Media advice consultancy on retainer

Mid-sized businesses, schools, associations, clinics, developers and local organisations that want a reliable go-to person for media matters.

Monthly retainers for ongoing advice, plus extra fees for media training workshops, crisis support and special projects.

• Media and communications experience
• Judgement in sensitive situations
• Sales and relationship building
• Running workshops

• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
• Retainer scope creep and after-hours crisis calls, set response times in writing
• Confidentiality and conflicts of interest between clients
• Workers compensation insurance and employment rules once you hire staff, check your state scheme
• Possible need for a small serviced office or meeting space, check costs and council rules if working from home

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your insurance, equipment and whether you need a serviced office or meeting space. Working from home can keep costs toward the lower end.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many retainer clients you hold, your fees and whether you bring in an associate. Full-time work is about 30 hours a week.

Check professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and set response times in writing to manage scope creep and after-hours crisis calls. Also consider confidentiality, conflicts of interest between clients, and workers compensation if you hire staff.