Monthly content creation packages: what is included?
Monthly content creation packages can include planning, photos, video, copy, or publishing support. The exact mix depends on the proposal, so compare the work and responsibilities before you compare the price.
I would ask for the scope in plain words. “Monthly content” could mean a shoot and a set of files, ongoing direction, or help running a channel. Those are different jobs, and each needs a clear place in the agreement.
Start with the work your business needs
Name the gap you want help with. You might have offers to promote but no current photos. You might have a useful gallery but need direction on what to say. Or your team might need someone to prepare and publish the posts.
Bring that gap to the conversation. Then ask which parts the provider will handle and which parts stay with your team. This helps you compare proposals that use different labels for similar work.
For example, “We need new product photos each month” is a different request from “We need someone to manage our social account.” If you need both, ask for both to appear in the scope.
Read the deliverables closely
Look for the type of work, the amount, and the form you will receive. A photo library, a finished video, a short version of that video, and a post made from it are separate things to define.
Use this blank scope check with each proposal. Fill it from the actual terms; the table is not a list of Media package inclusions.
| Work | Included | Separate | Ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| Content direction and planning | Note the agreed work | Note any added scope | Who sets the plan? |
| Original photos or video | Name the final files | Name added shoots or versions | What will we receive? |
| Copy and captions | Name the included copy | Note extra writing | Who checks product facts? |
| Posting and account care | Name the channels and tasks | Note ads or inbox work | Who publishes and responds? |
| Review and delivery | Note rounds and file access | Note extra changes | How do approvals work? |
Avoid filling a blank with an assumption. Ask the provider to resolve it before the work starts.
Separate making content from publishing it
A folder of finished photos and videos is not the same service as managing a social channel. Check who writes the post, adds links, chooses the date, publishes it, and handles replies.
Do the same for paid ads. Making an ad asset, placing the ad, and managing the budget are separate jobs. A proposal should say which of those it covers.
If your team will publish, confirm what they need back. That might include captions, approved links, image descriptions, or video captions. The W3C media planning guide is useful when discussing access needs before video work begins.
Put your team's part in the plan
The provider may need products, facts, access to a space, or a person who can approve the work. Ask who supplies each item and when it is needed.
Choose one person to collect feedback from your team. Agree on where that feedback goes. A clear review step helps both sides know which version is final.
Also check what happens when a product, offer, or date changes. Ask how the team handles work already made and whether the change adds scope. Do not assume a monthly fee includes every revision or a new shoot.
Confirm how you can use the finished work
Read the usage terms for photos, video, music, and other parts of the content. Ask about the channels you plan to use, including paid ads or retailer pages when relevant.
The US Copyright Office's photo guide explains why ownership and permitted use need attention. Your actual agreement should make the rights for your project clear. Keep those terms with the delivered files.
Match the proposal to the gap
Jordan Brittley Media offers photography, video, and content strategy, including ongoing direction through a monthly strategy retainer. The scope of a project comes from the work you need. A retainer label alone does not promise a fixed number of shoots, files, posts, or managed channels.
When you share your project, name the gap, the places you need content, and the work your team will keep. Those details give the scope a useful starting point.
Questions about monthly content packages
Does a monthly package always include a shoot?
No. Check the proposal for the type and frequency of production work. Some agreements focus on strategy or existing content.
Are captions and posting the same service?
No. A provider can write captions without publishing them. Confirm both responsibilities.
Will I receive raw files?
Only if the agreement says so. Ask which finished and source files are included and how they will be delivered.
How should I compare two prices?
Compare the same work, usage, review terms, and responsibilities. Different scopes can make similar prices hard to judge.
What if my needs change next month?
Ask how scope changes work before signing. Get the process, notice terms, and any added costs in writing.
