FAQ
About Advokate
Who is Advokate, and who will I actually be working with? Advokate is a family-run, woman-owned marketing and design studio based right here in Glens Falls, NY. We were founded in 2010 by Kate Austin. The folks on our team include Jessica Ryle, Candice Frye, and Gina Boyce. We also have a handful of top-notch specialists on our team that we call in as-needed, such as Kate’s sister Erika Austin from Burlington, Vermont, who works with nationwide companies on their digital marketing.
What kinds of clients do you typically work with? We absolutely love working with startups, nonprofits, small businesses and artists. Our expertise is in the ability to scale the scope of our work to maximize your budget, starting with the things that have the most bang for your buck. We have a deep understanding of Glens Falls and how it works, and years of experience in the nonprofit world. Over the years we’ve worked with the City of Glens Falls, the Glens Falls Collaborative, and hundreds of others across the region and beyond.
What makes Advokate different from a bigger agency or a freelance platform? We’re not a faceless agency, and we’re not a stranger you found through an app. We’re local, hands-on, and we support our clients. We can be your one-woman-band if you’re working with a shoestring budget, or pull in our team of specialists when a project calls for more firepower. Either way, you’re getting people who show up, and you’ll get personalized attention that’s going to help your organization grow.
What are Advokate’s values, and do you only work with businesses that share them? We champion independent businesses and nonprofits, we care about protecting the environment, and we proudly stand with the LGBTQ+ community. We’re not handing out questionnaires before taking your project, but if you’re out there doing good for your community, we’re your people.
Getting Started
What happens at the first meeting, and why does it cost $25? That first meeting is where we sit down, get to know each other, and come up with some plans. The $25 is a courtesy first-time fee so that a little bit of face-to-face with a marketing expert is accessible for every budget. You’ll often leave with a to-do list, divvied up between what you can run with yourself and what Advokate can help with, depending on what you’re looking to accomplish and how high you’re aiming.
What do I get out of that initial consultation? We’ll leave our consult knowing if we’re a fit for each other, and you’ll have a tip or two, and maybe a couple of new connections. We are likely to discover there’s a lot to accomplish together and we will follow up with a proposal to show you in writing what working together will look like. A lot of folks come to us with a million ideas and could use help with a plan. We’ll help sort out what matters right now, what can wait, and what’s realistic for your budget, goals, and timeline.
I’m not sure what I need yet. Can Advokate help me figure that out, or do I need a plan already? You don’t need to have it figured out. That’s the whole point of coming to us. Show up as you are, even if “as you are” is feeling gelatinous. We love helping you figure it out.
How does Advokate work with tight budgets vs. bigger projects? We scale to fit. Ready to go all in? We bring the full team, dig in, and build it out. Tight budget? We’ll zero in on what matters most or map out a DIY path for you. Either way, we grow with you and we’re ready to level up when you are. We’re capable of meeting you where you’re at and growing with you, still here and ready to level you up whenever you’re ready.
How long does a typical website or branding project take? It depends on the size and scope, but we’ll give you a realistic timeline at that first meeting based on what you need and how quickly you can get us things like feedback, photos, and copy (that part’s often the real timeline factor!).
Do you work with clients remotely, or only in the Glens Falls/Adirondacks area? We’re based in Glens Falls and we love our local community, but we work with folks near and far. If you can hop on a call or send an email, we can work together.
Web Design
What’s included in a starter website vs. a professional website? Our starter websites are great for getting up and running: Clean, functional, budget-friendly. Our professional websites go further with more custom design, more pages, and more features. We’ll help you figure out which one fits where you are right now, and you can always level up later.
Do you offer domain registration and hosting, and what does that cost ongoing? Yep, we can handle both so you don’t have to wrangle them yourself. Costs vary depending on what your site needs, and we’ll walk you through the options so there are no surprises down the road.
Can you build an online store (eCommerce) for my business? Absolutely! We have built a number of eCommerce sites. Let’s talk about what setup makes the most sense for what you’re selling.
