Agency capacity
What is a client context file for an agency?
A client context file is 1 document per client with everything needed to do the work: goals, audience, voice, rules, approved proof, approvers and history. Every person and every AI tool reads it first. It replaces re-briefing and keeps client strategy out of 1 person's head.
What goes in it.
- Why they hired you and what a win looks like.
- Audience and offer.
- Voice, words to use and words to avoid.
- Claims you cannot make and proof you can use.
- Contacts and who approves what.
- What they tried before, and what failed.
How to use it. Load it into every AI tool for that client. Point every question to it first. Update it the same day anything changes.
Who owns it. The account lead. Every reviewer fix becomes a new line.
Get a template. The free AGL Agency Capacity connector returns a client context file template for 6 service lines: general, SEO, paid media, content, lifecycle and automation.
FAQ
- How long should it be?
- Long enough to brief a new hire. Most fit on 2 to 3 pages.
- Is it the same as a brand guide?
- No. A brand guide covers look and voice. A context file also covers goals, rules, approvals and history.
- Does it help with AI tools?
- Yes. It is what lets ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini start with the client instead of a blank page.