CLIENT
Not every business is a fit
for Solve Design Create...
And that's fine.
We'd rather tell you no upfront than take your money and deliver mediocre results.
Our client selection process — rooted in Constitution Article III (Diagnostic)
— ensures we only work with clients we can actually help.
WHY WE SAY NO?
Most agencies say yes to everyone. They need the revenue,
so they take on clients they shouldn't, promise results they can't deliver,
and then blame the client when things go wrong.
We don't do that. If we determine that we're not the right partner for your needs, we'll tell you — and we'll recommend someone who might be a better fit.
We say no when:
Your expectations are unrealistic (e.g., "I want #1 on Google for 500 keywords in 30 days")
Your budget is too low for the scope of work required
Your industry or market is outside our expertise
Your business model or values conflict with our Constitution
You're not willing to invest in the work required to succeed
The Diagnostic Process
Before we sign any agreement, we go through a structured diagnostic process.
It's designed to answer one question:
Can we actually help this business?
1. Discovery Call — A 30-minute conversation to understand your business, goals, challenges, and expectations. No pitch, no pressure. We're listening.
2. Free Mini-Audit — If the discovery call suggests a potential fit, we do a free, no-obligation audit of your current digital presence. This typically covers your website, search visibility, competitive landscape, and content quality.
3. Fit Assessment — We evaluate whether we can deliver meaningful results within your timeline and budget. If the answer is yes, we present a proposal. If the answer is no, we tell you why.
4. Proposal & Agreement — If we're a fit, we present a detailed proposal with scope, pricing, timeline, and expected outcomes. Every change is a priced, prepaid Change Order (Constitution Article IV).
What We're Looking For_
We work best with clients who:
Understand that marketing is an investment, not an expense — Results take time, consistency, and commitment
Value honesty over hype — You'd rather hear the truth than a pretty promise
Are willing to partner — We do it WITH you, not TO you (Constitution Article V). We need your input, your feedback, and your collaboration
Have realistic expectations — We'll tell you what's possible, and you trust the process
Respect the Right to Decline — If we tell you something isn't a good idea, we have a reason. We might be wrong, but we're never dishonest
What Happens If You're Not a Fit?
We don't just kick you to the curb. If we determine that we're not the right partner, we'll:
Explain exactly why — honest feedback is the least we owe you
Recommend alternatives: providers, tools, or approaches that might work better
Offer to stay in touch for future needs if your situation changes
We've referred clients to competitors, freelancers, and even DIY platforms.
Our goal is to help you succeed — even if that success doesn't involve us.
Frequently Asked Questions_
We aren't like most marketing agencies; here are some questions we commonly get asked:
Have you ever fired a client?
Yes.
We've exercised our Right to Decline (Article VI) with clients who violated our agreements, refused to collaborate, or demanded unethical work. It's never comfortable, but it's always necessary.
What if I'm not sure if I'm a fit?
Book a discovery call.
It's free, no-pressure, and we'll give you an honest assessment.
If we're not a fit, you'll know within 30 minutes — and you'll have some useful feedback regardless.
Do you work with startups?
Sometimes.
We evaluate startups on a case-by-case basis.
If you have a strong product, realistic expectations, and a budget that matches the scope, we'll consider it. But we're honest about whether a startup-stage budget aligns with the work that needs to be done.