How to Run a Great Call for Your Marketing Clients

Running client calls goes far beyond showing up with data and walking through a deck. Great calls serve to deepen the partnership, align both parties on strategy, and set a tone that builds trust over time. 

At Jordan Digital Marketing, we’ve developed a simple yet powerful framework to make every client interaction more effective and human.

The 3-Part Framework for Better Client Calls

1. Align
   Start by getting clear on what matters most right now. This might sound obvious, but too many calls begin without a shared understanding of priorities. Are we in scaling mode? Are we troubleshooting performance drops? Is the client under pressure from leadership to show ROI? Ask directly,  and listen carefully.
2. Guide
   Once you’re aligned, it’s time to lead. That doesn’t mean talking over your client; it means bringing strategic clarity and confidence to the conversation. Walk them through key insights, offer a POV, and highlight what’s working. Avoid the trap of simply reporting data. Interpret it, and tie every insight to business goals and next steps.
3. Decide
   Every call should end with action. What are we doing next? What’s on hold? Who’s accountable? When clients leave a call knowing what’s happening, why it’s happening, and what the expected outcome will be, it strengthens the relationship and accelerates progress.

Before the Call: Pre-Work Is Everything

Great calls start before the meeting. Prep a clear agenda. Flag discussion topics in advance. And if there’s bad news, mention it before the call and come with recommendations for mitigation. Setting the stage beforehand reduces defensiveness and leads to more constructive conversations.

During the Call: Be Human, Be Clear

Yes, you’re the expert. But clients want to feel heard, not managed. Speak in plain language. Check for understanding. Let them share context and reactions before moving on to the next topic. And when delivering data, zoom out: What does this mean for them? Why does it matter now?

After the Call: Follow Through Like a Pro

Send recap notes, ideally the same day. Reiterate the decisions made, action items, and timelines. This shows the client you're driving things forward, not waiting on them to ask. Consistent follow-through builds credibility fast.

Don’t treat client calls as a formality. They are a valuable chance to advance the relationship. They’re where confidence is built (or lost), where strategy gets refined, and where you show up as a true partner,  not just a vendor. Use the Align, Guide, Decide framework as your anchor, and every call will start to feel more focused, more energizing, and more impactful.