Find your exact rate
Typical project work, moderate complexity.
Factor in AI tool subscriptions
Your Rate
Day Rate
$450
Project Est.
$2,200
Retainer
$8,350/mo
Was this helpful?
Community Data
What do you actually charge?
Anonymous. Helps improve market benchmarks.
How to Use Project-Based Pricing as a Brand Strategist
Project-based pricing is the most common billing model for brand strategists. Typical projects range from $2,500 for a focused deliverable to $25,000+ for a full brand strategy engagement.
Floor
$2,500
per hour
Typical
$8,000
per hour
Premium
$25,000
per hour
Find your exact rate
Typical project work, moderate complexity.
Factor in AI tool subscriptions
Your Rate
Day Rate
$450
Project Est.
$2,200
Retainer
$8,350/mo
Was this helpful?
Community Data
What do you actually charge?
Anonymous. Helps improve market benchmarks.
What changes the price
- Scope clarity and number of defined deliverables
- Client company size and budget tier
- Complexity of the competitive landscape
- Number of stakeholders involved in approvals
- Timeline urgency or rush requirements
- Geographic scope (local, national, global)
- Whether research or customer discovery is included
Real quote breakdowns
Brand Positioning Sprint
A small business needs a brand positioning statement, key messages, and a one-page strategy brief.
Breakdown
Discovery workshop (2 hrs), research and analysis (6 hrs), deliverable creation (4 hrs), one revision round.
Full Brand Strategy for Startup
A funded startup needs positioning, audience personas, brand voice guide, and a naming shortlist.
Breakdown
Discovery, competitive audit, two audience personas, positioning framework, brand voice guide, naming shortlist, and final presentation.
Enterprise Brand Platform
A scaling company needs a full brand platform: purpose, vision, values, positioning, messaging hierarchy, and brand architecture.
Breakdown
10 stakeholder interviews, competitive landscape analysis, full brand platform document, messaging framework, and executive workshop.
Frequently asked questions
What are the advantages of project-based pricing over hourly for brand strategy?
Project pricing rewards your expertise and speed. Clients know the total cost upfront, which reduces friction. You can earn more per hour as you become more efficient without penalising yourself for working quickly.
How do I scope a brand strategy project to avoid losing money?
Define deliverables precisely in your proposal. Include a cap on revision rounds, specify that additional stakeholder interviews are billed separately, and add a 15–20% contingency buffer to your internal estimate.
Should I require a deposit for brand strategy projects?
Yes. A 40–50% deposit is standard before starting work. This protects you from scope creep and client indecision, and signals that the client is committed.
How do I handle scope creep on a fixed-price project?
Include a change order clause in your contract. When requests fall outside the defined scope, issue a brief change order with the additional cost before proceeding. Most clients accept this if handled professionally.