[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":75},["ShallowReactive",2],{"i-material-symbols:language":3,"i-material-symbols:person":8,"i-mdi:instagram":10,"i-mdi:youtube":12,"i-ri:linkedin-fill":14,"i-ri:twitter-x-line":16,"i-ri:facebook-fill":18,"post-protect-billable-agency-hours-with-dam":20,"i-material-symbols:person-outline":69,"i-material-symbols:calendar-month":71,"i-mdi:schedule":73},{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":7},0,24,false,"\u003Cpath fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M8.125 21.213q-1.825-.788-3.187-2.15t-2.15-3.188T2 11.988t.788-3.875t2.15-3.175t3.187-2.15T12.013 2t3.875.788t3.175 2.15t2.15 3.175t.787 3.875t-.787 3.887t-2.15 3.188t-3.175 2.15t-3.875.787t-3.888-.787M12 19.95q.65-.9 1.125-1.875T13.9 16h-3.8q.3 1.1.775 2.075T12 19.95m-2.6-.4q-.45-.825-.787-1.713T8.05 16H5.1q.725 1.25 1.813 2.175T9.4 19.55m5.2 0q1.4-.45 2.488-1.375T18.9 16h-2.95q-.225.95-.562 1.838T14.6 19.55M4.25 14h3.4q-.075-.5-.112-.987T7.5 12t.038-1.012T7.65 10h-3.4q-.125.5-.187.988T4 12t.063 1.013t.187.987m5.4 0h4.7q.075-.5.113-.987T14.5 12t-.038-1.012T14.35 10h-4.7q-.075.5-.112.988T9.5 12t.038 1.013t.112.987m6.7 0h3.4q.125-.5.188-.987T20 12t-.062-1.012T19.75 10h-3.4q.075.5.113.988T16.5 12t-.038 1.013t-.112.987m-.4-6h2.95q-.725-1.25-1.812-2.175T14.6 4.45q.45.825.788 1.713T15.95 8M10.1 8h3.8q-.3-1.1-.775-2.075T12 4.05q-.65.9-1.125 1.875T10.1 8m-5 0h2.95q.225-.95.563-1.838T9.4 4.45Q8 4.9 6.912 5.825T5.1 8\"\u002F>",{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":9},"\u003Cpath fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M9.175 10.825Q8 9.65 8 8t1.175-2.825T12 4t2.825 1.175T16 8t-1.175 2.825T12 12t-2.825-1.175M4 20v-2.8q0-.85.438-1.562T5.6 14.55q1.55-.775 3.15-1.162T12 13t3.25.388t3.15 1.162q.725.375 1.163 1.088T20 17.2V20z\"\u002F>",{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":11},"\u003Cpath fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M7.8 2h8.4C19.4 2 22 4.6 22 7.8v8.4a5.8 5.8 0 0 1-5.8 5.8H7.8C4.6 22 2 19.4 2 16.2V7.8A5.8 5.8 0 0 1 7.8 2m-.2 2A3.6 3.6 0 0 0 4 7.6v8.8C4 18.39 5.61 20 7.6 20h8.8a3.6 3.6 0 0 0 3.6-3.6V7.6C20 5.61 18.39 4 16.4 4zm9.65 1.5a1.25 1.25 0 0 1 1.25 1.25A1.25 1.25 0 0 1 17.25 8A1.25 1.25 0 0 1 16 6.75a1.25 1.25 0 0 1 1.25-1.25M12 7a5 5 0 0 1 5 5a5 5 0 0 1-5 5a5 5 0 0 1-5-5a5 5 0 0 1 5-5m0 2a3 3 0 0 0-3 3a3 3 0 0 0 3 3a3 3 0 0 0 3-3a3 3 0 0 0-3-3\"\u002F>",{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":13},"\u003Cpath fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"m10 15l5.19-3L10 9zm11.56-7.83c.13.47.22 1.1.28 1.9c.07.8.1 1.49.1 2.09L22 12c0 2.19-.16 3.8-.44 4.83c-.25.9-.83 1.48-1.73 1.73c-.47.13-1.33.22-2.65.28c-1.3.07-2.49.1-3.59.1L12 19c-4.19 0-6.8-.16-7.83-.44c-.9-.25-1.48-.83-1.73-1.73c-.13-.47-.22-1.1-.28-1.9c-.07-.8-.1-1.49-.1-2.09L2 12c0-2.19.16-3.8.44-4.83c.25-.9.83-1.48 1.73-1.73c.47-.13 1.33-.22 2.65-.28c1.3-.07 2.49-.1 3.59-.1L12 5c4.19 0 6.8.16 7.83.44c.9.25 1.48.83 1.73 1.73\"\u002F>",{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":15},"\u003Cpath fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M6.94 5a2 2 0 1 1-4-.002a2 2 0 0 1 4 .002M7 8.48H3V21h4zm6.32 0H9.34V21h3.94v-6.57c0-3.66 4.77-4 4.77 0V21H22v-7.93c0-6.17-7.06-5.94-8.72-2.91z\"\u002F>",{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":17},"\u003Cpath fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M10.488 14.651L15.25 21h7l-7.858-10.478L20.93 3h-2.65l-5.117 5.886L8.75 3h-7l7.51 10.015L2.32 21h2.65zM16.25 19L5.75 5h2l10.5 14z\"\u002F>",{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":19},"\u003Cpath fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M14 13.5h2.5l1-4H14v-2c0-1.03 0-2 2-2h1.5V2.14c-.326-.043-1.557-.14-2.857-.14C11.928 2 10 3.657 10 6.7v2.8H7v4h3V22h4z\"\u002F>",{"postType":21,"id":22,"author":23,"date":26,"modified":27,"title":28,"slug":29,"seoTitle":30,"seoDescription":31,"excerpt":32,"trimmedExcerpt":33,"content":34,"readingTime":35,"featuredImage":36,"postCategory":42,"relatedPosts":47},"post",71044,{"id":24,"name":25},"author-160815050205001923050520","Phoebe Sweet","2025-08-28T10:41:21","2026-06-09T08:34:05","Protect billable hours and drive agency profitability with DAM","protect-billable-agency-hours-with-dam","Protect Billable Agency Hours with DAM","Centralize assets, cut tedious tasks, and protect billable hours with a DAM platform that helps agencies save time, reduce rework, and increase profit.","For agencies, every hour matters. From brainstorming a pitch to finalizing client deliverables, time is the currency that drives revenue. That’s why understanding and protecting your billable hours is so important. Yet too often, agencies see profit eroded by work that doesn’t get billed; time lost to file searches, approval delays, or repetitive admin tasks. […]","For agencies, every hour matters. From brainstorming a pitch to finalizing client deliverables, time is the currency that drives revenue....","\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For agencies, every hour matters. From brainstorming a pitch to finalizing client deliverables, time is the currency that drives revenue. That’s why understanding and protecting your billable hours is so important.