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 get paid through a percentage of incremental revenue generated, an equity stake, or a combination of both — you pay us only when you grow. Case by case, we also decide whether to invest our own team's time, the third-party media costs, or both.
Read the full argumentWhy doesn't Pinstorm work on retainers?
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.
Why retainers are a mythWhat does 'skin in the game' mean in marketing?
Skin in the game means Pinstorm's compensation is tied to measurable revenue results — and, decided case by case, Pinstorm may also invest its own team's time or the third-party media costs. If the campaign fails, we earn little or nothing, and whatever we chose to invest is lost. That alignment is the model.
See in the glossaryWhat 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.
See in the glossaryIs 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.
Read the full argumentWhat 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.
Read the full argumentHow 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.
Why retainers are a mythHow 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 pure performance marketing is a fictionWhy 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.
Why marketing should be evidence-basedWhat 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.
Read the full argumentWho 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?
Selectively. Pinstorm prefers businesses where it sees a clear, direct path to earning $5,000 or more a month, after costs, from the engagement — usually meaning proven revenue and product-market fit — so the model may not be suitable for early-stage startups. Where Pinstorm does take on a younger company, it may structure the engagement around an equity stake.
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's compensation is at risk: if agreed targets are not hit, it earns little or nothing for the time invested — and where it has also chosen to fund third-party media costs, that outlay is at risk too. 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.