Keep clients informed throughout the relationship.
Client Updates give businesses a clear way to share progress important changes completed work requests and next steps. Keep client communication consistent without relying on scattered conversations across different channels.
Keeping clients informed gets difficult when updates are scattered.
Client communication can span projects conversations files requests reviews and decisions. When updates are spread across email and messages it becomes harder for both the business and the client to understand what has changed and what needs to happen next.
Updates get scattered
Important information can end up across email threads messages files and other conversations.
Clients ask for status
Clients may need to ask where things stand when relevant information is difficult to find.
Important changes get missed
Changes to work requirements timing or decisions can be harder to notice when communication lacks context.
Next steps are unclear
An update may explain what happened without making the next action clear.
Communication becomes inconsistent
Different team members may communicate with clients in different ways and with different levels of context.
Updates lose their context
Information becomes less useful when it is disconnected from the client work files or tasks it relates to.
Client Updates are more than project status reports.
Client Updates are communications that keep clients informed about relevant work changes decisions requests and next steps throughout the client relationship.
They can happen before during or after a project. They can also be useful in ongoing client relationships where there is no single active project.
The purpose is simple. Give the client the information they need with enough context to understand what is happening and what comes next.
Client updates can communicate
- Progress
- Changes
- Completed work
- Current status
- Upcoming work
- Requests for information
- Client actions
- Important decisions
- Next steps
Send client updates when the information is meaningful.
There is no single update frequency that works for every business. Instead focus on moments when clients need useful information or when communication can help move the relationship forward.
After important work
Let the client know when meaningful work has been completed.
When status changes
Share relevant changes to the current state of the work.
When attention is needed
Tell the client when something requires their review response or action.
Before a milestone
Give clients useful context before an important stage of the work.
After a decision
Communicate the outcome of a relevant client decision and explain what happens next.
When information is needed
Make requests clear when the business needs information documents or another client action.
When something changes
Share meaningful changes that affect the client’s work or relationship with the business.
At agreed communication points
Use the communication points that make sense for the relationship and the type of work being delivered.
Keep updates connected to the client workspace.
Client updates are more useful when they sit alongside the work they describe. Riverton brings client work into a shared workspace so communication can remain connected to the wider relationship.
Projects
Keep relevant updates connected to project work when the communication relates to an active project.
Messaging
Use client communication alongside updates when a client needs context or a response.
Tasks
Connect communication with client actions when an update requires the client to do something.
Files
Keep relevant documents and information close to the client work they support.
Approvals
Share relevant information when a client decision or approval forms part of the workflow.
Client workspace
Give clients a shared place to access relevant information and continue the surrounding workflow.
Riverton’s client workflow includes capabilities such as client messaging client tasks file sharing client onboarding and client approvals. Use each capability according to the work the client needs to see or complete.
A simple workflow for keeping clients informed.
Identify what the client needs to know
Start with the information that is meaningful to the client. This could be progress a change completed work a request or a next step.
Share the relevant information
Add or share the information in the appropriate client workspace and communication context.
Connect it to the relevant work
Where supported keep the update connected to the project task file approval or other client work it relates to.
Client accesses the information
The client can access the relevant information within the shared client workspace.
Client responds when needed
If the update requires a response task review decision or other action the client can continue with the relevant workflow.
Continue the client workflow
The team continues the relevant work based on the information response decision or action.
Different updates serve different client needs.
Progress updates
Explain what has been completed what is currently happening and what is expected next.
- Completed work
- Current status
- Upcoming work
- Next steps
Important changes
Communicate meaningful changes that affect the client or the work.
- Scope changes
- Timing changes
- Requirement changes
- Relevant decisions
Requests
Tell clients when the business needs something from them before work can continue.
- Information
- Documents
- Decisions
- Client actions
Deliverable updates
Let clients know when new or revised work is available for review.
- New deliverables
- Revised work
- Review requests
- Feedback requests
Ongoing relationship updates
Keep clients informed about relevant information even when there is no specific active project.
- Relationship information
- Important announcements
- Relevant next steps
- Ongoing client work
Choose the right context
Not every update belongs in a project. The right place depends on what the information relates to and what the client needs to do next.
