# Retainer

Concept · [Business and metrics](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/business)

Also called: retainers, monthly retainer, retainer agreement, on retainer

An ongoing services arrangement where a client pays a set amount each month to reserve a provider's time or [attention](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/attention).

**For example:** A startup keeps a designer on a monthly retainer for up to 20 hours of work.

## Connects to (6)

- [Fixed-price engagement](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/fixed-price-engagement): A services deal where the client pays one agreed price for a defined result, no matter how many hours it takes.
- [Engagement letter](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/engagement-letter): A short contract that starts a professional services relationship.
- [Contractor vs employee](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/contractor-vs-employee): A contractor is an outside person or firm you pay for a defined piece of work, and they decide how to do it.
- [Cash flow](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/cash-flow): The timing of money coming into and going out of a business.
- [Fractional executive](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/fractional-executive): An experienced leader who works for several companies at once, each for part of the week, usually for a monthly fee.
- [Time and materials](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/time-and-materials): A way to pay for services by the hour or day worked, plus costs, instead of a set price for the whole job.

Map view: https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/retainer