Proof of work for agencies: what to capture and where to keep it

Proof of work is the evidence that an agency delivered what it promised.

For recurring services, proof should not live in a last-minute report assembled from screenshots, links, Slack messages, and memory. It should be captured as each deliverable is completed.

What counts as proof of work?

Proof depends on the service, but common examples include:

• published URLs
• screenshots
• final files
• uploaded assets
• report links
• delivery notes
• timestamps
• approval records
• before-and-after screenshots

For a social media agency, proof might be a post URL or screenshot. For an SEO agency, it might be a published page, technical fix summary, or report. For a video agency, it might be the final asset, upload link, or approval record.

Why proof gets messy

Proof gets messy when it is not part of the delivery workflow.

The team ships the work, then later someone asks:

• Where did this go live?
• Which version did the client approve?
• Was this included in the monthly package?
• Who delivered it?
• Did we ever send proof to the client?

If the answer requires searching four tools, the agency does not have a proof system.

Capture proof while the work is fresh

Add proof as the final step for each deliverable.

A useful proof record should include:

• final deliverable title
• client
• approval status
• approved version
• completion date
• proof attachment or URL
• note explaining what shipped

This turns proof into a normal delivery habit instead of a reporting chore.

Tie proof to approval

Proof is stronger when it is connected to the approved version.

If a client approved version three of a caption and version two accidentally shipped, proof alone will not solve the problem. You need the approval record, version history, and final delivery evidence in the same place.

That is why Blae connects client approvals with proof of work.

Example

A small video agency delivers four short videos per month for each client.

Their proof record for each video includes:

• final video file
• approval timestamp
• publishing link
• thumbnail screenshot
• delivery note

At the end of the month, the client does not need a vague "completed" status. They can see what was approved, what shipped, and where it lives.

FAQ

What is proof of work for agencies?

Proof of work is the evidence that a client deliverable was completed, approved, posted, sent, or otherwise delivered.

When should proof be captured?

Capture proof when the deliverable is completed, not at the end of the month.

Is proof of work the same as reporting?

No. Proof is the evidence attached to each delivered item. Reporting summarizes that evidence for the client.