006 : SCOPE, SOURCE, SAUCE

Instead of using your eyes and reading this newsletter, you can listen to it instead in audio form or as I like to call it: A Mini Podcast. Your choice!

1. SCOPE

Hey Freelance Friend,

There are a lot of creeps out there.

But in the Freelancing world, our biggest nemesis is Scope Creep!

(Unless you are female and post any image of yourself on LinkedIn, then you have other creeps to deal with…)

Oh that lovely client. You know the one:

Super nice, very friendly, even asks about your day. They paid the invoice on time too.

Now you are half way through the project and you get a message:

“Hey, sorry to bother you, and I really hope its not too much trouble, but could you just…”

Just, Just, Just…

You let it go the first time, its just a little thing, it will only take me an hour or so.

“Hey, I was wondering if you could just…”

Hmm, okay you think, I just want to get this project finished and I want that final invoice paid…I’ll just do it.

“Hey so I love the result, it’s really amazing! One final thing, I was thinking if you could just…”

Oh god, well I did the others, and I really just want to finish this thing…so I will do it…hopefully they give a really good review!!

Before you know it, you’ve been a victim of Scope Creep.

It’s an incredibly easy trap to fall into and you might not think much of it.

But if you were a subscriber for last weeks edition, you will understand the compounding effect that wasting your time can have on your income.

Along with the direct costs with lack of income for hours worked, there are also indirect costs:

• Opportunity Cost: the hours could have been spent marketing, working ON your business, networking or landing new clients

• Energy and Health: Extra effort or input for the same pre defined return has a negative impact on happiness and mental health.

SO, here at Freelancer (S)OS we are all about action.

So what can be done about this:

• Get Granular with your deliverables: Whether that is the deliverables included for the project fee, of your expected hourly output. Be as clear as possible. Especially with the variables which are often, well, varying.

• Implement a “Change Order Process”: A change order process is a pre-defined (and well communicated) process by which your client can request changes or additions to the deliverables. If they dont adhere to this process, refer back to it when they do ask for something with “yes certainly, I’ll just start off the change order process, what exactly is it that we are adding to the original deliverables?”

• Buffer Time: Absolutely cannot stand the tiniest bit of confrontation or awkwardness? Build a 10-20% project fee buffer into your proposal. Because, these things happen, always, so why not factor them in on your side.

• Communicate, Set Boundaries, Say No - thats it.

All of this should be set out in a contract 100% of the time. Even if it’s friends, family or your all time favourite client. If they respect you as a professional, they will sign it as they will look to you for your processes and expertise, and follow them diligently.

You are your own boss.

You deserve to be paid for ALL of your work.

Don’t forget that.

2. SOURCE / SAUCE

You’re sat there, laptop on, but nobodies home.

You may be a copywriter with a blank page.

A web designer with a wire frame and no wires.

A photographer in an empty studio.

You get the idea.

You need to get going, but the creative juices aren’t flowing.

You need a source of inspiration.

You need add some sauce to get the flavours going.

What is that for you?

You may not feel like it’s of that much importance alongside Marketing, Sales, Admin, Client Work etc.

Not worthy of its own tab on browser, its own section in your planner, or a page on your Notion dashboard.

But it really, really is.

This is the stuff which gets you going, which sparks your creativity, which gets you out of an inevitable slump.

It’s the fuel (or electricity) for your car which has ran low.

It’s the energy gel during your run.

Not sure what yours is?

Do this.

Think about why you started doing what you are doing. Did:

• Someone inspire you?

• A movie?

• A book?

• A podcast?

• Youtube video?

• Family member?

• Friend?

Whatever that was, make a note of it. Hold it dear. It’s the nucleus of your Freelancing journey.

It’s your why.

Know what it is, keep it on hand, and use it when you are in a bit of a creative rut.

Make a sauce bookmark tab on your browser and chuck it in there.

Promise it will make a huge difference, or your money back*

3. Freelancer Feature

Each week I will be featuring one of you lovely subscribers. This week it’s the one and only:

ALEXANDER NOLES

This bloke literally lives in a place called Sunshine Coast, spends every opportunity balancing his work with surfing and at the minute is over in Thailand living the digital nomad dream.

Now I know that is grounds to hate (be jealous of) the guy, but give him a chance.

He’s all digital consultant, and he is all about saving you time and money while optimising your efficiency with digital tools.

He kindly popped by to give us some of his tried and tested tips, here they are:

Want to connect with old mate Alex Noles?

Next Week

007: EXCHANGE, COMFORT, IKIGAI

You need to grow, you can’t do everything, you don’t have the money, I got you.

Tune in next week to level up your Freelance business, expand your comfort zone and find your calling in life. Not to be missed.

With you next Thursday at 11:00am (UK TIME)

*the newsletter is free, but good on your for coming down here looking for this.