The short answer
To run a monthly client reporting call, send the dashboard a day before, then use a fixed 30-minute agenda: results against goals in business terms (leads, sales, cost per customer), what worked and what didn’t with reasons, what you changed, what you need from the client, and next month’s plan. Follow up in writing the same day with decisions and owners.
Before you start
By the end of this SOP
A monthly call with a clear agenda, written decisions and a shared plan.
- Time
- 30 minutes plus 30 minutes of preparation
- You’ll need
- The dashboard (SOP 349), CRM data, and last month’s action list.
- Who does this
- The account manager or freelancer.
About this SOP: why it matters, where and when
Why it matters: Clear, regular reporting builds trust, surfaces problems early and keeps retainers going.
Where: Google Meet or Zoom, the dashboard and a shared notes document.
When: In the first week of every month.
Stage 1
Prepare
- 1
Check dashboard numbers against platforms and the CRM; fix any mismatch before the call.
- 2
Write 3 headlines: the main result, the main problem and the main opportunity.
- 3
Send the dashboard link and the agenda a day before.
Stage 2
Run the call (30 minutes)
- 1
5 min – Results vs goals: qualified leads, sales, cost per customer, MER. Compare with last month and target.
- 2
10 min – What worked, what didn’t and why, with one example each (an ad, a keyword, a page).
- 3
5 min – What we changed and what we learned.
- 4
5 min – What we need from you: lead feedback, offers, photos, approvals.
- 5
5 min – Next month’s plan and any budget decisions.
Stage 3
Handle bad months
- 1
Say it first: “Leads were down 25%. Here’s why and what we’re doing.” Don’t hide it in charts.
- 2
Separate causes: market and season, tracking, offer and sales follow-up, or our campaigns.
- 3
Agree one or two fixes with dates, not a long list.
Stage 4
Follow up
- 1
Same day: email or WhatsApp a summary with results, decisions, actions, owners and dates.
- 2
Update the action list and check it at the start of next month’s call.
Practice & check
Now do it for real
Reading is not doing. Open your own account and complete this task before you move on.
Practice task (5 min)
Write the 3 headlines and the “what we need from you” list for a sample month where leads fell but lead quality improved.
Prove it
Two questions. Get both right and this SOP is done.
Common questions
How long should a client report call be?
About 30 minutes for most small clients.
Should I send a PDF report too?
A live dashboard plus a short written summary is usually enough.
What if the client never joins the call?
Send a 5-line written summary and a 2-minute screen recording instead.
Done. That’s a real skill, not a certificate.
Next: SOP 355 — Set Up Email Marketing With Brevo (Free Plan) →
Want to do this on real client budgets, with a mentor checking your work? That’s Level 2 at Unlearn. See the Digital Marketing track