How long have you been in marketing?

I’ve been a marketer for most of my adult working life (20+ years)! I started out in music marketing, working for small, independent record labels. Eventually, I found my way to a digital marketing agency, spent a couple of years there, and then freelanced for almost a decade! Ultimately, it lead me here, to Couillard Creative Consulting…and I’m so grateful it did!

Why do you work only with service-based companies?

Put simply: I prefer it. In my personal life, I do a lot of volunteering for my community and I find it really fulfilling. When I started dreaming up C3, I knew that what would make me happiest in my professional life, was helping businesses and organizations that help others accomplish the things that matter to them.

Do you ever make exceptions to the service-based rule?

I do, but only when I really think it makes sense for me. Now and then a product-based business approaches me for help, and if I feel like it’s something I really want to take on - if it excites me - I’ll consider making an exception. Usually, this happens when a retail/product-based business is also working to better the world in some way.

Do you offer any services on retainer?

Only for a few services, as I’ll explain below.

I used to work exclusively on retainer, but it was not the business model that I felt worked best for me, or my lifestyle.

However, I do currently have two retainer clients - The Painted Goat and Vitality Kickboxing, whose social media I handle. If you’re interested in Social Media Management on a retainer basis, we can definitely discuss it.

I am also starting to open up retainer services to my web design clients, once the build project is complete. This way, if they feel more comfortable having me make updates or changes to their website rather than doing it themselves, they know I’m available to them. (Alternatively, they can pay me my hourly fee on an as-needed basis.)

And, finally, I offer my coaching services on retainer, due to the nature of a coaching/client relationship.

How do you charge for services rendered?

Good question!

I offer three options.

Packages: These are pre-determined service groupings (such as website or branding packages) performed for a flat fee. When a client signs up for a package, I require 50% paid upfront, and 50% paid after completion but before delivery.

Hourly: These services are performed at my hourly rate. At the end of the month, the client is invoiced and pays in full. This is typically for clients who require a blend of consulting and project work, and aren’t sure how much of my time they’ll need a month.

Retainer: As previously explained, I offer some services on retainer - social media marketing (I only take a few SM clients at a time, however), website maintenance (for web design clients only), and coaching.

Why do you prefer to build websites on Squarespace?

Oh, so many reasons!

Squarespace is perfect for building websites that can then be handed off to clients easily once the project is complete.

As part of ALL my website packages, I include training on the Squarespace CMS so that you, the client, can take the reigns - and control - of your website!

Additionally, I’m a Squarespace Circle member - which means I can pass on some savings to my clients when they choose to build on Squarespace - such as 20% off new annual website subscriptions!