This transcript was generated from the episode audio and may contain minor errors.
But we had an episode recently about clients who keep changing their minds, and how do you handle that as a freelancer. Today's question is a little bit related, but also different. How do I manage last minute requests without burning out? Let's consider how a service-based freelancer can manage these client requests that are coming in kind of after the work has already started or sometimes after the work has already been done. How can they manage that process without sacrificing quality or burning out?
Learn how to build buffer time in your schedule and set clear project boundaries. Those are two of the strategies we're going to talk about. How can you do it? This is, in fact, a common issue in many industries, from design and consulting to coaching and beyond. Let's talk about those strategies.
How can you avoid the dreaded crunch mode? Crunch mode is when you've kind of saved some things for the end, or you haven't proactively worked on things. In this case, it's not your fault. Somebody else is coming to you with a request, and sometimes that may be okay, but you don't want it to become a pattern. Let's talk about it.
Questions coming to us today from Katie. I'll bring you her question and my answer after this quick shout-out to our sponsor. Hey, hey, Chris. Nice to meet you. My name is Katie, and I am a freelance copywriter in Chicago, Illinois.
I often juggle multiple projects at once, and occasionally, deadlines overlap unexpectedly when clients request revisions at the last minute. This makes it hard to manage my time and deliver quality work consistently. For example, last week, I had two clients simultaneously requesting same-day edits on projects I thought were finished. I'm unsure how to build more buffer time into my schedule or set better expectations with clients to avoid these crunch periods. What strategies can I use to prevent this from happening in the future?
Hey, Katie, this is a common problem in lots of industries, lots of service industries, as I mentioned. Fortunately, there's a couple of things you can do. You can regain control with the right systems in place. First thing is to build some revision windows into your contracts. Set some terms around revisions before the work begins.
Just note how many rounds of revisions are included, expected response times, deadlines for revision requests, and so on. Some common language would be two rounds of revisions are included if requested within five business days of delivery. Additional revisions or requests made after this period will be billed at X dollars an hour or whatever the case may be. Now, you can always have some flexibility. I think a lot of freelancers are pretty good about maybe just kind of planning on their own that they're going to give a little bit more or be a little bit flexible, but at least if it is defined in the beginning, then you can always point to that.
If you start to get overwhelmed or if you are getting some requests that kind of go beyond what you are expecting, then you've got that kind of built in. Another thing you can do for yourself, because it's not always the client request. Sometimes you get behind too, or sometimes there's a perfect storm of both things happening. Use scheduled catch-up blocks. Laura VanderKam, a friend of mine, she's really good at this.
She has what she calls a Friday list. Maybe she calls it something else, but it's basically a list of tasks that she kind of saves for this block of time on Friday to kind of get things done and feel better for the weekend. You could add a recurring buffer block on your calendar, ideally at the end of the week, to handle unexpected revisions or delayed feedback. If you don't need that time when it comes, well, great. Now you've got some extra hours, but at least this way it's kind of built in.
Getting early and often goes a long way, just proactively checking in with clients before project milestones. Sometimes the client is behind, or the client is just doing other stuff, and so a reminder can be really helpful. I say that myself as someone who is a client, often in these situations, I actually really appreciate when the freelancer is kind of managing the project and managing the milestones and such. It really helps me, and then I can often get them the feedback in time, and we just kind of avoid a whole problem if the freelancer is communicating proactively. So in short, managing last minute requests comes down to setting those clear project terms, building some flexible time blocks for yourself, and sometimes charging rush fees when necessary, so that at least you can get paid if you're getting stressed out.
If you're going to get stressed, you might as well get paid for it, right? Proactive communication, though, goes a long way. Katie, best of luck to you listeners, best of luck to you as well. Thank you for being out there. Visit hustleschool.com if you want some resources, a notes page for every episode, an email list you can join.
I send out a weekly recap every Sunday, and of course, much more is to come. This is episode 3,020, but a new one's coming out tomorrow. My name is Chris Guillebeau. This is Side Hustle School. From the Onward Project.
