Top email templates #4:
the weekly update.
Send a quick roundup of what you’ve done and what’s up next.

We’ve been talking a lot lately about templating emails and today we’re looking at one last, game-changing example: the weekly update. Quick, simple and great for long-running jobs, it’ll make you look like a total pro.

Turning everyday emails into ready-to-roll templates is a massive time-saver. But it’s also much more than that. It’s a chance to show how professional you are, by getting back to people faster with well-written, thought-out messages that really move their project on.

Today we’re looking at one quick, easy way you can do that – the weekly update email. Handy when you’re on a long job, it’s a one-stop roundup of what you’ve been doing, what’s happening next and any actions that need to be taken so you can keep cracking on.

Maybe you already send update emails. If you do, amazing. But you’re probably in the minority. In the rush to get a job done and move on, most of us probably feel like there’s never the time. But that’s the good thing about email templates. Get one set up and it’s really quick to drop in a few details and send it off. Set yourself a reminder each week, grab five minutes and you’re golden.

But why do it in the first place? Well, for a start, sending a written update every week on your longer projects is going to really impress your customers. You’ll look super organised and professional, plus you’ll be able to point out all the things you’ve been working hard on – making sure they’re seeing progress and appreciating all that graft.

Second, you’ll be letting customers know what you need from them, which keeps them accountable and – hopefully – means you’ll have the decisions, supplies and access you need to get on with the job. Need them to pick those taps / be in for that delivery / buy those fence panels? Get it down in the email and everyone’s kept in the picture.

The weekly update’s a huge help if your customer isn’t often on site and you don’t get many chances to catch up in person. But it’s a great tool even if you do. When you’re just mentioning things in passing, they’re easily forgotten. Update emails are your chance to get things down in writing, manage expectations and document what you need from your customer. 

Did we mention they’ll make you look like a pro too? Spoiler alert: they totally will.

So how might an update email look?

Template name: Updating your customer on what’s happening week by week

Hi [name]

I just wanted to give you a quick update on your [job name].
This week we’ve [list what’s been done].
Next week we’ll be moving on to [list next week’s tasks].
It would be great if you could [list anything needed from the customer].
We’re on track to be finished by [date] / It looks like we’ll now be finished by [date].
I hope that all sounds ok, but if you’ve got any questions at all, please just get in touch.

Thanks, talk to you soon.
[Adam]

What next?

Want to copy our example email? Go right ahead. That’s what it’s there for. Just add your job name, what you’ve been up to, what’s next and what you need – then you’re all set.

You can save it as a simple Word file to copy and paste into your emails, but to make things even easier we’ve also saved it in Settings > Email templates within YourTradebase, along with loads of other handy email templates and all the tools you need to write your own. 

Give it a go – your customers will love you for it.