Spoiler: If someone’s promising the moon for $500/month, run.
Why Pricing Varies (And What You’re Really Paying For)
Digital marketing isn’t a product on a shelf. You’re paying for:
- Strategy
- Execution
- Creative production
- Media buying and optimization
- People who know what they’re doing
It’s not just about time—it’s about outcomes.
Monthly Retainers: The Most Common Model
Typical Range (Canada-wide):
- Freelancers or solopreneurs: $500-$2,000/month
- Boutique agencies (like us): $2,500-$10,000/month
- Large national firms: $10,000-$50,000+/month
Retainers usually cover:
- Campaign planning and management
- Content creation
- Paid ad strategy and execution
- Reporting
Project-Based Pricing
Useful for:
- One-off campaigns
- Brand launches
- Website builds or redesigns
Ranges: $3,000-$50,000 depending on scope
Performance-Based Pricing (Be Wary)
If an agency only gets paid when you get results, sounds great right? But this often means:
- High fees on the back end
- Lack of transparency
- Vague terms
- Limited motivation if you’re not spending big
What Narwhal Creative Charges (Just So You Know)
- Strategy & management retainers: Start at $2,500/month
- Production retainers: Add-on based on content volume
- Project-based work: Custom quotes based on need
We’re not the cheapest. We’re also not overpriced. We charge what it takes to get it done right and deliver.
What Impacts Cost
- Scope (a few posts vs full-funnel campaigns)
- Platforms (just Meta? Or also Google, TikTok, LinkedIn?)
- Ad spend (we don’t mark this up, but it impacts workload)
- Speed (need it yesterday?)
Questions to Ask Before You Hire Any Agency
- What’s included (and not)?
- Who’s actually doing the work?
- How do you measure success?
- Can I see real examples?
- What happens if performance dips?
Final Word: You Get What You Pay For
Good digital marketing pays for itself. Bad marketing just eats budget. Make sure you’re buying brains, not just buzzwords.