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yet too often, agencies see profit eroded by work that doesn’t get billed; time lost to file searches, approval delays, or repetitive admin tasks. By clarifying the meaning of billable hours and investing in the right tools, agencies can ensure more time translates directly into value for clients and healthier margins.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, what does it take to protect your team’s billable hours and keep profit strong? Agencies are turning to \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fdigital-asset-management\u002F\">digital asset management\u003C\u002Fa> (DAM) platforms to centralize content, streamline workflows, and improve \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fblog\u002Fonline-collaboration\u002F\">online collaboration\u003C\u002Fa>. Let’s break down what are billable hours, what is non billable hours, where agencies lose them, and how a DAM solution can help you win them back.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"toc-1--what-are-billable-hours\">What are billable hours?\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The definition of billable hours is: \u003Cstrong>the hours your agency spends directly on client projects that can be invoiced\u003C\u002Fstrong>. These are the strategy sessions, the campaign assets, and the client meetings — the time that translates into revenue.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Billable hours meaning in practice:\u003C\u002Fstrong> When a designer builds campaign visuals, a project manager meets with a client, or a copywriter fine-tunes ad copy, those hours “count”.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>How do billable hours work?\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003Ca href=\"\u002Findustries\u002Fagencies\u002F\">Agencies\u003C\u002Fa> track time spent, then invoice clients based on agreed hourly rates or retainers.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>What are non billable hours?\u003C\u002Fstrong> Time spent on tasks like \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fglossary\u002Ffile-management\u002F\">file management\u003C\u002Fa>, internal training, or manual admin. These hours matter, but they don’t make it onto an invoice.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The real challenge is the constant tug-of-war between billable vs non billable tasks. Every lost revision and every misfiled asset eats into the hours that should be generating profit. The balance of billable hours vs non billable hours often determines whether a project drives growth or drains resources.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"toc-2--where-agencies-lose-billable-hours\">Where agencies lose billable hours\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even the most organized teams see valuable hours slip away in small, preventable ways:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Scattered assets:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Designers spend half a day tracking down the right logo, video version, or \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fblog\u002Fbrand-style-guide\u002F\">brand style guide\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Fragmented workflows:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Account managers chase client feedback across email threads, Slack conversations, and shared drives.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Rework:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Creatives redo social posts or brochure edits because the approved version can’t be found.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Manual admin:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Project managers waste hours renaming, tagging, or uploading files.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each task on its own seems minor. But multiply them across teams, projects, and clients, and they add up to hundreds of hours every year. That’s time no one can bill and profit left on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"880\" height=\"439\" src=\"\u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2025\u002F08\u002F28130918\u002Fsafeguard-billable-hours-1.jpg\" alt=\"Agencies use digital asset management (DAM) platforms to protect their time. In this image an agency member is searching in a DAM to find the images they need. \" class=\"wp-image-71049\" srcset=\"\u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2025\u002F08\u002F28130918\u002Fsafeguard-billable-hours-1.jpg 880w, \u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2025\u002F08\u002F28130918\u002Fsafeguard-billable-hours-1-450x224.jpg 