Delivering well.
WHAT TO AGREE BEFORE STARTING
Scope, in writing Deliverables Timeline Rate and payment schedule What is excluded
WHY EXCLUSIONS MATTER
They prevent scope expansion by assumption.
WHAT TO REQUEST
A deposit, before starting.
WHY
It establishes commitment, and it funds your work.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT SCOPE CHANGES
Price them, in writing, before proceeding.
WHY BEFORE
Retrospective charges are disputed.
WHAT TO COMMUNICATE
Progress, regularly, whether or not asked.
WHY
Silence produces anxiety and micromanagement.
WHAT CADENCE WORKS
A short update at an agreed interval.
WHAT TO RAISE IMMEDIATELY
Anything that will delay delivery.
WHY IMMEDIATELY
Late notice of delay is the commonest complaint about freelancers.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT DIFFICULT CLIENTS
Address the behaviour early, politely.
WHAT TO DO IF PAYMENT IS LATE
Follow up in writing, referencing the terms.
WHAT TO DO IF IT CONTINUES
Stop work, having given notice.
WHY
Continuing unpaid rarely improves.
WHAT TO KEEP
Contracts, correspondence, and evidence of delivery.
WHAT TO DO AT THE END
Hand over properly, with documentation.
WHY
It is what produces referrals.
