# Retainer: what it is and how it works · Zorraquino
> A retainer is an agreement to pay a regular fee for access to a service provider’s work over a set period.
URL: https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/digital-marketing/retainer.html

# Retainer

A retainer is an agreement under which a client pays a service provider a regular fee in exchange for access to their work over a set period

What it means, how it is used and where it comes up, with its related concepts.

[The whole glossary](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary)

## What it is and how it works

It is common in creative, communications, consultancy and technology services. Unlike a project contract, which fixes a specific scope and deliverable, a retainer covers an ongoing relationship: maintenance, recurring campaigns, support or a monthly bank of hours or capacity.

To work well it is advisable to define what the fee includes, how requests are prioritised, what happens to unused hours and how the agreement is reviewed. Without such rules, scope creep easily sets in, meaning the gradual expansion of work without adjusting resources.

Also known as

Retainer agreement, Monthly retainer

Topics

[Marketing and sales](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/category/marketing-y-ventas)

## Related concepts

- [Scope creep](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/digital-marketing/scope-creep.html)
- [Brief](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/digital-marketing/briefing.html)
- [Kick-off meeting](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/digital-marketing/kick-off-meeting.html)