The Client Who Wants Free Work | How to Set Boundaries and Get Paid

Описание: 📥 Download the New Post-Production Leader's Survival Guide:
👉 beacons.ai/jeffreyleadership

You finish a project. Client is happy. Pays the invoice.

Two months later, they call:

"Hey, can you just make one tiny change to that project we did? It'll take you five minutes."

You think: "It's a small favor. I want to keep them happy."

So you say: "Sure, no problem."

But it doesn't take five minutes. It takes two hours.

And now you've set a precedent: "This vendor does free work."

Next month: "Can you just tweak this other thing?"

You're now their free support department.

Here's what you should have said:

"Absolutely, I can make that change. Since the project is closed, this would be billed as a separate revision. I can send you a quote if you'd like to proceed."

Now they have to decide: Is this change worth paying for?

Most of the time? "Actually, it's fine as is."

The times they say yes? You're getting paid.

I've run a business for 30 years in broadcast and post-production.

The clients who respect your time pay for your time.

The clients who want free work will never be satisfied.

Here's why this matters:

SCENARIO 1: YOU DO FREE WORK
Client calls with "quick favor" every month
You spend 2-3 hours per month on unpaid work
Annual cost to you: 24-36 hours = $2,400-$7,200 in lost revenue
Client learns: "I can get free work from this person"
They tell other clients: "Oh, just ask nicely, they'll do it for free"

SCENARIO 2: YOU CHARGE FOR REVISIONS
Client thinks twice before requesting changes
80% say "actually, it's fine"
20% pay you for the work
You maintain healthy boundaries
You attract clients who value your time

The pattern I've seen over 30 years:

Clients who push for free work are often:
The most demanding
The hardest to please
The quickest to complain
The slowest to pay (even when they do)

Meanwhile, clients who gladly pay for revisions are often:
Respectful of your time
Easier to work with
More appreciative of good work
More likely to refer you to others

Here's the email template I use:

"Hi [Client],

Thanks for reaching out! I'd be happy to help with that change.

Since we closed this project on [date], any additional revisions would be a separate scope of work.

I can make that change for $[amount] and have it to you by [date].

Let me know if you'd like me to proceed!

Best,
Jeffrey"

Professional. Friendly. Clear boundary.

Most responses:
"Oh, you know what? It's not that important. The current version works fine."

You just saved yourself 2 hours of work.

The times they say yes:
"Sounds good! Please proceed."

You're getting paid for your expertise.

Remember: Your time is your inventory.

Would a car mechanic fix your car for free two months after you bought it?

Would a restaurant cook you a free meal because you ate there last month?

No.

Your creative services work the same way.

Charge for your time. No exceptions. No guilt.

📥 Download the New Post-Production Leader's Survival Guide:
👉 beacons.ai/jeffreyleadership

Inside you'll learn:
How to set boundaries with difficult clients
Email templates for charging for revisions
The scope creep conversation framework
How to fire clients who don't respect your time
Your complete client management toolkit

Free download: beacons.ai/jeffreyleadership

---

ABOUT ME:
Jeffrey Weiss | Leadership Coach for Post-Production Professionals
30+ Years Building Teams for Disney, NBC Universal, FOX
Certified John Maxwell Team Coach

I help creative professionals set boundaries and get paid what they're worth.

Connect with me:
LinkedIn: [Your LinkedIn URL]
More videos: @AVSBurbank

#clientmanagement #freelance #boundaries #businesstips #getpaid #clientboundaries #freelancetips #postproduction #creativebusiness #knowyourworth