FAQs

Because good questions deserve good answers

We know marketing can be full of unknowns, so we’ve put together answers to the questions we get asked the most. From timelines to tools, processes to pricing, it’s all here to help you feel more confident before we even chat.

Still wondering about something? Just reach out. We’re always up for a chat.

General FAQs

  • We partner with New Zealand businesses that are ready to grow with purpose. Our clients are often service-based, people-first, and passionate about what they do. They value strategy, relationships, and results. Most are looking for a long-term marketing partner rather than a quick fix.

  • We’re relationship marketers. That means we take the time to really get to know your business, your audience, and your goals. Our in-house team brings strategy, creativity, and collaboration to every project. We focus on long-term impact instead of short-term hype.

  • We offer marketing strategy, brand development, content creation, digital marketing, website packages, campaign planning, and ongoing support. Every service is built on strategy and tailored to your goals.

  • Yes, we do. AI is one of the tools we use to make our work smarter, faster, and more efficient for clients. But here’s the key: it doesn’t replace our people, our creativity, or our strategy.

    What AI helps with are the repetitive jobs: things like reporting, or analysis. That means our team can spend more time where it really counts: big-picture thinking, creative ideas, and building meaningful connections with your audience.

    Everything we deliver is reviewed, refined, and aligned by our people before it reaches you. We see AI as an accelerator, not a replacement. That way you get the best of both worlds: the efficiency of leading-edge tools and the originality, judgement, and brand care that only humans bring.

  • Both. We can work with you on a one-off basis such as a strategy, brand refresh, or campaign. Many of our clients also choose an ongoing subscriptions for consistent support and long-term momentum.

  • It all starts with a conversation. Book a free discovery call or fill out our contact form. We’ll talk about where you are now, where you want to go, and how we can help.

  • Yes, we do. While we’re proudly based in Canterbury, we work with clients across New Zealand both in person and remotely.

  • Yes. We provide in-person coaching, workshops, and tailored support for in-house marketers or business owners who want to upskill with confidence.

  • Our payment terms vary depending on the service. You can find full details in our Terms and Conditions. If you have questions about a specific job, we're happy to clarify during quoting.

Still have more questions?

Scroll down for FAQs on each of our marketing services.

Strategy

  • A marketing strategy is your roadmap. It outlines how your brand can grow by understanding your audience, clarifying your goals, and choosing the right actions. Without one, your marketing risks being inconsistent and ineffective. We help businesses create strategies that are focused, collaborative, and built for long-term success.

  • Our strategic marketing plans include brand positioning, competitive advantage, audience insights, content direction, and a detailed 12 to 18 month activity roadmap. It gives your team clarity on what to do, when to do it, and how to stay on track.

  • This is a hands-on workshop designed to unpack your brand, offer, and goals. We explore your “why,” your audience, and your unique position. It’s ideal for smaller teams or businesses that want to bring strategy in-house with clear guidance and tools.

  • Yes, we offer flexible subscriptions to keep your strategy sharp. Whether you need quarterly check-ins, monthly sanity checks, or an annual review, we’ll tailor a support plan to your needs so you can stay focused and confident.

  • We can help you build or refine your Strategic Brand Identity. This includes aligning your visual brand with your messaging, unpacking your core brand elements, and delivering a fully integrated marketing plan that reflects your values and voice.

  • A marketing plan outlines how you will reach your audience, while a brand identity strategy focuses on how your brand looks, feels, and communicates. Both are essential. We can help you build each one or combine them into a unified plan.

  • Yes. We offer tailored strategies for key areas like imagery, digital marketing, and video content. These help ensure your visual and digital efforts align with your overall business goals.

  • You can absolutely start small. Our Marketing Discovery is a great place to begin. From there, you can grow into a full strategic plan or subscribe to ongoing support. We’ll help you take the right next step, based on where your business is at.

  • We measure performance through reviews, insights, and analytics. Whether you're on a subscription or have a completed plan, we can help you assess what's working, what needs adjusting, and how to keep moving forward.

Photography

  • Our photography is designed for service-based businesses, personal brands, and local teams that want to show up authentically across web, social, and print. Whether you need headshots, website visuals, or campaign content, we tailor each session to fit your goals.

  • We offer three main services:

    • Corporate Headshots – Professional portraits with personality

    • Business and Product Photography – On-location shoots that showcase your people, space, or process

    • Personal Brand Photography – Focused sessions that help you connect and build trust with your audience

    We also offer photography subscriptions for regular content support.

  • Yes. For professional event coverage, we partner with our sister company, C i Media.

    C i Media specialises in event photography, videography, live streaming, and 3D virtual tours. Whether you're hosting a launch, workshop, conference or performance, we can help you capture the moments that matter, and share them with those who couldn’t attend in person.

