Retainer

Retainer-based pricing creates predictable recurring revenue for the service provider and guaranteed access to the provider's capacity for the client. Compared to project-based billing, retainers are more valuable for both parties: the provider can plan capacity and hire accordingly; the client knows what to budget and doesn't face variable monthly costs.

In LinkedIn services, retainers typically cover one of three scope types: (1) content production only (4–8 posts per month, sometimes with scheduling), (2) full management (content + engagement + DM handling + analytics), or (3) strategic advisory (monthly strategy call + content review + recommendations without execution). Each scope commands a different price range: content-only $1,500–$3,500/month; full management $3,000–$8,000/month; advisory $1,500–$5,000/month.

Retainer health metrics for agencies: churn rate (what % of retainers cancel per month), average retainer lifetime, and retainer-to-upsell rate (what % of retainers expand scope). A healthy LinkedIn agency typically targets 5–8% monthly churn (15-month average retainer lifetime) and 20–30% of clients expanding scope within the first 6 months.