WATCH: How We're Changing The Agency Model By Switching To Value-Based Retainers

What does it actually look like to move away from timesheets and hourly billing, and instead build client relationships around outcomes instead? And how do you make sure both sides buy in to make it work long-term?

In this video conversation, Daniel Swepson (Co-Founder of Next Chapter) and Charlie Hartley (Founder of Show + Tell) talk through why both agencies recently began offering value-based retainers, what the shift actually involved in practice, and what needs to be in place for the model to succeed.

"Some clients got it right away, and I think they were actually quite relieved. Talking about time and hours isn't exactly the most fun conversation for them either." - Daniel Swepson, Next Chapter

What We Cover In The Conversation

In the full video, Daniel and Charlie discuss:

• Why the traditional time-and-materials retainer model was holding client relationships back
• How clients responded when the conversation shifted from hours to outcomes - and why many were relieved, rather than resistant
• What 'value' actually means in an agency context, and how to anchor it back to growth and results
• How accountability changes under a value-based model, and why ownership of channels matters
• Why trust, on both sides, is the foundation that makes the whole thing work
• What Daniel and Charlie would say to any agency or client curious about making the switch

Watch The Full Conversation

Ready to dive in? Watch the full conversation below.