Will my website be mobile-friendly and show up in search results? Every site we build works across phones, tablets, and desktops. We also offer SEO and marketing packages if you want extra help getting found.
Do you write the website copy, or do I need to provide it? Either works! Got copy ready? Send it our way. Don’t have the time (or the desire) to write it yourself? We offer copywriting add-ons too. We can edit your words or flesh out your bullet points as well. We do well meeting you wherever you are and helping from there.
What happens after my site launches? Do you offer maintenance, updates, or backups? Websites are a lot like cars. They need regular upkeep to keep running smoothly. We offer ongoing support, including updates, scans, and backups, so your site stays secure and current without you having to think about it. Costs and needs vary depending on which platform we build your site on.
Can you redesign or update an existing website instead of starting from scratch? We sure can.. Not every project needs to start at zero. Sometimes a refresh is exactly what’s needed. We’ll take a look at what you’ve got and figure out the best path forward together.
Branding, Logos & Graphic Design
What’s involved in the branding process, and how is it different from “just designing a logo”? A logo is one piece of your brand, but branding is the whole story: your colors, your voice, your vibe, how people feel when they interact with you. We’ll guide you through bringing that identity into focus and then bring it to life across your logo, website, social media, and beyond. Our branding workbook and session is a really helpful piece of marketing to have going forward. You’ll feel a lot more confident knowing just who you need to appeal to and how to do it.
Can you design business cards, brochures, postcards, signs and other print materials too? Yep! Business cards, postcards, flyers, brochures, sandwich boards, signage, postcards, mailers, books, pamphlets, programs, backdrops, handouts, letterhead and more; if it’s print and it needs to look good, we’re on it.
I already have a logo. Can you help me build a full brand around it? Definitely. We can work with what you’ve got and build the rest of your brand identity around it, or help you decide if it’s time for a big or little refresh.
Marketing, Photography & PR
What does “marketing consultation” actually look like? Is it ongoing or a one-time thing? It can be either, depending on what you need. Some folks come in for a one-time strategy session, others want us in their corner long-term. We offer one-on-one consultation, marketing plans, and we’ll even sit down and work side-by-side with you on the computer if that’s helpful. Some folks use us to have an extra person to throw ideas around with, and some folks use us as the hands to make the thing their brain wants to create. We can take the time to work out your brand, your tag line, your strategy, to talk through starting up or growing a business, or we can actually get hands-on and set up your social media accounts, update your website, untangle a marketing-related problem or design something together. We also can offer personalized training, so if you’re not quite sure how to update your website or your Facebook Page, we’re here to help.
Can you manage my social media accounts, or do you just help me plan a strategy? Both! We can help you build a strategy you run yourself, or take it off your plate entirely. Whatever fits your style, your time and your budget best.
Do you offer photography, videography, or jingles? We do!
Can Advokate help with press releases or getting local media coverage for my business or event? Yes. PR and press releases are part of what we do. We’ve got that newsroom savvy for a reason, and we know the best way to try and get your news noticed.
Do you help with event planning and promotion? We do! From planning to promotion, we can help make sure your event gets the attention and attendance it deserves.
Working Together
How is pricing structured? Flat rates, hourly, or retainer? It depends on the project. Some things make sense as a flat rate so you know what to plan for, while others work better hourly or as an ongoing retainer. We’ll talk through your specific needs at that first $25 meeting and land on what makes the most sense for your project.
What if my business grows and I need more services later? Can we scale up? For sure! That’s kind of our specialty. Started with a basic logo and now need full branding? Outgrown your DIY social media? Ready to level up from that website your sister made? We can scale right alongside you.
How do I get in touch to schedule that first $25 meeting? Give us a shout! The easiest thing you can do is to book a session right here on our website. Or you can call 518-480-7075 or email kate@advokate.net, and we’ll set up a time to chat and start mapping out your plan.