys a bit\u2014diversifying your income streams.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Doing this will let you focus on growing rather than constantly building. Providing the stability you need for consistency and creativity. We want to create a Retainer Threshold. Raising your bottom line so that those valleys don\u2019t seem so steep.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"206\" src=\"https:\/\/hbbadmin.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Stability_vs_Feast_and_Famine-300x206.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-78588\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Stability_vs_Feast_and_Famine-300x206.png 300w, https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Stability_vs_Feast_and_Famine.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"206\" src=\"https:\/\/hbbadmin.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Retainer_Model-300x206.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-78587\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Retainer_Model-300x206.png 300w, https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Retainer_Model.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Designing an Experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Choose Your Retainer Model:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A retainer contract is essentially a subscription for a client to access you and your work. There should be a process in place for clients to use the time they\u2019ve reserved with you. There are two basic models:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hourly Model:&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><strong>Benefits:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paid for the time you spend.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conventional and easy to explain.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protection from <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/hbbadmin.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/avoid-scope-creep\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"scope creep\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"632\">scope creep<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><strong>Limitations:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Close monitoring.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Incentivizing speed over the outcome.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ROI is tied to time rather than value.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deliverables Model:&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><strong>Benefits:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paid for the completion of tasks.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Processes can be streamlined.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clients can be more hands-off.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><strong>Limitations:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*Sometimes* harder to sell vs hourly.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Difficult to predict time commitment.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><b>IMPORTANT NOTE<\/b><b> &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> EVERYTHING is hourly when it comes down to it!<\/span>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have to set aside time in your schedule or else you\u2019ll feel stressed out. By setting aside the time you\u2019ll need to work with your retainer clients, you\u2019ll be able to maintain a schedule without neglecting your other tasks.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re both getting stability out of this agreement. Remember, they\u2019re getting consistent access to you and your services in exchange for a reduced rate.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Build Your Offer:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consider the questions below. I find it easier to create a retainer offer for a service that already exists and that I <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">know<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> resonates with clients because they\u2019re already buying the service.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brainstorm Packages:&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is your primary offer?<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much time does it take?<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What does it cost?<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How do you provide support?<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How can you continue the experience?<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How could you provide ongoing value?<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How could you support implementation?<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What happens when a client finishes working with you?<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is there maintenance?<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you enjoy doing it?<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IMPORTANT NOTE &#8211; Your retainer offer should be a natural continuation of your primary services.<\/span><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Services That Make Good Retainer Offers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Social media management<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Branded photoshoots<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pinterest management<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Content strategy<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Digital Marketing<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Website maintenance<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Copywriting\/ghostwriting<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quarterly mini-sessions<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sales or landing page design<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Launch support<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lead magnet design<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Systems management<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trend analysis<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Updating listings<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Digital ad management<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pitching for podcasts\/interviews<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sales funnel design and audits<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bookkeeping and payroll<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Marketing support<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Podcast or video editing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Policies + Access:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next up, we must figure out who has access, when, and how. This becomes the foundation for a contract, showcasing exactly what is included in your retainer offer.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&nbsp;<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who Gets Access?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I recommend starting with giving access to <\/span><b><i>past clients only.&nbsp;<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They\u2019ve already been vetted. You know how they work. They know how you work. You\u2019ve got a strong working relationship which will make this an easy sell. They\u2019re in your system. They know your process. They\u2019ve seen your ROI.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Working with past clients allows you to continue your relationship with them, build your referral network, and, most notably to the client\u2026 you become an integral part of their strategic planning. They know they get consistent, reliable results, which means they can confidently plan for long-term projects and launches.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Retainer Specific Policies:<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ve already got your policies around Intellectual Property Rights, copyright, communication, etc. Now you need to create some policies specific to retainer offers. Because this is an ongoing relationship, meaning your client will pay you monthly indefinitely, you need to communicate some rules and boundaries to help nurture a positive working relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><b>Here are some questions to think about:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do hours or deliverables rollover?<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much do you discount?<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How often do you follow up?<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How long is the initial engagement?*<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">* Initial engagement can also be termed a trial period. I typically do three months where we both commit to working together for three months so that they can truly see the ROI. In the first month or so, it\u2019s hard to pinpoint ROI, and it\u2019s easy for a client to feel that a retainer isn\u2019t worth it. And we don\u2019t want that! An initial engagement or trial period is great for everyone involved.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Retainer Offer Template<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use this template internally or when sharing your new retainer offer with clients. It\u2019s a starting point to help you organize your offer and start having conversations!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&nbsp;<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Retainer Offer:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I plan to offer retainer services for <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">[cost]<\/span><\/i> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on a <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">[timeline]<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> basis. This retainer is <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">[type: deliverables or hourly]<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the scope of work includes: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">[what is included].<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">[Retainer-specific policies.]