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 Clinic, an 8-week LIVE crash course designed to help creatives like you craft effective contracts. Tune in to discover how to set clear boundaries, attract dream clients, and protect your passion and paycheck. Start transforming the way you manage your creative business!

• 00:44 Client Stories and Patterns
• 02:53 The Importance of Custom Contracts
• 04:05 Common Mistakes with Contracts
• 08:00 Setting Boundaries and Expectations
• 09:05 Understanding Principles of Contracts
• 16:00 Conclusion

Resources

• Get on the Waitlist for the next LIVE Client Contracts Crash Course!
• Which client-pleasing pattern is holding you back? Take the Quiz!

>>>

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!

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 / business with effective contract management.

Tune in and empower yourself to stop work when you’re not being paid!

• 00:53 Understanding Non-Payment Issues
• 03:12 Importance of Clear Contracts
• 04:24 Setting Boundaries and Consequences
• 09:00 Practical Advice and Personal Experiences
• 12:30 Clarifying Non-Payment Consequences
  

Resources

• Get on the Waitlist for the next Client Contracts Crash Course!
• Take the Quiz: Identify and start fixing your client-pleasing patterns today!
• Spotify Playlist: Episodes 32 - 36 (Contracts Basics: What You Need to Know Before You Sign)
• 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!

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 Consequences
• 04:56 Scripts for Handling Disrespect
• 08:56 Personal Experiences and Lessons Learned
• 10:35 Changing the Industry Norms

Resources

• Get on the Waitlist for the next Client Contracts Crash Course!
• Take the Quiz: Identify and start fixing your people-pleasing patterns today!
• Free Interactive Guide: “12 Simple Tweaks to a Clearer Client Contract”
• Schedule a Strategy Call with Sheila
• Episode 82 - Hidden Freelance Contract Gaps That Could Cost You Big (And How to Fix Them)
• Episode 83 - Afraid To Lose Clients? Why Defining Your Ideal Client Is Key To A Joyful Business

>>>

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!

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 professional settings.

Join me as I delve into strategies for blending friendliness with clear boundaries.

• 00:55 The Turning Point: A Client's Disruptive Call
• 02:33 Setting Boundaries: Lessons Learned
• 05:33 The Importance of Respect and Clarity
• 06:47 Personal and Professional Boundaries
• 07:39 Practical Tips for Enforcing Boundaries
• 09:08 Communicating Boundaries Effectively

Resources

• Take the Quiz: Identify and start fixing your people-pleasing patterns today!
• Free Interactive Guide: “12 Simple Tweaks to a Clearer Client Contract”
• Get on the Waitlist for the next Client Contracts Crash Course!
• Schedule a Strategy Call with Sheila
• Episode 85 - Managing Unlimited Revision Requests from Clients

>>>

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!

>>>

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
• 05:51 Setting Client Expectations
• 07:54 The Importance of Clear Boundaries
• 09:47 Practical Steps to Implement Limits
• 11:48 Real-Life Example: Agency Experience

Resources

• Take the Quiz! Identify and start fixing your people-pleasing patterns today!
• Schedule a Strategy Call
• Free Interactive Guide: “12 Simple Tweaks to a Clearer Client Contract”
• Get on the Waitlist for the next Client Contracts Crash Course!

>>>

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!

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, and the right pay by being your true self and committing to a proactive, customized approach. Let’s focus on protecting your peace, heart, and reputation, whether you're a freelancer, business owner, or employee. Tune in for actionable notes and tips including more on my free interactive guide on how to tweak your client contracts to make them more 'you'.

• 00:29 The Problem with Guru Frameworks
• 03:28 Embracing Failure as an Experiment
• 05:06 Creating Your Own Framework
• 08:08 Setting Boundaries and Expectations
• 12:53 The Importance of Contracts
• 15:24 Taking Control of Your Client Relationships

Resources

• Creatives - Take the Quiz! Identify and start fixing your people-pleasing patterns today!
• Free Interactive Guide: “12 Simple Tweaks to a Clearer Client Contract”
• Get on the Waitlist for the next Client Contracts Crash Course!

>>>

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!

In this episode, I delve into the emotional aspects of the fear of losing clients. We’ll discuss recognizing red flags, prioritizing yourself and your needs, and clearly defining the type of clients you want to work with. I’m also sharing personal experiences and at the end, I'll provide you with a handful of actionable steps to help you identify your ideal clients. By doing so, you can be sure your work aligns with your values, ultimately leading to more satisfaction and success in your professional life.

• 00:32 The Emotional Side of Losing Clients

• 01:46 Personal Experiences and Lessons Learned

• 03:28 Finding Clarity and Defining Your Ideal Client

• 05:10 The Importance of Values in Client Selection

• 12:23 Practical Steps to Attract the Right Clients

Resources

• Schedule a Strategy Call today

• Free Interactive Guide: “12 Simple Tweaks to a Clearer Client Contract”

• Get on the Waitlist for the 8-Week Contracts Course

>>>

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!

If you’re afraid that your client contract has some hidden pitfalls and maybe one day, it’s all going to blow up in your face, then today’s episode is for YOU!

Today, we’re talking about when you don't know, what you don't know. It’s not about the right legal wording. And it's even less about what you actually SAY in your contract. What matters more is what’s MISSING from your contract.

Today, I dive deep into how to spot what's missing and provide you with a free tool to help plug those holes and fill those gaps. Hear my story of a client who led me on a literal courtroom chase and what I learned from it about making client expectations crystal clear. Listen to find out why most problems arise from what isn't in your contracts, and how you can avoid common pitfalls by being prepared, setting clear expectations, and always staying ahead of potential problems.

• 00:05 The Importance of Missing Contract Clauses
• 01:46 A Personal Story: The Courtroom Chase
• 05:52 Lessons Learned and Contract Essentials
• 09:31 Common Client Issues and Contract Solutions
• 19:55 Real-Life Example: Bob's Contract Nightmare
• 28:58 Final Thoughts and Action Steps

Resources

• Free Interactive Guide: “12 Simple Tweaks to a Clearer Client Contract”
• Get on the Waitlist for the 8-Week Contracts Course
• Episode 32 - What You Need to Know Before You Sign: Contracts Basics - Including Podcast Contracts, too! (Part 1)
• Episode 33 - When to Enforce Your Agreements: Contracts Basics (Part 2)
• Episode 34 - Resolving Contract Disputes: Contracts Basics (Part 3)
• Episode 35 - Drafting Your First Contract: Contracts Basics (Part 4)
• Episode 36 - My Top 5 Tips for International Work: Contracts Basics (Part 5)

>>>

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 on Apple Podcasts, or leave feedback here, and be sure to leave me a voice note with a question for a future episode!