Retainer Calculator for Marketing Services
Set a fair monthly retainer for ongoing services like SEO, social media or ads management. Enter the hours each service takes per month, your rate, tools and commitment length to get a monthly fee.
How to calculate a retainer
- List each ongoing service with the hours it takes per month.
- Add your hourly rate and tools cost.
- Add time for calls and reports, which is easy to forget.
- Offer a small discount for longer commitments if you like.
What a good retainer includes
| Include | Example |
|---|---|
| Clear monthly deliverables | 12 posts, 4 Reels, 2 blog posts |
| Reporting | Monthly report and a 30-minute call |
| Response times | Replies within one working day |
| What is not included | Ad spend, photo shoots, new websites |
| Notice period | 30 days to end the retainer |
Retainers vs projects
Retainers suit work that never really ends, like SEO, social media and ads management. They give you predictable income and give clients consistent progress. Projects suit one-time work like a new website or a brand identity.
Related tools
Bundle services with the service package builder, price social media with the social media pricing calculator, and write a proposal with the SEO proposal generator.
More free tools and guides
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this retainer calculator free?
Yes. It is free with no sign-up, and your numbers stay in your browser.
What is a marketing retainer?
A fixed monthly fee for an agreed set of ongoing services.
Should ad spend be part of my retainer?
Usually not. Clients pay platforms directly, and you charge a management fee.
How do I avoid scope creep?
List monthly deliverables clearly and quote extra work separately.