Questions we get asked. Answered plainly.
No agency-speak. No evasion. If you have a question not answered here, write to us directly.
The Model
How does Pinstorm charge for its work?
Pinstorm charges no retainer and no upfront fee. We invest our own capital into your media spend and get paid through a percentage of incremental revenue generated, an equity stake, or a combination of both. You pay us only when you grow.
Why will Pinstorm never charge a retainer?
Retainers create misaligned incentives. When an agency earns the same fee whether your revenue rises or falls, there is no urgency to perform. Pinstorm charges nothing upfront. We get paid only when you grow — so we only take on clients we genuinely believe in.
What does 'skin in the game' mean in marketing?
Skin in the game means Pinstorm invests its own capital alongside clients — paying for media spend upfront and earning compensation only on measurable revenue results. If the campaign fails, we lose money. That alignment is the model.
What percentage of revenue does Pinstorm take as its fee?
The revenue-share percentage varies by engagement and is agreed upfront based on the client's margins, growth targets, and the scope of Pinstorm's involvement. Unlike retainers with inflated rate cards, the revenue-share structure means Pinstorm's incentive is to maximise your growth — not to bill more hours.
What is a revenue-share model in marketing?
A revenue-share model means the marketing firm's compensation is tied directly to client revenue growth. Pinstorm takes an agreed percentage of incremental revenue generated — no base fee, no retainer, no payment unless measurable growth is delivered.
Is outcome-based marketing the same as affiliate marketing?
No. Affiliate marketing is a narrow channel where third parties promote products for a commission per sale. Outcome-based marketing, as Pinstorm practises it, covers the full strategic and executional scope — including brand strategy, media buying, creative, and conversion — under a revenue-share or equity agreement. It is an end-to-end engagement, not a referral arrangement.
What We Do
What is outcome-based marketing?
Outcome-based marketing is a model where the agency is compensated based on actual business results — revenue growth, customer acquisition, or return on ad spend — rather than time billed or media placed. The agency only earns when agreed targets are met. Pinstorm has operated this way since 2004.
How does outcome-based marketing differ from traditional agency retainers?
Traditional agency retainers pay an agency a fixed monthly fee regardless of performance. Outcome-based marketing aligns agency compensation directly with client results — no growth, no payment. This eliminates the conflict of interest built into retainer relationships.
How is outcome-based marketing different from performance marketing?
Performance marketing usually means paid digital ads — Meta, Google — managed for a fee. Outcome-based marketing covers everything: strategy, creative, media, and distribution, all under a single revenue-share contract. Pinstorm is paid only when agreed revenue targets are hit.
Why is outcome-based marketing the only kind that works?
Outcome-based marketing isn't a niche approach. It's the only logical model if you're serious about growth. The agency is compensated on actual business results — revenue growth, customer acquisition, return on ad spend — rather than time billed or media placed.
What is the difference between marketing bullshit and marketing science?
There's a massive difference between spending on brand awareness with no accountability and running campaigns where every dollar is tracked to revenue. If you can't draw a straight line from a campaign to revenue, it isn't marketing. It's decoration.
Who We Work With
What industries does Pinstorm work with?
Pinstorm works with D2C consumer brands, B2B SaaS, fintech, e-commerce, hospitality, and education. The single requirement is a brand with genuine product-market fit that is willing to share revenue upside in exchange for full marketing accountability.
Who is outcome-based marketing best suited for?
Outcome-based marketing works best for D2C brands, B2B SaaS companies, e-commerce businesses, and any company with measurable revenue targets that can be tracked to marketing activity. It requires a brand willing to share upside in exchange for genuine accountability.
Does Pinstorm work with startups?
Yes, if the startup has product-market fit and is ready to scale. Pinstorm typically takes an equity stake in early-stage clients in lieu of fees, making it one of the few marketing firms that will invest in a startup rather than bill it.
How does outcome-based marketing work for B2B SaaS companies?
For B2B SaaS, outcome-based marketing ties the agency's compensation to agreed MRR growth targets, demo bookings at a defined cost-per-meeting, or pipeline revenue generated. Pinstorm owns the entire go-to-market — from paid acquisition and content to conversion optimisation — and is paid only when MRR milestones are reached.
Why are most CMOs actually COOs in disguise?
Modern marketing has become so operational — brand guidelines, agency briefings, content calendars — that most CMOs have forgotten what marketing is actually for. The best marketing leaders think like CFOs: every spend must justify itself in measurable business outcomes.
Getting Started
How long does it take to start working with Pinstorm?
After an initial conversation, Pinstorm conducts a due diligence assessment — typically two to four weeks — to evaluate fit, define KPIs, and structure the revenue-share agreement. Once terms are agreed, campaigns typically launch within 30 days.
How long does it take to see results from outcome-based marketing?
Performance signals typically appear within 30–60 days of campaign launch. Meaningful revenue results — at a scale that justifies ongoing investment — usually emerge within 90 days. Pinstorm structures its engagements with clear milestones and review points so both sides can assess progress early.
What are the risks of outcome-based marketing for the agency?
In an outcome-based model, the agency bears the cost of media spend and time investment upfront, with no guarantee of recovery if agreed targets are not hit. This means the agency takes on financial risk alongside the client. That risk is what makes Pinstorm selective — we only take on clients where we genuinely believe in the business and its growth potential.
How long has Pinstorm been doing outcome-based marketing?
Pinstorm has operated on an outcome-based model since its founding in 2004 — over 21 years. It is one of the longest-running outcome-based marketing firms in the world.