    Need both photo and video? We’ve got you covered.
    Visit cimedia.co.nz to explore what's possible.

  • Headshots are usually done in our studio using professional lighting and direction.

    Brand and business photography is captured on-location to reflect your real environment and tell your story.

  • Yes, we do. We're happy to travel for shoots across New Zealand. If your location is outside of Canterbury, additional travel costs will apply. These will be clearly outlined and confirmed when we provide your quote. No surprises, just transparency.

  • Relaxed, supportive, and focused on making you feel confident. We guide you through the process and keep things easy and enjoyable from start to finish.

  • Definitely. Every shoot is planned around your brand personality, goals, and how you plan to use your content. We take the time to understand your needs before we pick up the camera.

  • An imagery strategy is the planning, creation, distribution, and monitoring of all visual content used in your marketing. This includes photography, videography, branded graphics, and visual templates. It ensures everything you create is purposeful, consistent, and aligned with your brand story. At C i, we can help you develop a clear, tailored imagery strategy that supports your wider marketing goals.

  • If you're creating visual content for your website, social media, or campaigns, then yes, an imagery strategy is essential. It helps you stay on-brand, plan ahead, and make sure your visuals actually support your marketing goals. Without one, your content can end up feeling disjointed or ineffective. We can help you plan, streamline, and align your visuals so they work harder for your brand.

  • Our photography subscriptions offer ongoing content throughout the year. Choose monthly, quarterly, or annual sessions and keep your image library fresh, so you're never scrambling for content again.

  • Yes. We offer combined packages for businesses that want both photos and short-form video content. Just let us know what you need when you enquire.

  • Fill out the form on our contact page or call for a quick chat. We’ll help you decide what’s right for you and lock in a time.

Design

  • We create visual brand identities that reflect who you are and what you offer. Services include logo design, colour palettes, typography, brand guidelines, social templates, business cards, brochures, and other marketing collateral. All work is delivered by our in-house designer.

  • You can start where it makes the most sense for your business. Whether you need just a logo or a full visual identity with guidelines and templates, we’ll build a package that fits your goals and budget.

  • No problem. We can work with your existing brand assets and help you expand or refresh your visual identity. This could include updated templates, branded collateral, or additional design support to keep things consistent.

  • Design templates are pre-made files for things like social posts, email newsletters, or ads. They save time and help you stay on-brand across every platform. We custom-design them for your business so your team can use them with ease.

  • Yes, we do. Our Design Subscriptions give you access to ongoing professional design support. Whether you need fresh social content each month or print-ready materials for an event, we’re here to keep your brand looking sharp and consistent.

  • Absolutely. We design for both print and digital. From business cards and flyers to brochures and signage, we’ll craft each item to reflect your brand and communicate clearly with your audience.

  • Yes. All of our branding and design work is done by our in-house designers. You’ll get personalised service, clear communication, and a cohesive look across everything we create.

  • Just reach out. We’ll start with a chat about your brand, where you’re at, and what you need. From there, we’ll recommend the right design package or subscription to support your goals.

Websites

  • We build custom websites using Squarespace. It's a flexible, user-friendly platform that’s ideal for service-based businesses. It gives you control to manage your own content while ensuring a professional, responsive design.

  • Yes. We can design and build eCommerce sites on Squarespace, including product set-up, inventory features, and optimised layouts that drive conversions. Great for small to mid-sized businesses ready to sell online without the complexity of custom platforms.

  • Absolutely. Our team includes copywriters and SEO specialists who will create or refine your content, set up your SEO foundations, and ensure your messaging aligns with your brand and goals.

  • We review your existing site and provide recommendations to improve layout, content, design, SEO, and functionality. This is a great option if your site needs a fresh set of eyes or a performance check-in.

  • We assess your site and provide a detailed report with layout suggestions, updated content, SEO fixes, and imagery direction. We deliver this in a format you can easily apply, or we can assist with making the changes.

  • For the Basic package, yes, we guide you and proof your content to make sure it works. For Optimised and Premium sites, we help create or refine content for you, including SEO-friendly copywriting and visual direction.

  • Yes. Part of our handover process includes showing you how to manage and update your site using Squarespace. You’ll feel confident making changes and keeping your site up to date.

  • We offer support and check-ins through Website Audits, Refreshes, or as part of your marketing or design subscription. You’ll always have a team to turn to when you need updates, improvements, or advice.

  • Timeframes depend on the scope of your project and how quickly you can provide input/feedback. On average:

    • Basic websites take 3 to 4 weeks

    • Optimised sites take 5 to 6 weeks

    • Premium builds can take 6 to 8 weeks
      We’ll confirm timelines before we begin so you know what to expect.