Client Updates vs Client Project Updates
Client Updates is the broader topic. It covers how businesses keep clients informed throughout the relationship. Client Project Updates is narrower and focuses specifically on project progress and status.
| Client Updates | Client Project Updates |
|---|---|
| Broader client relationship | Specific project |
| Can cover many types of client information | Focuses on project progress |
| May occur before during or after projects | Primarily used during active projects |
| Includes requests changes information and next steps | Includes project status and progress |
Client Updates explains how businesses keep clients informed across the relationship. Client Project Updates explains how businesses communicate project progress.
Client Updates are not the same as Client Messaging.
Client Updates
Updates communicate useful information to keep the client informed. They can explain progress changes completed work requests or next steps.
Client Messaging
Messaging supports direct communication and conversations with clients. An update may lead to a conversation when the client needs clarification or wants to respond.
Think of updates as part of the wider client communication workflow. The right combination of updates messages tasks files and other client work depends on what the client needs to know or do.
Make important client information easy to find and understand.
A useful client update should not leave the client searching for context. The information should make it clear what is happening what it relates to and whether anything needs to happen next.
- Information is easy to find
- Context is clear
- Relevant work is accessible
- Required actions are obvious
- Communication stays connected to the relationship
Client updates can support many types of client relationships.
Agency client communication
Keep clients informed about work completed current activity and upcoming actions.
Consulting engagements
Share relevant findings decisions requests and next steps throughout the engagement.
Professional services
Give clients useful information about ongoing work requests and decisions.
Ongoing retainers
Keep communication useful even when client work continues without a single defined project.
Client onboarding
Keep new clients informed about what is happening and what they need to complete.
Active projects
Share relevant project information while keeping broader client communication in view.
Deliverable reviews
Tell clients when work is ready for review and make the next action clear.
Document requests
Explain what information or documents are needed and connect the request to the relevant work.
Clearer updates create a more consistent client experience.
Clearer communication
Give clients relevant information in a more structured context.
Fewer repetitive status questions
Make useful status information easier for clients to find when it has already been communicated.
Better client visibility
Help clients understand what is happening with their work and relationship.
More consistent client experience
Give teams a clearer framework for deciding what information clients need and when.
Clearer next steps
Make it easier to distinguish information from actions that require a client response.
Less scattered information
Keep client communication closer to the work files tasks and other context it relates to.
Client updates work best as part of the wider client workspace.
A client update can be connected to many different types of work. The client may need to read a message review a file complete a task or make a decision.
Riverton provides a broader client workspace through its Client Portal and Client Portal Software.
Related capabilities include Client Messaging Client Tasks File Sharing Client Onboarding and Client Approvals.
Keep the relationship connected
- Client information
- Relevant work
- Communication
- Files
- Client actions
- Next steps
Client Updates questions
What are client updates?
Client Updates are communications that keep clients informed about relevant work changes completed work requests decisions current status and next steps throughout the client relationship.
What should you include in a client update?
Include the information that is meaningful to the client. Depending on the situation this can include progress completed work important changes current status upcoming work requests decisions or next steps.
How often should you update clients?
There is no single frequency that works for every business. Updates should be shared at meaningful communication points and when clients need important information or need to take action.
What is the best way to keep clients informed?
The best approach depends on the relationship and the type of information being shared. A structured client workspace can help keep relevant communication information files tasks and other client work connected.
What is the difference between client updates and project updates?
Client Updates are broader and can cover the entire client relationship. Client Project Updates are narrower and focus specifically on project progress and status.
How can businesses organize client updates?
Businesses can organize updates around the client workspace and connect information to the relevant work where appropriate. Updates can sit alongside communication files tasks projects and other client activities.
Can a client portal help businesses keep clients updated?
A client portal can provide a shared place where clients access relevant information and client work. This can make communication easier to find and keep it connected to the wider relationship.
What types of information should businesses share with clients?
Useful information can include progress completed work current status upcoming work important changes requests decisions and next steps. The right information depends on the client and the relationship.
How does Riverton help businesses communicate updates to clients?
Riverton provides a client workspace where client communication can sit alongside related work. Its documented capabilities include Client Messaging Client Tasks File Sharing and Client Approvals. The specific workflow should follow the verified Riverton product experience.
Give clients a clearer view of what is happening and what comes next.
Explore how Riverton brings client communication and related work together in a shared client workspace.