Adrian Gentilcore is a multi-passionate seniorpreneur. She runs Your Fairy Techmother for tech support services and Your Fairy Debtmother for financial coaching.
For freelancers, setting boundaries with clients is critical to maintaining professionalism, protecting your time, and ensuring long-term success.
This guide explains why boundaries are essential, the types of boundaries to consider, and actionable steps to implement them.
Why freelancers need to have boundaries
Freelancers often juggle diverse client expectations, which can lead to overwork, underpayment, or burnout if boundaries are unclear.
See my previous article on how freelancers get paid.
Having proper boundaries will:
Avoid disagreements with clients
Clarify roles and responsibilities
Prevent unrealistic demands or scope creep
Protect your work-life balance and your mental health
This will help foster a respectful, productive relationship with clients while keeping your business on track. Testimonials from satisfied clients are the most effective way to find new clients.
Key boundaries to establish with clients
1. Communication preferences
Outline your preferred communication methods, whether email, phone, or project management tools. Indicate acceptable response times, such as replying to emails within 24 hours.
2. Define your working schedule
Define when you are available for communication. Specify your working hours in contracts and onboarding documents, ensuring clients know when to expect responses.
3. Feedback guidelines
Avoid confusion by designating one client representative for feedback and specifying how feedback should be delivered. Encourage detailed, actionable feedback to minimize revisions.
4. Scope of work
Define the project’s scope in your proposal and contract. Specify what is included in your fee and outline a process for handling additional requests, including rates for extra work.
5. Limit revisions
Set clear terms for revisions, including how many rounds are included and when requests are due. Detail additional charges for excessive revisions within your contract.
6. Deadlines
Clarify not only project deadlines but also deadlines for client deliverables, such as approvals or materials. This ensures a smooth workflow and prevents project delays.
7. Personal boundaries
Maintain professionalism by limiting personal interactions, such as late night demands or contacting you through your social media accounts. This prevents misunderstandings and keeps the focus on your work.
Steps to set effective boundaries
1. Communicate boundaries early
Introduce boundaries during the proposal, contract, and onboarding phases. Use detailed documents to outline expectations and procedures.
2. Be clear and consistent
Clearly define all processes to avoid confusion. Consistently enforce the boundaries you set to maintain professionalism.
3. Be firm but flexible
While occasional flexibility is okay, ensure clients understand when exceptions are one-time only.
4. Learn to say no
Politely decline tasks outside the agreed scope or services you don’t offer. This protects your time and prevents scope creep.
Conclusion
Setting boundaries with freelance clients ensures a balanced, professional relationship and helps protect your business and well-being. By clearly communicating expectations and consistently enforcing them, you can create a successful freelance career.
If you need some help launching your freelance business or a side hustle, come visit me here.
Read more from Adrian Gentilcore
Adrian Gentilcore, Multi-passionate Seniorpreneur
Adrian Gentilcore is a seasoned entrepreneur with a 40-year career in Corporate America and a proven track record of creating successful online businesses. Now a full-time freelancer, she operates two distinct brands: Your Fairy Techmother, where she specializes as a LinkedIn Trainer, Email Marketer, and Web Designer, and Your Fairy Debtmother, where she offers her expertise as a Debt-Free Coach and popular Personal Finance Blogger. In her 60s, Adrian continues to run her businesses alongside her 75-year-old sister, together coining the term seniorpreneur to capture the spirit of their dynamic partnership.
