Manage the first 30 days proactively

The contract is signed, access is granted and your quick onboarding win has calmed the buyer’s nerves—now the real work begins. The first month determines whether a client files your logo under “strategic partner” or “necessary vendor”. High-touch does not mean daily status calls; it means proactive guidance, fast issue-handling and visible progress against the promise you sold. Nail these 30 days and renewal becomes the default, not a negotiation.

Why this matters

Silence breeds doubt. A short, structured call keeps alignment tight, uncovers hidden blockers early and demonstrates that you manage outcomes, not hours.

How to do it

• Schedule a 20-minute video call every same weekday/time.
• Agenda template:
  1. Wins since last call (data screenshot or deliverable).
  2. In-flight items, owner, ETA.
  3. Risks or blockers—client and agency sides.
  4. Next-week goals; confirm calendar invites for any workshops.
• Circulate a two-paragraph recap within two hours. Log key decisions in the shared workspace so new stakeholders can self-serve history.

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Why this matters

Executives seldom read weekly notes. A single chart proving movement toward the KPI wins internal allies and sets the tone for renewal discussions months away.

How to do it

• Agree on one “North-star” metric in onboarding (e.g., qualified demo requests).
• Build a mini Looker Studio (or Data Studio) snapshot that updates daily.
• Highlight two quick wins: a 12 % form-conversion lift from copy change, or 18 new SQLs from the first paid campaign. Annotate the chart and share a screenshot in the week-3 check-in.

Why this matters

The memory of a problem fades quickly when it is resolved within hours; it lingers when tickets disappear into a queue. Speed signals competence and respect.

How to do it

• Publish a simple SLA:
• Critical issues (site down, data loss) – acknowledgement within 1 h, fix or workaround in 4 h.
• High (conversion drop, ad spend glitch) – plan in 8 h, resolution in 24 h.
• Normal – next sprint.
• Create a dedicated Slack or Teams channel with both teams. Pin the SLA and escalation contacts.
• Track every incident in a lightweight risk log: date, impact, root cause, fix, prevention step. Review at the 30-day meeting.

Why this matters

Milestone reviews convert early momentum into long-term vision and surface any smouldering concerns before they become churn triggers.

How to do it

• Invite decision makers—not just day-to-day contacts—to a 45-minute video review.
• Format:
  1. Recap goals and quick wins.
  2. Present KPI trends vs. baseline.
  3. Discuss lessons learned and process tweaks.
  4. Preview next-60-day roadmap; confirm any additional resources needed from the client side.
• Close with a documented action list and updated timeline in the workspace.

The first 30 days are your proof-of-value sprint. Weekly check-ins, rapid fire-fighting and visible KPI movement assure the buyer they chose the right partner. Finish with a confident roadmap preview and you transform initial relief into genuine excitement—setting the stage for value-stacking months and stress-free renewals.