450w, \u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2025\u002F08\u002F28130918\u002Fsafeguard-billable-hours-1-768x383.jpg 768w\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"toc-3--5-ways-dam-platforms-maximize-billable-hours\">5 ways DAM platforms maximize billable hours\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A digital asset management (DAM) system helps agencies eliminate the time leaks. By centralizing assets, automating tedious tasks, and streamlining collaboration, DAM platforms can transform busy work into billable hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"toc-4--1-centralize-content-for-instant-access\">1. Centralize content for instant access\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead of hunting through shared drives or asking colleagues to resend files, teams can find what they need instantly. A DAM system becomes the single source of truth for campaign files, pitch decks, client logos, and more.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plus, with powerful search features, like AI powered search, team members can pull up the right asset in seconds — whether it’s a specific video cut from last year or the latest version of a new logo. Less time chasing files means more time spent on client work that drives revenue.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"toc-5--2-automate-the-busywork\">2. Automate the busywork\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tagging, filing, and organizing \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fglossary\u002Fdigital-assets\u002F\">digital assets\u003C\u002Fa> are notorious time sinks. Robust DAM platforms take these repetitive tasks off your plate with AI-driven auto-tagging, \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fblog\u002Fsmart-tags\u002F\">smart tags\u003C\u002Fa>, smart sorting, and text recognition.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That means project managers aren’t spending hours labeling files. Instead, they’re focusing on moving campaigns forward. The less manual admin you do, the more hours you can redirect to client work.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"toc-6--3-streamline-reviews-and-approvals\">3. Streamline reviews and approvals\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Waiting for client feedback can be one of the biggest drains on productivity. Email chains stretch on, version history gets murky, and deadlines start to slip.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">DAM platforms simplify approvals with structured \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fblog\u002Fdigital-asset-management-workflow\u002F\">digital asset management workflow\u003C\u002Fa>s. Everyone, from designers to account managers to clients, can see the same version, add comments, and keep content moving. Agencies that centralize feedback loops cut review cycles, reduce errors, and save countless hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"toc-7--4-protect-brand-consistency-and-reduce-rework\">4. Protect brand consistency and reduce rework\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Few things eat up more non billable time than preventable mistakes. Using the wrong logo. Sending an outdated file. Delivering content that isn’t brand compliant. All easy slip ups without a centralized source of truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">DAM systems prevent those errors with \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fglossary\u002Fversion-control\u002F\">version control\u003C\u002Fa>, expiration dates, and brand templates. Teams can move fast without risking off-brand deliverables. That means fewer rounds of corrections, more client trust, and more billable hours protected.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"toc-8--5-deliver-polished-client-ready-experiences\">5. Deliver polished, client-ready experiences\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Delivery should be the easiest part of the process, not another headache. Instead of emailing zip files or juggling DropBox links, agencies can share work through \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fblog\u002Fbrand-portal\u002F\">brand portal\u003C\u002Fa>s.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These curated hubs give clients a professional, on-brand view of final assets. They’re easy to access, easy to share, and they eliminate the confusion that leads to rework.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"toc-9--profitability-starts-with-protecting-time\">Profitability starts with protecting time\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The meaning of billable hours is simple: time spent creating value for clients. The harder part is making sure those hours aren’t swallowed by inefficiency.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By centralizing content, automating routine tasks, and streamlining collaboration, DAM platforms reduce wasted time and increase billable hours. While non billable hours will always exist, a DAM system tips the balance toward the work that fuels agency growth.