Demystifying agency pricing

There is a standard response to agency pricing inquiries: “how much money do you have?” 

Agency pricing has been deliberately opaque, and there were logical reasons for this:

Scope creep is inevitable. Initial project parameters almost always expand once work begins and clients discover additional needs.

Creative approval timelines vary dramatically. Some concepts receive immediate sign-off. Others require extensive revision cycles before reaching final approval.

Decision-making patterns differ across organizations. Agencies build pricing models around indecision because every client operates differently.

Breaking from Industry Convention

We've never followed established industry practices, particularly when they undermine the trust essential to our work. Starting client relationships with opaque pricing creates immediate tension, the wrong foundation for collaborative success.

We sought an alternative approach for three strategic reasons:

Superior client outcomes. Transparent processes lead to better project results.

Stronger working relationships. Trust-based partnerships correlate with creative excellence.

Meaningful work satisfaction. Collaborating with respected clients on well-defined projects makes our work more fulfilling.

Our Solution: The Scoping Workshop

We developed an alternative to guesswork pricing without initially recognizing its broader implications. Now we lead collaborative brand strategy conversations through structured scoping workshops that establish mutual understanding and immediate buy-in.

Our Five-Step Process

Initial Fit Assessment: We conduct preliminary conversations to evaluate mutual compatibility and project interest.

Pre-Workshop Survey: Clients complete mandatory questionnaires that clarify project objectives and parameters.

Team Workshop: We schedule 60-minute collaborative sessions involving our complete team.

Brand Fundamentals Exercise: Our creative team facilitates foundational branding exercises to establish strategic alignment.

Budget and Deliverable Definition: We determine realistic budget parameters and define specific project deliverables.

The Result

This approach eliminates pricing ambiguity while establishing clear project boundaries and shared expectations. Clients understand exactly what they're purchasing, and we can deliver against defined parameters.

Our Guarantee

If you've been considering branding work but hesitated due to pricing uncertainty, we invite you to experience our process. We're confident enough in this approach to offer full refunds if you don't consider our scoping workshop the best investment in your brand development.

‍Because transparency isn't just better business; it's better branding.