Video and Photo retainer packages explained, why they work and where to start! | Ep1
Jasper:
Hi there. Jasper from Yellow Glove Productions. I'm here today with Matt Glover of Matt Glover Photography, who, of course, you've seen on the previous video and many other videos we've done together. Today, we're going to be talking about having a retainer with your videographer and photographer and why it works. So, Matt should we discuss-
Matt:
Can I speak now? Excellent.
Jasper:
Should we discuss just what a retainer is when it comes to videoing today?
Matt:
Yes. So, a retain client is a commitment to working consistently, isn't it, really? So, it could be that once every three months we get together with clients. Say that they've got seasonal contents, so constantly available to post on their social media platforms or websites, et cetera, or it could be monthly. But yep. And it's about us learning more about our clients as well. Yeah.
Jasper:
Perfect. I think that's a great explanation of it.
Matt:
Does that help?
Jasper:
No, that does, that does. It is, like I said, an agreement to work consistently, which-
Matt:
Yeah. Because I think you build a more consistent story when you're working with the same people, and I found, with my clients, that they can get in touch me last minute and kind of say, are you available on such and such? And they can give me a brief outline of what they need. But because I understand their brand, I take my knowledge of their brand and what they need with me.
Jasper:
So, that's a big point that I want-
Matt:
Briefs are always important. However, it's nice that they know that I understand their brand.
Jasper:
I mean, that's a big point that I wanted to go across as well. Is that that consistent work helps us to understand clients' brands and get a grasp on what they want from video, what they want from photos. And even when it's different, like a different event or a different product, service, whatever it is-
Matt:
But still approached from the same brand point of view, isn't it?
Jasper:
Yeah, exactly. So, it's all going to look consistent when you're scrolling through the news feed or through the website, it's all going to look-
Matt:
Consistent message, yes.
Jasper:
Yeah. On brand, I think is the word. But-
Matt:
Yes. Which, again, builds, [inaudible 00:02:13] trust, doesn't it, really?
Jasper:
Yeah.
Matt:
Because when you look at it from a point of view of a potential customer, it's that the business or the brand, they know who they are and what they're doing.
Jasper:
That's it.
Matt:
Yeah.
Jasper:
So, what would you think you'd recommend for a retainer? Where would you start with one if a client approached you and said, I'd like to do regular work, but I'm not sure how many hours, how many days I need a month. Every two months.
Matt:
Yeah. What's really kind of discussing, I suppose, like a content plan, isn't it, really? And what they need from it. And it also depends on what type of business is. And I mean, some people will need more regular stuff if... Yeah. Like, if you sell food, for example, it might be that your menu changes quite regularly, in which case it might... Monthly might work better. I think seasonal works... If I was to plan something, I think putting time aside to photograph and video once every three months, I think is a really nice kind of... But it's different for everybody really, isn't it?
Jasper:
Yeah. I mean, we've worked... I've had a client that has sort of built up credit essentially. And then it means that they can then come to me and say, oh, can we do this, this, and this? I check the balance and then, yeah, it's all fine because we haven't shot in say three months or something like that, then we can work towards planning something.
Matt:
Yeah. And you're just kind of ready to go then really?
Jasper:
That's it.
Matt:
And it makes it really easy. Haven't got to go through contracts and kind of pre planning or anything like that. It's there ready to just kind of just focus on the project really.
Jasper:
So, the great thing about retainers as well is it may sound like a big commitment at the start, but at the same time, it's very accessible to smaller businesses all the way to huge corporations.
Matt:
It is really flexible. Yeah. Yeah. Because I work with a lovely lady called Aime Armstrong. And when we first started work together, it was just her, and she's then gone on to build her business Ninja HR. But it's really nice that she knows that she's got me when she needs me. And I've done about three brand shoots with her. So, I understand her very well. And it's very simple when we organize it. Then also I work with a client called Everards, which is a Leicestershire-based brewery. And yet again, I've been working with them for about five years now, and just knowing and understanding how their business works, and even the kind of... The colors and the warmness of how I photograph. And I've kind of just kind of done that instinctively. But because I do all of their photography, it's all consistent. So, if you go into their beer hall, it's like an exhibition of mine.
Jasper:
[crosstalk 00:04:50] isn't it?
Matt:
Yeah. But of course, because I've been photographing with them over a long period of time, they know how I photograph suits them. And also I stand the story of the business. So, I understand the viewpoint of how we're kind of celebrating the pubs, for example, and landlords. And it's all very, very friendly, but very, very down to earth as well.
Jasper:
It takes a bit of work out for the client as well. You know, sometimes I feel like-
Matt:
But you're kind of building it together, really. Like, there's elements that they don't necessarily know, and you fill the gaps. And they either like it or they don't like it, and you kind of-
Jasper:
That's it.
Matt:
And you find it.
Jasper:
And I feel with a retainer, you can say, okay, next time let's not do that approach or let's do more of that.
Matt:
Yeah. But this is why the collaboration approach really works, I think. Because it is about finding the [inaudible 00:05:36] together. Yeah. And that's what the package is all about really, isn't it? It's helping you. It not just you're kind of just asking for something. It's like we're kind of sitting and discussing what's needed and then kind of showing it how we would present it. And then it kind of forms an approach then, doesn't it? And brand guidelines at the end of day.
Jasper:
Perfect.
Matt:
Yeah.
Jasper:
Brand guidelines.
Jasper:
Okay. So, now we've talked about what is actually included in a retainer, why it's so good. Probably good to talk numbers as well. Just give a example of some figures.
Matt:
Jasper likes those.
Jasper:
Yeah. So, in terms of numbers then, one example of a retainer would be, so 990 pounds per month. And then you get access to a full day's worth of content. So-
Matt:
So, is that 990 for video and 990 for photo?
Jasper:
Yeah. So, each rather than a combined cost. But the-
Matt:
And that's if you're looking for a day's worth of content per month?
Jasper:
Yeah.
Matt:
To keep everything really, really fresh.
Jasper:
That's it. So, you could use that whole day to do a month's worth of content, or you could save that up per month and split it.
Matt:
If you've got an event that was over a couple of days, then you maybe-
Jasper:
Yeah. Or even it could be the case that you do a half day at the start of the month, half day at the end of the month, it could be that you're doing something like a 30 day transformation of whatever part of the business it is. Maybe you're a home builder and you're looking at doing a house renovation. You want that project done at the start and at the end of the month so you can really see big change there.
Matt:
Yeah. And it's a good way of a business to kind of commit to consistent content isn't it really?
Jasper:
That's it.
Matt:
Yeah.
Jasper:
And as I always say, it's a very powerful marketing tool. You're committed to it. So, it's you're going to do it. You're going to get that consistent content out. And it's just going to change the way that you market your business.
Matt:
Retains the way to go.
Jasper:
So, hope you've learned a lot more about retainers and possibly even thinking about one. If you do have any questions, just feel free to get in touch with myself or Matt through our websites or our social feeds. Thank you for watching this video and I'll speak to you very soon. Bye for now.
Matt:
Bye.