The weekly client update email (template + what to include)
A copy-and-adapt weekly client update email template for agencies - the four things every update should answer, and how to send it in minutes so clients stop chasing.
Part of the client reporting guide
The five-minute email that stops the chasing
Most "where are we?" emails from clients are a symptom of one missing habit: a short, predictable update that arrives before they have to ask. A weekly client status report - even a few lines - reassures the client, documents your value, and surfaces small issues before they grow. It's the cheapest retention tool an agency has.
It works because it's predictable. A brief note that always lands on Friday builds more trust than an impressive report that turns up whenever there's time.
The four questions every update answers
Keep the structure the same every week so the client learns where to look and you can write it fast. A good update answers four things:
- What got done this week (tied to their goals, not your activity).
- What's next week.
- Are we on track (against the plan / milestones).
- Anything blocked or needed from you.
Lead with progress against what the client actually cares about, keep it skimmable, and make any ask of them impossible to miss.
A weekly update email template
Subject: [Client] update - week of [date]
Hi [name],
Quick update on where we are this week.
✅ Done this week
- [Deliverable / progress, tied to the goal it serves]
- [...]
➡️ Next week
- [What we're focused on next]
📊 On track?
- [On track / at risk + one line of context]
🙏 Need from you
- [Any decision, asset or approval - with a date]
Anything you want to dig into, just reply.
[Your name]Notice the "need from you" section: putting the ball clearly in their court is how you avoid being blocked and then blamed for the delay.
Send it in minutes, every time
The reason weekly updates lapse is effort - so remove it. Standardise the format (above), keep a running note through the week so Friday is assembly not authorship, and reuse the client status report template for the deeper monthly version. Agree the cadence during onboarding so it's a commitment, not a favour.
For multi-stakeholder accounts, send to the people who decide, and keep one consistent thread so the history is in one place. As the relationship scales, this is where a live status page earns its keep - more on that in the client reporting guide.
Frequently asked questions
What should a weekly client update include?
Four things: what got done (tied to the client's goals), what's next, whether you're on track, and anything blocked or needed from the client. Keep the structure identical each week so it's fast to write and easy to read.
How do I write a client update email?
Use a fixed template with sections for done, next, on-track status, and needs-from-you. Lead with progress against the client's goals rather than your activity, keep it skimmable, and make any ask of the client clear with a date.
How often should I send client updates?
A short written update weekly keeps momentum visible, with a deeper review monthly. Consistency matters more than volume - a brief update that always arrives beats a detailed one that's irregular.
How do I stop clients chasing me for updates?
Send a predictable update before they ask. When a client knows a clear status note arrives every week, the "where are we?" emails stop - and the habit doubles as your best retention and upsell tool.