Is it Scope Creep? What to Do When Clients Keep Asking for Changes {Ep. 93}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
Release Date: 11/02/2025
Is it Scope Creep? What to Do When Clients Keep Asking for Changes {Ep. 93}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
Are you struggling with clients who ask for too much and want constant changes? In this episode, we’re diving into the challenges of handling clients' change requests and the importance of setting clear boundaries. I’ll share my experiences, explain why clients make such demands, and offer practical advice on how to guide clients effectively. Learn how to: - communicate expectations about changes, - establish guidelines in your contracts and interactions to maintain control over projects, and - ultimately, reduce everyone's stress! 00:27 The Challenge of Client Requests...
info_outline
The Creative Freelancer’s Guide to Handling Clients Who Don’t Pay Back Expenses {Ep. 92}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
What should you do when clients don’t reimburse you for out-of-pocket expenses? Today, we’re talking about the importance of managing out-of-pocket expenses for clients to protect your financial stability and business operations. I'll share my own personal experiences of being left unreimbursed, highlight the distinction between service fees and expenses, and I offer some legal insights on setting clear boundaries and payment terms in client contracts. Key issues include creating enforceable agreements, understanding opportunity costs, and avoiding financial risks by establishing...
info_outline
Feeling Undervalued by Clients? How to Set Boundaries and Reclaim Your Confidence {Ep. 91}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
Do you feel like your clients don't value you or your experience? In this episode, I discuss how to handle situations where you don't feel valued by your clients. We talk about the importance of over-communicating, and why it's often our responsibility to educate clients on how to value us. We’ll look at the significance of communicating boundaries and expectations, and I’ll give you some actionable steps to improve client relationships as I share a personal story to illustrate these points and offer strategies for having tough conversations with clients. Remember, it's about...
info_outline
Write Your Own Contract (with the Support of a Lawyer, Educator, and Business Consultant) {Ep. 90}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
Are you ready to start using your contract to attract the clients and the money you want? If so, then our upcoming contract course is for you. LEARN MORE AND ENROLL IN THE ! We start the week of September 29, 2025. This live, eight-week course helps you tackle common issues like scope creep, client ghosting, and unclear expectations. Effective contracts should reflect your values and positively influence client relationships, making them crucial for smooth projects and better opportunities. Enrollment is now open, and the course aims to equip you with the tools needed for enhanced...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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,...
info_outlineAre you struggling with clients who ask for too much and want constant changes?
In this episode, we’re diving into the challenges of handling clients' change requests and the importance of setting clear boundaries. I’ll share my experiences, explain why clients make such demands, and offer practical advice on how to guide clients effectively.
Learn how to:
- communicate expectations about changes,
- establish guidelines in your contracts and interactions to maintain control over projects, and
- ultimately, reduce everyone's stress!
- 00:27 The Challenge of Client Requests
- 01:00 Personal Experiences with Client Demands
- 02:32 Understanding Client Behavior
- 03:41 Setting Boundaries and Expectations
- 05:17 Importance of Clear Communication
- 06:50 Real-Life Client Stories
- 09:47 Mapping Out Processes
RESOURCES
- 🎧 Episode 1 - You’re in Control
- 🎧 Episode 5 - Managing Expectations Others Have Of You
- 🎧 Episode 85 - When Your Client Wants Unlimited Revisions
- 📲 Schedule a Roadmap to Freedom Strategy Session
- 🙋🏽♀️ Which client-pleasing pattern is holding you back? Take the Quiz!
- 📝 Free Interactive Guide: “12 Simple Tweaks to a Clearer Client Contract”
- >>>
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
Rate this podcast/episode on Apple Podcasts, or leave feedback here, and be sure to leave me a voice note with a question for me to answer in a future episode!