Advertising

  • We offer tailored advertising support across social media, Google, campaigns, video, and traditional media. This includes planning, content creation, ad management, and reporting; all designed to connect with the right people at the right time.

  • Yes. We offer full-service social media support including organic posting, paid ads, content planning, implementation, and performance reporting. This is available as part of a half-year or annual subscription.

  • We run campaigns across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Google Search and Display, and traditional channels like radio, print, or billboards. We help you choose the right mix based on your goals and audience.

  • Yes. We offer campaign advertising for short-term, targeted promotions. Whether it’s a seasonal offer, new service, or event, we’ll help you plan, create, and deliver a campaign that gets attention and results.

  • A strategic advertising plan includes a Marketing Needs Analysis, platform recommendations, content and media planning, and a mapped-out activity calendar. It’s ideal if you’re not sure where to start or want to keep your efforts consistent and purposeful.

  • Absolutely. We can plan, film, and edit both short-form and long-form videos for social, display, or TV. We create Reels, story-led ads, and branded videos that engage your audience and support your campaign goals.

  • Yes. Our in-house designer can create custom ad visuals that align with your brand and audience. We design for all formats, digital, print, outdoor, or video, to make sure your ads look sharp and perform well.

  • If you run regular campaigns or want consistent support, our subscriptions keep your advertising on track. Choose monthly, quarterly, or annual plans. We’ll help with planning, content, creative, setup, and performance checks, all based on your specific goals.

  • Yes. We often blend social, Google, video, and display into one strategic campaign. We’ll help you build a combination that suits your objectives and audience, all managed by one team with a clear plan.

Videography

  • Our videography is ideal for any businesses that want to tell their story, promote a product or service, or create social and digital video content. Whether you're launching something new or refreshing your brand, we’ll craft video content that aligns with your strategy and speaks to your audience.

  • We offer a range of options, including:

    • Social and digital videos (Reels, YouTube, ads)

    • Hero videos

    • Story-led promo and testimonial videos

    • 3D virtual tours
      All are designed to support your marketing and connect with your audience.

  • Yes. Our sister company, C i Media, offers professional multimedia services for businesses, including live streaming, event videography, photography, and 3D virtual tours.

    We created C i Media in response to the growing need for digital connection, especially when in-person attendance isn’t always possible. It's built on the belief that strong visual storytelling is essential to showcasing your service or event.

    Whether you need to stream a live event, capture it professionally, or create an immersive virtual experience, C i Media has the tools and expertise to make it happen.

    Visit cimedia.co.nz to learn more.

  • We handle everything from scripting to shooting and editing. You’ll get a clear plan and guidance throughout, so we stay on brand and on message. Subscriptions are available for regular content creation.

  • Absolutely. Bundling helps create a more consistent visual brand and is often more cost-effective. We’ll tailor the session to suit your needs.

  • Yes, we do. Travel outside of Christchurch will incur additional costs, which we’ll outline clearly when quoting.

  • Yes. If you need ongoing content like Reels, stories or updates, we offer monthly, quarterly, or annual subscriptions based on your needs. Let’s build a plan that works for your content goals.

  • Just reach out to us. We’ll chat about your needs, suggest a package, and confirm availability. Easy.

Coaching

  • Marketing coaching is a one-on-one or small team session tailored to your business. We help you plan, refine and confidently manage your day-to-day marketing.

  • Ideal for business owners, in-house marketers or small teams wanting clarity, structure and expert advice to grow their marketing skills.

  • Each session is two hours and includes a follow-up call to check progress and answer questions. You’ll get practical advice you can act on right away.

  • We offer coaching in person at our Christchurch office or online, whichever suits you.

  • A single session is $800 + GST and includes your follow-up call. We also offer subscriptions for ongoing support.

  • We offer guidance on:

    • Planning Meta ads

    • Building your brand voice

    • Content planning

    • Creating Reels and Stories

    • DIY social media imagery

    • And more

  • Yes, if you book three or more sessions over six months, you’ll save. Subscriptions are perfect for ongoing learning and tailored support.

  • Definitely. Every session is bespoke. Tell us your goals or topics you want to focus on and we’ll tailor the session to suit you.

Marketing referral programme

Want fresh headshots for free?

Refer a business owner who could use a marketing boost, and when they spend $1,500* or more with us, you’ll receive a complimentary studio headshot session.

Help out a fellow business and update your own images. A true win-win!

*Terms & Conditions apply

Designed Marketing Strategy Template_old CJ copy.jpg

“I’m thrilled with my
Marketing Strategy! I have become
newly invigorated reading it and
am really excited about the future.
Thank you!”

— Donna H., Turriff & Fyvie

Strategy | Brand Identity Review