Comprehensive Monthly Strategy: The Content Engine

An experienced content strategist in your corner every month.

Consistent planning, performance oversight, and editorial direction so your content never goes quiet and never loses its purpose.

The Problem this Solves

Content strategy isn’t a one-time project. Search landscapes shift. Competitors adjust. Your business evolves. A strategy built once and left alone stops working within months… and most businesses fall off their publishing schedule within six weeks of starting without someone keeping them accountable.

The Content Engine is the ongoing structure that prevents both of those things. Every month there’s a plan, a calendar, and the content you need. Plus, you’ll also have a strategist who knows your business well enough to adjust direction when something changes.

What’s included every month:

• Monthly strategy session (30 minutes): Review, plan, and adjust based on what’s working
• Rolling 30-day editorial calendar delivered by the 1st of each month
• Up to four pieces of content reviewed or written per month
• SEO implementation guidance for each piece
• On-call email access for quick strategic questions with responses coming within one business day (often faster!)
• Quarterly strategy refresh: A deeper review every three months to account for market shifts and new goals

$1,900 CAD / month · 3-month minimum · Cancel with 30 days’ notice after minimum

Best for:

• Businesses serious about content as a long-term growth channel
• Businesses that have a writer or internal team but no strategist directing what they produce
• Businesses that want senior strategic thinking without the overhead of a full agency
• Businesses that completed The Content Sprint and want to maintain momentum with ongoing direction

Why a 3-Month Minimum

Three months is the minimum time needed to see meaningful results from a content strategy. The first month establishes direction. The second month produces early signals. The third month shows the pattern. Clients who commit to three months consistently see enough traction to understand the value, which is why most stay considerably longer.

It also means Richard takes on fewer clients and gives each one more attention. The Content Engine is not a volume service.

How it Works

Month 1 — Onboarding and foundation: A thorough intake covering your business, audience, goals, competitors, and existing content. If you’ve completed The Content Foundation or Content Sprint, this is already done. The first month’s editorial calendar is delivered by day 7.

Months 2–3 — Rhythm established: The monthly cycle runs: calendar by the 1st, content reviews returned within 48 hours, performance summary mid-month, strategy call at a time that suits you.

Every quarter — Strategy refresh: A deeper session stepping back from the day-to-day to assess the bigger picture and see what’s working, what’s changed, and where to take the strategy next.

Common questions

Do you write the content or just direct it?
The retainer includes review of up to four pieces per month. Richard can also write pieces directly. This is agreed as part of the monthly scope. Many clients find it most effective to have Richard write one or two anchor pieces and review the rest.

What if I don’t have a writer?
Richard can handle content production within the retainer scope. For clients who need higher volume, additional pieces can be added at an agreed per-piece rate.

Do I need to have done The Content Foundation or Sprint first?
No. The onboarding process in month one covers the same ground. But if you’ve already completed either, the first month is faster and the first invoice reflects that.

What does “cancel with 30 days’ notice” mean in practice?
After the 3-month minimum, you can end the retainer at any time with 30 days’ written notice. Richard will complete any work in progress and provide a clean handoff document summarising your strategy, calendar, and performance to date.

How many retainer clients do you take on?
A small number in order to give each client the attention the work requires. If you’re interested, getting in touch sooner rather than later is advisable.

Ready to apply for a retainer spot?

Fill in the form below. Tell Richard about your business, your current content situation, and your goals. He’ll review your enquiry and respond within one business day to discuss whether The Content Engine is the right fit. There is no obligation until you agree to get started.