Expert: Peter Gabany - 11/6/2009

Question
Pete,

I greatly enjoyed and appreciated a response you posted in 2007:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Advertising-2052/Advertising-Retainers.htm

I am a partner at an agency I helped form 13 years ago.  We have been successful (and profitable) with both fixed price projects and with not-to-exceed annual contracts with clients, based on agreed hourly rates.

Most of our projects are for larger private sector and government clients.  Recently, we have been doing more work for medium sized growing businesses.  Most don't have a marketing plan yet and we are working with them to create it, want a retainer agreement before we start.  I want to offer these clients a retainer agreement that has a fixed monthly fee based on hourly rates, but allows us to estimate projects and bill them against the retainer.

In short, I think I'm looking to do pretty much what you described you do in your post.  I have 2 questions:

1. Any chance you can provide me with a sample retainer contract?

2. Do you still recommend Clients %26 Profits or do you have a new favorite tracking tool?

Thank you in advance for your response.  I promise to send you a sharp hat %26 polo from our agency if you send me your mailing address with the sample contract.

Kindest regards,
Dan O'Donnell


Answer
Dan,

We draft a custom agreement in each case so no, we are not comfortable delivering one your way, but both AIGA and RGD Ontario make agreements available for download on their site. Please note that once in hand revise them to meet your needs and please have them reviewed by a lawyer. As much as I would love the hat and Polo - LOL! You probably don't have my size as I get my clothes from Abdul the tent maker - XXL

Please see the recent reply I made concerning retainers.

As for #2 Clients & Profit - oh yes! A real lifesaver. Do your research, but after nearly a decade of procrastination we are SO pleased wit Clients and Profits, the staff and the support. If you get it, please be patient with the system. Know that you are NOT going to implement all it can do at one time. Buy some training - it will bring people up to speed sooner and pay dividends sooner. Oddly we feel that we only use the system a little and according to our trainer, we are one of the better users of the systems available. I know that you will start to make money on a more consistent basis if you use this program correctly and if your fee structure is correct.

Let me know if I can be of further assistance.