Building Retainer Relationships The Workstedi Way: Secure Steady Monthly Income

In this business, things change fast… sometimes, too fast. One moment you seem overwhelmed with projects, and a few weeks down the line, you’re frantically searching for work. Think about this for a bit, what if you could develop a system that helped you with predictability income-wise?

 

No running around looking for clients, or being forced to take on work you’d normally say no to just to keep things ticking. You’d be working with a few clients who understand your value, how you work, and are ready to pay your worth.

 

Sounds good, yes? This is where retainer relationships come in – the holy grail of freelancing.

 

Why Retainer Relationships Matter

Retainer agreements can transform your freelance business from project-based chaos into a sustainable operation with measurable outputs. They offer:

 

– Predictable monthly income.

– An opportunity to strengthen client relationships.

– Better work-life balance.

– Reduced time spent pitching (freeing up time to work on your skills and develop other competencies).

– More strategic long-term planning.

 

Now that we know the WHY, let’s look at the HOW of retainer relationships.

 

Steps to Building Strong Relationships

1. Prove Your Value First

Start with a project-based relationship. Use this opportunity to provide top-quality work, and demonstrate professionalism, reliability, and an understanding of your client’s business. Provide enough value upfront and ensure you can continue to help your client before proposing a retainer.

 

2. Identify the Right Clients

Let’s be frank, not all clients are in the “retainer” category… in fact, not all project types require retainers. This is why you need to look for clients who:

 

– Have ongoing needs in your area of expertise.

– Value quality over cutting costs.

– Communicate well and respect boundaries.

– Have stable businesses that need regular services.

 

3. Structure Your Retainer Properly

A part where many of us drop the ball, this part can make or break the retainer relationship(s) you want to build, you need to create clear agreements that specify:

 

– Monthly deliverables.

– Communication expectations.

– Response times.

– Scope boundaries of projects.

– Payment terms.

 

4. Manage the Relationship Professionally

This is where Workstedi is your secret weapon. Our platform helps you:

 

– Track all deliverables in real time.

– Set up recurring invoices automatically.

– Maintain organized project documentation.

– Communicate seamlessly with clients.

– Access work history and discussions instantly.

 

5. Deliver Consistent Value

– Provide regular progress updates so clients can know where you are at different milestones.

– Be proactive with suggestions.

– Stay ahead of deadlines.

– Document your impact.

 

Now we are clear on the HOW… know we’re going to show you the WHAT.

 

Using Workstedi to Strengthen Retainer Relationships

Our platform’s features and tools are deliberately designed to help you manage retainer relationships easily, and with less back and forth.

 

1. Communication & Documentation

– Attach deliverables to specific retainer periods.

– Keep all communication in one place.

 

2. Professional Invoicing

– Set up automated monthly billing.

– Track payment status.

– Maintain payment history.

 

3. Client Communication

– Send quick updates from anywhere.

– Share progress reports easily.

– Maintain organized conversation threads.

 

4. Project Organization

– Create retainer-specific workflows.

– Set recurring tasks.

– Monitor deliverable status.

 

Building with Long-term Success In Mind

1. Over-deliver

Exceed expectations in the first few months to cement the relationship.

 

2. Make regular check-ins a part of your routine.

Schedule monthly reviews to ensure alignment and discuss upcoming needs.

 

3. Stay Flexible

Be willing to adjust the retainer terms as your client’s needs evolve.

 

4. Document Everything

Use Workstedi’s tracking features to maintain clear records of all work and communications.

 

Taking Action

Now that you know the WHY, HOW, and WHAT… it’s time to act and you can start with:

 

1. Making a list of your best project-based clients.
2. Creating a clear retainer proposal.
3. Setting up your Workstedi account to manage everything professionally.

 

If you’re ready to start building stronger, more profitable retainer relationships, Workstedi is here to help you on your journey.

 

Our platform provides you with the tools to help you position professionally, stay organized, and maintain the kind of consistent communication that turns one-off clients into long-term retainer relationships. You can get Workstedi on PlayStore or the Apple App Store.