The Client Onboarding Playbook: A Step-by-Step Guide for Agency Owners & Social Media Managers
You landed the client. Now what?
No one hands you a manual for what happens after the “yes.” Courses teach you how to land clients. Templates give you a contract. But the space between the signature and the first post is where most social media managers are left guessing. It’s also where most client relationships quietly start to crack.
The Client Onboarding Playbook is based on the onboarding system we use at Elliot & Co Marketing Haus. It walks you through every step of a client’s first 30 days, in order, so you always know what to do next and your client feels taken care of from day one.
What’s inside
The 7-phase onboarding framework. Every step from the client’s “yes” to their 30-day check-in: contract and payment, the welcome, gathering assets and access, building the strategy, the kickoff call, setting up their home base, and first delivery.
A 30-day onboarding timeline. Exactly what happens when, so nothing slips.
Contract and payment guidance. What your agreement should cover, how to send the contract and invoice together, and how to handle one-time projects and retainers.
A kickoff call agenda. A 60-minute agenda that walks your client through their strategy page by page.
Ready-to-send email scripts. The “yes” email, the welcome email, the missing-assets reminder, the scope-creep email, and the kickoff recap.
The answers no one tells you. Honest answers to the questions most guides skip, like what to do when a client goes quiet, asks for extra work, or pays late.
A printable onboarding checklist. Every step on two pages, ready to use with each new client.
Who it’s for
Social media managers signing their first clients
Agency owners who want every client onboarded the same way, every time
Anyone who’s ever thought, “They signed… now what do I do?”
Frequently asked questions
What format is it in?
It’s a digital PDF guide that you can read on any device or print.
Does it include templates?
The playbook teaches the full system and includes the email scripts and checklist. If you want the done-for-you templates that go with it, get The Client Onboarding Kit. It includes this playbook plus the Client Services Agreement, Strategy Deck, Brand Intake Questionnaire, Client Welcome Guide, and full Onboarding Checklist templates. SHOP NOW
I’m brand new. Is this for me?
Yes. It’s written so you can follow it with your very first client, and it grows with you as you add more.
Is this legal advice?
No. The playbook explains what a strong client agreement covers, but it isn’t legal advice. Have your contract reviewed by a qualified attorney licensed in your state.
Want the templates too? Get The Client Onboarding Kit: the playbook plus every template you need to put it into action.
Client Services Agreement Contract Template
Disclaimer
This playbook is for educational and informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Haus X Creative is not a law firm, and using these materials does not create an attorney-client relationship. Results vary based on your business, clients, and how you use the materials.
Terms of use
Licensed for use by the original purchaser in their own business only. You may not resell, share, distribute, or republish this playbook or any part of it. Unauthorized sharing or resale violates our terms of use and intellectual property rights and may result in legal action. All sales of digital products are final.
You landed the client. Now what?
No one hands you a manual for what happens after the “yes.” Courses teach you how to land clients. Templates give you a contract. But the space between the signature and the first post is where most social media managers are left guessing. It’s also where most client relationships quietly start to crack.
The Client Onboarding Playbook is based on the onboarding system we use at Elliot & Co Marketing Haus. It walks you through every step of a client’s first 30 days, in order, so you always know what to do next and your client feels taken care of from day one.
What’s inside
The 7-phase onboarding framework. Every step from the client’s “yes” to their 30-day check-in: contract and payment, the welcome, gathering assets and access, building the strategy, the kickoff call, setting up their home base, and first delivery.
A 30-day onboarding timeline. Exactly what happens when, so nothing slips.
Contract and payment guidance. What your agreement should cover, how to send the contract and invoice together, and how to handle one-time projects and retainers.
A kickoff call agenda. A 60-minute agenda that walks your client through their strategy page by page.
Ready-to-send email scripts. The “yes” email, the welcome email, the missing-assets reminder, the scope-creep email, and the kickoff recap.
The answers no one tells you. Honest answers to the questions most guides skip, like what to do when a client goes quiet, asks for extra work, or pays late.
A printable onboarding checklist. Every step on two pages, ready to use with each new client.
Who it’s for
Social media managers signing their first clients
Agency owners who want every client onboarded the same way, every time
Anyone who’s ever thought, “They signed… now what do I do?”
Frequently asked questions
What format is it in?
It’s a digital PDF guide that you can read on any device or print.
Does it include templates?
The playbook teaches the full system and includes the email scripts and checklist. If you want the done-for-you templates that go with it, get The Client Onboarding Kit. It includes this playbook plus the Client Services Agreement, Strategy Deck, Brand Intake Questionnaire, Client Welcome Guide, and full Onboarding Checklist templates. SHOP NOW
I’m brand new. Is this for me?
Yes. It’s written so you can follow it with your very first client, and it grows with you as you add more.
Is this legal advice?
No. The playbook explains what a strong client agreement covers, but it isn’t legal advice. Have your contract reviewed by a qualified attorney licensed in your state.
Want the templates too? Get The Client Onboarding Kit: the playbook plus every template you need to put it into action.
Client Services Agreement Contract Template
Disclaimer
This playbook is for educational and informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Haus X Creative is not a law firm, and using these materials does not create an attorney-client relationship. Results vary based on your business, clients, and how you use the materials.
Terms of use
Licensed for use by the original purchaser in their own business only. You may not resell, share, distribute, or republish this playbook or any part of it. Unauthorized sharing or resale violates our terms of use and intellectual property rights and may result in legal action. All sales of digital products are final.