u/IAmRogueStar

My idea is to produce podcasts and content for small and medium companies. The model: one 45 minutes recorded conversation with the founder per month, and I turn it into everything they publish for the next 30 days: the episode itself, short form clips, an article, LinkedIn posts, a newsletter.

I have no portfolio yet and every prospect asks for samples before they'll talk price. So my plan is to record and produce the first episode for free fully delivered and then ask whether they want to continue at €1,200/month.

Two things I'd like a reality check on:

1. The free first episode: it costs me roughly half a day. My thinking is that it removes the "can I see examples" wall and lets the work sell itself. But I'm aware this can backfire (people take the free thing and disappear or it anchors the service as low value). Has anyone run this as an entry motion for a retainer service? What conversion did you actually see, and did it attract the wrong kind of client?
2. One price, no tiers: I'm considering a single €1,200/month option instead of good/better/best. Simpler to sell and it stops the race to the cheapest tier, but I might be leaving money on the table with clients who'd have paid more.

For context I'm solo, doing this alongside a part-time contract, so I can realistically handle 4-6 clients. Not looking to build an agency.

Any hard feedback welcome, especially from people who've sold monthly retainers to SMBs.

My idea is to produce podcasts and content for small and medium companies. The model: one 45 minutes recorded conversation with the founder per month, and I turn it into everything they publish for the next 30 days: the episode itself, short form clips, an article, LinkedIn posts, a newsletter.

I have no portfolio yet and every prospect asks for samples before they'll talk price. So my plan is to record and produce the first episode for free fully delivered and then ask whether they want to continue at €1,200/month.

Two things I'd like a reality check on:

1. The free first episode: it costs me roughly half a day. My thinking is that it removes the "can I see examples" wall and lets the work sell itself. But I'm aware this can backfire (people take the free thing and disappear or it anchors the service as low value). Has anyone run this as an entry motion for a retainer service? What conversion did you actually see, and did it attract the wrong kind of client?

2. One price, no tiers: I'm considering a single €1,200/month option instead of good/better/best. Simpler to sell and it stops the race to the cheapest tier, but I might be leaving money on the table with clients who'd have paid more.

For context I'm solo, doing this alongside a part-time contract, so I can realistically handle 4-6 clients. Not looking to build an agency.

Any hard feedback welcome, especially from people who've sold monthly retainers to SMBs.