Strategy Over Sales

First, we don’t have anyone on our team who is “sales” rather we have strategists. We are not here to sell anyone on anything. When we take on a project or new client its a big commitment for both parties. It makes sense to approach any new inquiry with a strategy mindset not sales. Listen, understand, then strategize the right approach. This may result in us passing on a project or suggesting a solution that isn't a service we provide.

Here’s how it works.

• Inquiries:
  • No matter the inquiry type we are always curious to meet new people and learn about their business and/or project. Our goal is to either send an email with a few questions or set up an intro call.
• Intro Call:
  • Intro calls are typically scheduled for 30 minutes. During intro calls we are not seeking every detail of the project just yet. We are trying to understand fit. During an intro call we should be able to quickly determine if there is a good fit for both teams.
  • In preparation for the intro we’ll put together a few question. Some of those a regular questions we ask on every call some are added after some initial research.
  • Here’s how we determine fit.
    1. Will our teams enjoy working with one another?
    2. Is this a project that aligns with our expertise and skills?
    3. Is the timeline and budget range realistic and reasonable compared to the expectations?
  • Keep in mind we are only as good as the information we are given so asking good questions and listening is key.
• Next Steps:
  • If after the intro call we determine there is not a good fit we’ll send an email to politely and respectfully pass on the opportunity.
  • If we determine it is a fit we will proceed with additional internal research and conversation in preparation for follow-up meetings and putting together a proposal.
  • Clients should be part of crafting the proposal. It should tailor to their project and goals. It should be something they are eager to sign. Here’s what we will discuss. The style of relationship, scope of work, responsibilities of both teams, technical info, timelines, and the budget. This way, there are no surprises when someone receives our formal proposal (SOW).
  • Note: The number of meetings may vary, typically 2 to 5 for more complex projects. Don’t rush but also let’s not waste our time or others.
• Formal Proposal (SOW):
  • If after the verbal proposal meeting we all agree it’s a good fit then we will put together a formal proposal for signatures, this will include an agreed upon kick-off date.

Pricing Structures

We offer two options:

1. Project-based pricing. If a client has a specific budget or project in mind, we can work with them on a fixed project (fixed budget, fixed scope). To ensure an accurate quote, we’ll need a detailed outline of the projects goals and scope. It’s crucial for us to have a clear scope of work to provide a fixed price.
   • Pros: Great for smaller projects. Clear understanding of cost upfront.
   • Cons: Any alterations to the scope may impact the budget and timeline.
2. Retainer-based pricing: This is the preferred method for most of our clients. After understanding your goals, we assign the appropriate resources with the needed skillset over a specific term. People can work either full-time or part-time on the project, based on the requirements. I guess people call these subscriptions these days but we’ve been calling them retainers now for almost 12 years sooooo. If a client wants to call it a subscription then that’s fine.
   • Pros: No set scope so there is 100% flexibility for the project to take shape as needed. We can swap out different people throughout a project so a client could be exposed to people with a variety of expertise but only pay for what they need when they need it. While there is a not a fixed project cost there is a predictable monthly fixed cost.
   • Cons: Not a fixed project cost.

• Note: We don’t have an hourly rate, we don’t track hours, we don’t estimate in hours, etc. Anyone estimating in hours is likely to be wrong from the start, so what’s the point. We are measuring outcomes not hours.

How We Work

• Project Management:
  • Now that it’s official, someone from our project management team will reach out to get your team connected to all the software we use to make your project successful
• Software We Use:
  • Slack for communication. Email can be too formal, we prefer to have ongoing casual conversations with people we are working with and Slack has proved to be the best tool for this purpose.
  • Notion Client Portal for project progress, meetings notes, todo list for both teams, etc.
  • Figma for design.
  • Adobe Creative Cloud for Illustrator, Photoshop and Aftereffects.
• Kickoff:
• Project Management Approach:
  • We’ll schedule regular weekly or bi-weekly check-ins to keep everyone in a regular cycle of communication. Meeting agendas will be created the day before and added to the client portal so the client can review and prepare.
  • The Notion Client Portal is the go to hub where the client at anytime can find info related to the project. This includes progress, shared assets, todo items for both teams, etc.
  • Both parties will designate a point of contact. They’ll be the main point of contact, handling all project-related discussions, questions, and updates. This approach ensures clear communication for everyone involved. However, the people working with a specific client will join the weekly or bi-weekly meetings so there’s no game of telephone.