Performance-Aligned Advisory Pricing
Four engagement tiers. All structured around base stability plus performance on incremental growth above a defined baseline — not total revenue.
Why Pure Revenue Share Creates Problems
A flat percentage of total revenue sounds simple — but it is structurally flawed. Revenue is not profit. Seasonality creates volatility. Attribution is imperfect. And no $5M operator will agree to share 10% of their entire top line with an outside partner.
Revenue ≠ profit
You may grow revenue while margins erode
Seasonality distorts results
Macro cycles punish performance unfairly
Attribution is never perfect
Disagreements over what we "caused" emerge
Total revenue is unacceptable
A $5M brand will never share $500k/year
No downside protection
Pure upside dependency creates instability
Incentives misalign over time
Clients negotiate definitions to limit exposure
The correct model: Base retainer for stability + performance bonus on incremental revenue or profit above a contractually defined baseline. This protects downside, rewards upside, and keeps incentives aligned without attribution chaos.
Four Structures. One Principle.
Every tier is built around the same principle: incentives must be aligned with your outcomes. The structure varies based on your size, data maturity, and internal team capacity.
Tier 1
Best for: $2M–$10M revenue brands
The balanced engagement. A modest base provides cash flow stability while the performance component aligns our upside with your growth above a contractually defined baseline.
5–8% of incremental revenue above baseline
or 10–15% of incremental gross profit
- Baseline defined as trailing 3–6 month revenue average
- Commission applies only to incremental lift above baseline
- Full three-pillar engagement: strategy, execution, measurement
- Biweekly attribution reports tied to business outcomes
- Direct strategic oversight — not delegated to junior staff
Performance bonus only applies to verified, attributable incremental revenue — never total revenue.
Tier 2
Best for: Data-mature brands with airtight tracking
Lower base, higher performance share. This model works when tracking is auditable, execution is controlled, client margins are transparent, and baseline is contractually defined.
10–15% of incremental gross profit
- Requires pre-existing, auditable attribution infrastructure
- Baseline and margin definitions agreed contractually
- Full execution control over all performance channels
- Higher performance share reflects higher upside risk
- Only offered to clients with established measurement discipline
This tier is not offered to every client. Attribution and margin clarity must be confirmed before engagement.
Tier 3
Best for: Operators with internal teams
Pure advisory. We govern budget allocation, oversee channel execution, design measurement systems, and attend strategic-level discussions. We do not execute daily tasks — your internal team does.
- Budget allocation and capital deployment oversight
- Channel governance and performance accountability
- Measurement infrastructure design and audit
- Board or executive-level reporting and decision support
- Quarterly roadmap review and opportunity prioritization
This is the highest capital-efficiency tier and closest to a true fractional CMO or advisory board relationship.
Tier 4
Best for: One-time strategic engagement
A standalone diagnostic. No ongoing execution, no monthly commitment. We deliver a complete capital allocation framework — then you decide how to act on it.
- Channel prioritization model ranked by expected ROI
- Revenue forecasting by spend scenario and margin target
- Opportunity scoring: return vs. effort vs. risk per initiative
- Measurement infrastructure design and implementation plan
- Scaling thresholds: defined criteria for when to increase or pause spend
Frequently used as an entry point before committing to an ongoing advisory engagement.
Incremental Revenue: How the Math Works
Performance bonuses apply to lift above baseline — not total revenue. This is the critical distinction.
Tier 1 Example — Verified Incremental Lift
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Client baseline revenue | $500,000 / mo |
| Revenue after 6 months | $650,000 / mo |
| Incremental lift | $150,000 / mo |
| Performance share (8%) | $12,000 |
| Base retainer | $8,000 |
| Total advisory fee | $20,000 / mo |
Why this structure is fair
- You only pay performance fees on growth we generate above your existing baseline
- Base retainer reflects the value of strategy, governance, and measurement — regardless of short-term fluctuations
- Baseline is defined contractually before engagement begins — no ambiguity
- Attribution methodology is documented and agreed upon by both parties
The principle
We never bill on total revenue. We bill on verified, attributable lift above a defined baseline — protecting you from paying for growth that was already happening.
Foundational Work. Delivered First.
We complete the strategic groundwork before any ongoing fee is earned. Both sides enter the engagement with full information, a defined baseline, and aligned expectations.
Growth Audit
Structured analysis of your current revenue, channels, and highest-return opportunities.
Growth Roadmap
Channel recommendations prioritized by expected ROI, confidence level, and capital efficiency.
Measurement Setup
Attribution infrastructure installed and baseline revenue defined before any capital is deployed.
Revenue Forecast
Modeled projections by channel and spend scenario, grounded in your unit economics and margins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about how the pricing model works in practice