DAE start sending quick project updates and see client trust jump?

I used to just work in silence until delivery. Figured clients only cared about the final product. Then one client got super anxious and almost canceled mid job. I sent a short email with a progress pic to calm them down. They loved it and gave me more work. Now I send tiny updates a couple times a week for every project. It takes two minutes but keeps clients happy and avoids panic. My repeat business has gone way up since I made this a habit.

3 comments

3 Comments

paul_nguyen1mo ago

But what if you're just training clients to expect constant hand-holding? I've seen guys send so many "tiny updates" that clients start nitpicking every little step, asking for changes mid-stream and blowing up the timeline. Don't they hire us because we're the experts? If you're always checking in, does it look like you need their approval for every move, like you're not confident? Maybe the quiet pro who just delivers great work on time builds more real trust.

the_emery1mo ago

Constant pings might just teach clients to sweat the small stuff, which nobody wants. Better to let the work speak for itself and avoid turning every project into a group therapy session.

dianab681mo ago

Actually, the problem isn't the updates themselves, it's what's in them. Sending a note that just says "made the logo blue" invites micromanagement. But a quick, planned check-in that says "on track for Friday, attached the first draft for the homepage layout we talked about" keeps things moving. It's about showing forward motion, not asking for permission on every single choice. That builds way more confidence than just going quiet for two weeks.