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\">\u003Ca href=\"\u002Febooks\u002Fdigital-asset-management-for-agencies\u002F?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=content_cta&utm_campaign=canto_content_fy25&utm_content=guide_agencies\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"250\" src=\"\u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2017\u002F10\u002F22124548\u002FCopy-of-ROI-CTA-blog-post.png\" alt=\"Person from a creative agency working on a laptop. Icons representing workflows and collaboration float around them. \" class=\"wp-image-71031\" srcset=\"\u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2017\u002F10\u002F22124548\u002FCopy-of-ROI-CTA-blog-post.png 850w, \u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2017\u002F10\u002F22124548\u002FCopy-of-ROI-CTA-blog-post-450x132.png 450w, \u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2017\u002F10\u002F22124548\u002FCopy-of-ROI-CTA-blog-post-768x226.png 768w\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Ffigure>",5,{"url":37,"url_md":38,"alt":39,"height":40,"width":41},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.canto.com\u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2025\u002F08\u002F28130920\u002Fsafeguard-billable-hours-feature.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.canto.com\u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2025\u002F08\u002F28130920\u002Fsafeguard-billable-hours-feature-450x236.jpg","",630,1200,[43],{"id":44,"slug":44,"title":45,"path":46},"marketing-technology","Marketing technology","\u002Fpost-category\u002Fmarketing-technology\u002F",[48,55,62],{"featuredImage":49,"postId":50,"slug":51,"title":52,"description":53,"path":54},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.canto.com\u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2020\u002F05\u002F19191848\u002Fpodcast-creation-software-450x300.jpg",44582,"podcast-creation-software","The 3 most important podcast creation software tools available","The right podcast creation software is arguably more important than the right hardware. Check out these 3 unique systems to enhance your podcast.","\u002Fblog\u002Fpodcast-creation-software\u002F",{"featuredImage":56,"postId":57,"slug":58,"title":59,"description":60,"path":61},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.canto.com\u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2018\u002F10\u002F19194837\u002Fimage-hosting-26.jpg",17690,"image-hosting","5 unique image hosting services for all user types","Image hosting is a necessity so learn which sites suit your needs. Here are advantages and disadvantages of five different image hosting systems.","\u002Fblog\u002Fimage-hosting\u002F",{"featuredImage":63,"postId":64,"slug":65,"title":66,"description":67,"path":68},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.canto.com\u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F19192354\u002Fdata-archiving-25-450x270.jpg",26726,"data-archiving","IT archiving: How enterprises preserve, manage, and access critical data","Data archiving helps companies separate valuable data that is lesser-used into a safe place. Learn how it works and its difference from backing up data.","\u002Fblog\u002Fdata-archiving\u002F",{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":70},"\u003Cpath fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M9.175 10.825Q8 9.65 8 8t1.175-2.825T12 4t2.825 1.175T16 8t-1.175 2.825T12 12t-2.825-1.175M4 20v-2.8q0-.85.438-1.562T5.6 14.55q1.55-.775 3.15-1.162T12 13t3.25.388t3.15 1.162q.725.375 1.163 1.088T20 17.2V20zm2-2h12v-.8q0-.275-.137-.5t-.363-.35q-1.35-.675-2.725-1.012T12 15t-2.775.338T6.5 16.35q-.225.125-.363.35T6 17.2zm7.413-8.587Q14 8.825 14 8t-.587-1.412T12 6t-1.412.588T10 8t.588 1.413T12 10t1.413-.587M12 18\"\u002F>",{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":72},"\u003Cpath fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M12 14q-.425 0-.712-.288T11 13t.288-.712T12 12t.713.288T13 13t-.288.713T12 14m-4.712-.288Q7 13.426 7 13t.288-.712T8 12t.713.288T9 13t-.288.713T8 14t-.712-.288M16 14q-.425 0-.712-.288T15 13t.288-.712T16 12t.713.288T17 13t-.288.713T16 14m-4 4q-.425 0-.712-.288T11 17t.288-.712T12 16t.713.288T13 17t-.288.713T12 18m-4.712-.288Q7 17.426 7 17t.288-.712T8 16t.713.288T9 17t-.288.713T8 18t-.712-.288M16 18q-.425 0-.712-.288T15 17t.288-.712T16 16t.713.288T17 17t-.288.713T16 18M5 22q-.825 0-1.412-.587T3 20V6q0-.825.588-1.412T5 4h1V2h2v2h8V2h2v2h1q.825 0 1.413.588T21 6v14q0 .825-.587 1.413T19 22zm0-2h14V10H5z\"\u002F>",{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":74},"\u003Cpath fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M12 20a8 8 0 0 0 8-8a8 8 0 0 0-8-8a8 8 0 0 0-8 8a8 8 0 0 0 8 8m0-18a10 10 0 0 1 10 10a10 10 0 0 1-10 10C6.47 22 2 17.5 2 12A10 10 0 0 1 12 2m.5 5v5.25l4.5 2.67l-.75 1.23L11 13V7z\"\u002F>",1787893311435]