The ONE Contract Clause that lets you Stop Work when Clients Don’t Pay {Ep. 88}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
Release Date: 08/10/2025
The Real Reason Clients Hire or Fire You: Your Contract Matters {Ep. 89}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
Are you tired of chasing invoices, dealing with scope creep, and working for clients who don’t respect your boundaries? In this episode, I uncover the real reason clients hire or fire you: you’ll find it in your contract. From my experiences with countless clients and students across various industries, I’ve found common patterns that can prevent you from thriving. Listen and learn why using internet templates or borrowed contracts isn't enough and how creating a custom contract can lead to respect, timely payments, and enjoyable work. ⚡ I also introduce my Contracts...
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The ONE Contract Clause that lets you Stop Work when Clients Don’t Pay {Ep. 88}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
Are you struggling with clients who don't pay on time? In this episode, I’m debunking the myth that you have to continue working even if you're not paid - and I am sharing vital strategies on handling non-paying clients. From the importance of a solid contract to proactively setting consequences for non-payment, I’ll guide you step-by-step on protecting your time, energy, and reputation. Key topics include avoiding the sunk cost fallacy, using plain language in contracts and negotiations, and setting monetary and non-monetary consequences. Learn how to safeguard your freelance...
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Freelance Contracts: How to Fire a Client when they Cross the Line {Ep. 87}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
Are you struggling with a client who crosses the line? Today, I discuss how to address disrespectful clients, set boundaries, and communicate expectations clearly with freelance clients. I’ll share my own experiences and provide practical advice on how to handle clients who are disrespectful of your time and energy. Key points include the right time to address disrespect, differentiating between client needs and disrespect, and leveraging contracts to set boundaries. 00:59 The Right Time to Address Disrespect 02:32 Humanizing Client Relationships 04:21 Communicating Expectations and...
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Setting Boundaries with Clients as a Creative Freelancer: How to Be Friendly and Firm {Ep. 86}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
Are you struggling to maintain boundaries while being friendly with clients? In this episode, I share a personal story about the turning point that made me realize the importance of setting boundaries - and how I learned to strike that balance. From being available 24/7 to implementing strict communication rules, learn how to protect your time and energy while still maintaining a good relationship with your clients. Key points discussed include: understanding the difference between being liked and respected, defining your deal breakers, and how personal habits spill over into...
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Your Client Wants Unlimited Revisions. Here’s How to Set Boundaries That Protect Your Time {Ep. 85}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
Tired of endless revisions and unclear expectations with your clients? If so, then today’s episode is for you! In this episode, I dive into how you can limit the number of revisions and feedback opportunities for clients by including three key sentences in your contract. Learn why it’s wrong to believe 'the client is always right' and get actionable steps to ensure both you and your clients have aligned expectations, ultimately fostering more respectful and productive professional relationships. 02:24 The Myth of 'The Client is Always Right' 03:56 Key Contract Clauses to Limit Revisions...
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Why Cookie-Cutter Frameworks Don't Work For Creative Freelancers {Ep. 84}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
Do you have a framework for your client work? One that works time and time again? If not, then today’s episode is for you! Today, we tackle an issue that's more prevalent than ever – the misguided belief in cookie-cutter solutions offered by so-called 'gurus'. Their frameworks may have worked for them, but that doesn't mean they'll work for you. This episode delves deep into rejecting societal pressures of perfectionism, the importance of viewing life and work as experiments, and setting clear boundaries with clients. Learn how to attract the right clients, the right projects,...
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Afraid To Lose Clients? Why Defining Your Ideal Client Is Key To A Joyful Business {Ep. 83}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
In this episode, I delve into the emotional aspects of the fear of losing clients. We’ll discuss recognizing red flags, prioritizing yourself and your needs, and clearly defining the type of clients you want to work with. I’m also sharing personal experiences and at the end, I'll provide you with a handful of actionable steps to help you identify your ideal clients. By doing so, you can be sure your work aligns with your values, ultimately leading to more satisfaction and success in your professional life. 00:32 The Emotional Side of Losing Clients 01:46 Personal Experiences and...
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Hidden Freelance Contract Gaps That Could Cost You Big (And How to Fix Them) {Ep. 82}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
If you’re afraid that your client contract has some hidden pitfalls and maybe one day, it’s all going to blow up in your face, then today’s episode is for YOU! Today, we’re talking about when you don't know, what you don't know. It’s not about the right legal wording. And it's even less about what you actually SAY in your contract. What matters more is what’s MISSING from your contract. Today, I dive deep into how to spot what's missing and provide you with a free tool to help plug those holes and fill those gaps. Hear my story of a client who led me on a literal...
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How to Stop People-Pleasing and Embrace Your True Self as a Creative Freelancer {Ep. 81}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
If you’re a self-defined people-pleaser, struggling with your identity as a Creative, then this episode is for you. I’m diving deep into what it means to be YOU. We'll explore how creatives like you are often taught to think and feel a certain way, which leads to a disconnect between their intellectual and emotional selves. I'll share three startling statistics about the struggles many face with identity, self-worth, and confrontation, and how these affect creatives specifically. Through a bit about my own personal journey and incorporating professional insights, we'll uncover...
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How To Say No And Set Boundaries With Clients (Without Feeling Guilty) {Ep. 80}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
If you’re a self-proclaimed people-pleaser and having a hard time sticking to boundaries with your clients, then this episode is for you! In this episode, I’m diving deep into the crucial topic of boundaries and am sharing a very personal, life-changing experience that very few people in the world know - it became the impetus for starting my own personal journey of overcoming trauma and learning to set boundaries. I’ll also discuss the importance of respecting and enforcing boundaries, providing practical advice on how to set and maintain them, particularly through contracts and daily...
info_outlineAre you struggling with clients who don't pay on time? In this episode, I’m debunking the myth that you have to continue working even if you're not paid - and I am sharing vital strategies on handling non-paying clients.
From the importance of a solid contract to proactively setting consequences for non-payment, I’ll guide you step-by-step on protecting your time, energy, and reputation.
Key topics include avoiding the sunk cost fallacy, using plain language in contracts and negotiations, and setting monetary and non-monetary consequences. Learn how to safeguard your freelance / business with effective contract management.
Tune in and empower yourself to stop work when you’re not being paid!
- 00:53 Understanding Non-Payment Issues
- 03:12 Importance of Clear Contracts
- 04:24 Setting Boundaries and Consequences
- 09:00 Practical Advice and Personal Experiences
- 12:30 Clarifying Non-Payment Consequences
Resources
- Get on the Waitlist for the next Client Contracts Crash Course!
- Take the Quiz: Identify and start fixing your client-pleasing patterns today!
- Spotify Playlist: Episodes 32 - 36 (Contracts Basics: What You Need to Know Before You Sign)
- Free Interactive Guide: “12 Simple Tweaks to a Clearer Client Contract”
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Hi! I’m Sheila, your guide to a Joyful and Thriving™ creative life! I have lots of titles: attorney, social worker, coach, consultant, keynote speaker, educator. And while I’m proud of those titles, I am a human first and a title second – just like you. I want to help you reset expectations, set boundaries, and make aligned decisions, so you can streamline and focus your energy on the people, projects, and pay that actually matter to you.
Instagram: @sheilamwilkinson | LinkedIn
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