<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is only available to current and past clients.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">[timeline],<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> I will bill the client. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">[Rollover Policy]<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clients must commit to at least <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">[length of initial engagement].<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">[Refund policy].<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Share Your Offer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many clients can\u2019t see why a retainer would be valuable. Or they know the value but are worried about adding another task to their list &#8211; managing a retainer contract. It\u2019s one of the main reasons I suggest working with only past or current clients &#8211; they know you, your value, and that you\u2019re here to help them grow &#8211; not steal their money.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s our job to show them that we can become an asset to their business when kept on retainer. Showing, not just telling &#8211; which is why I want you to map your current process.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Map Your Process<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look over your project workflow; hopefully, you have it mapped out. You can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/turnquisthouse.com\/resources\/workflow\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">see my workflow <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here as a starting point if you don&#8217;t. When do you send automated emails? How can you create a strong customer experience that builds a relationship and trust? Using a tool like Honeybook, you can look over your workflows and see where you can enhance your current process through automation!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By mapping our process, we can showcase how we manage a retainer contract &#8211; alleviating concerns or fears from the client AND ensuring that we always know the next step. So, next up, we wanna share our offer &#8211; and sharing is just the beginning of your retainer relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sharing Your Offer Through Education<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Throughout the project, sprinkle in education moments for clients to get a feel for how a retainer relationship could help them grow. This might be referencing other retainer clients, sharing a testimonial, or client win in your weekly &#8220;clients only&#8221; email.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you map your process, here are a few places you can educate your client on the value of retainer work:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><b>Before you work with a client:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What could you share to make a \u201cyes\u201d easier? &#8211; we want to be able to capture micro-education opportunities with our new process.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Share that your service is part of an ongoing ecosystem &#8211; it\u2019s not \u201cone and done\u201d &#8211; this is critical if we want to ensure clients are prepared for retainer services if we offer them.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><b>Onboarding:<\/b><b><br><\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Where can you share glimpses into your retainer process without inviting?<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get their mailing address. Send snail mail to stand out. I like to send encouraging notes!<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uncover their long-term strategy + where they&#8217;ve struggled before.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><b>During the initial project:<\/b><b><br><\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set the stage for trust.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provide support within scope.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Communicate expectations + showcase the process.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consistently connect to build trust.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><b>Off boarding. Building the Case + Creating a Roadmap + Invitations:<\/b><b><br><\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Talk about the next steps for success.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">End of Project Strategy Call.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Create a roadmap as part of &#8220;off-boarding.&#8221;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set an end date.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember: You&#8217;ve provided a solution, but it likely requires maintenance.&nbsp;<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use the end-of-project strategy call to help them know their next steps and what needs to happen to get the most out of their investment. If this is the first time they\u2019re hearing about maintaining their project, they\u2019ll likely say no. Show them the roadmap you\u2019ve created for them as part of the off-boarding process. Talk them through it like it\u2019s a sales call (because it is!). Explain the value and why this roadmap is so important.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your roadmap becomes the tasks that need to occur as part of the retainer contract.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In each project stage, you can plant the idea of your client continuing to work with you. You&#8217;re essentially beginning the sales sequence again. And you can do this through automation and conversations.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;ve delivered your offer as promised and your working relationship went well, we know it tends to be easier to retain a client than to find someone new. The time spent helping them see how your initial project had a strong ROI and that continued work will have an even better ROI. You&#8217;ll keep inviting them to continue to work with you.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Show up. Build Trust. Create Relationships.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Throughout the project, listen to your intuition &#8211; do you want to keep working with this person? Are they a good fit for a retainer relationship? Is this someone you&#8217;d be willing to show up for time and again?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Showing up means showing up where they are too. Think about your real friends. Do you only show up or engage with them when they&#8217;re literally at your table? Or do you stay in touch, encourage on social media, send notes, and keep connected? Hopefully, you keep connected.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After all, that&#8217;s one of the ways we build relationships. Relationships &#8211; in my experience &#8211; are built on connection, community, support, and then eventually trust. We want that too. By showing up, we&#8217;re setting the stage &#8211; which will help us in the project and if we decide to pursue retainers! Like building blocks, we&#8217;re building trust one step at a time.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And just like relationships, retainers can help you grow your business. Good luck!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want to learn more about designing retainer offers, strong client relationships, and building trust through design, join me {for free!} as we explore human connection and remember that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.numbersarepeopletoo.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">numbers are people too.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Retainer offers are one of the easiest and fastest ways to diversify AND stabilize your income. Retainers stabilize income because it&#8217;s a source of steady, monthly revenue. Knowing I had a reliable income made the jump to full-time entrepreneurship possible. And I want to share how you can get that stability too. What is Retainer [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":824,"featured_media":81531,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[61,195,478,154],"class_list":["post-78585","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-finance-tips","tag-creative-entrepreneur","tag-finances","tag-grow-your-business","tag-how-to"],"acf":[],"featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":["https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/retainer-offers-feature.jpg",2000,1548,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/retainer-offers-feature-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/retainer-offers-feature-300x232.jpg",300,232,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/retainer-offers-feature-768x594.jpg",768,594,true],"large":["https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/retainer-offers-feature-1024x793.jpg",1024,793,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/retainer-offers-feature-1536x1189.jpg",1536,1189,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/retainer-offers-feature.jpg",2000,1548,false]},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":"<p>Retainer offers are one of the easiest and fastest ways to diversify AND stabilize your income. Retainers stabilize income because it&#8217;s a source of steady, monthly revenue. Knowing I had a reliable income made the jump to full-time entrepreneurship possible. And I want to share how you can get that stability too. What is Retainer Work? Chances are, your client hired you to solve a problem they couldn\u2019t solve on their own due to time, energy, skill, or knowledge. You\u2019ve provided a solution, and most solutions require maintenance for long-term impact.&nbsp; A retainer offer is when you work with a&hellip;<\/p>\n","category_list_v2":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/category\/finance-tips\" rel=\"category tag\">Finance tips<\/a>","author_info_v2":{"name":"Lydia Kitts","url":"https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/author\/lydia-kitts"},"comments_num_v2":"0 comments","yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Retainer Fee - Diversify and Stabilize Your Income | HoneyBook<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A retainer fee is one of the easiest and fastest ways to diversify AND stabilize your income. 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