Managing Client Disputes | Client Management Strategies for Freelance Creatives, Designers & Artists (An Original CreativesEd® + What Would Sheila Say?® Podcast) cover art

Managing Client Disputes | Client Management Strategies for Freelance Creatives, Designers & Artists (An Original CreativesEd® + What Would Sheila Say?® Podcast)

Managing Client Disputes | Client Management Strategies for Freelance Creatives, Designers & Artists (An Original CreativesEd® + What Would Sheila Say?® Podcast)

By: Sheila M. Wilkinson LMSW Esq.
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About this listen

 Are you a creative professional looking for practical and simple strategies to set clear boundaries with clients and to make good decisions for yourself and your career without biting the hand that feeds you? If so, then you're in the right place! Let's build you a more Joyful and Thriving™ life! We all want a career we can enjoy and feel good about, regardless of whether we’re employed, a freelancer, self-employed, or even own our own business. Clarity of who you are, what you want, and why you want it is at the heart of an amazing career as a creative professional. You've got to feel confident in setting the right boundaries and expectations with clients from the get-go, and I am here to help you do exactly that! This podcast gives you the business, legal, interpersonal, and conflict resolution foundations that you need so you don't have to Google it. I’m even giving you specific prompts that will help you make aligned decisions about the clients, creative briefs, and compensation you want in your career. I've been told I am a breath of fresh air, a mix of punk rock therapy and badass business mom, and the patron saint of troublemakers. I don’t want you to follow the status quo - I want you to EXCEED the status quo. My focus is helping you be a joyful, laughter-filled, healthy human, who attracts the right people, projects, and pay you really want. I've been living on two continents for over 18 years, I make sleep my priority, and more than anything else: I want you to know that the life you always thought you'd have by now is so much closer than you think! Each episode will help you reflect (intellectually), ask you questions you might not have realized you needed the answers to (emotionally), and then help you connect the two so you can get clarity about your next step when handling a client issue and then preventing it the next time. My mission is to help you get the clarity, confidence, and courage you need to build your creative life exactly how you want it, no matter what. ------------------------- 🥰 Find out more about what working with me looks like at sheilawilkinson.com and follow me over on Instagram @sheilamwilkinson 💌 Grab my FREE Plug and Play Email Templates for telling people what you need without burning bridges at sheilawilkinson.com/scripts “Managing Client Disputes” is an Original CreativesEd® and What Would Sheila Say?® Podcast. All Rights Reserved, Worldwide.Copyright © Wilkinson / CreativesEd® & What Would Sheila Say?® are Registered Trademarks, Protected by Federal Law. Reproduction, derivative works (including parodies), distribution, public performance and/or display of works is strictly prohibited. Art Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Your Client Wants Unlimited Revisions—Now What? {Ep. 85}

    Your Client Wants Unlimited Revisions—Now What? {Ep. 85}
    Jun 30 2025

    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!
    Show More Show Less
    21 mins
  • Reinvent the Rules: Empowerment and Experimentation for Creatives {Ep. 84}

    Reinvent the Rules: Empowerment and Experimentation for Creatives {Ep. 84}
    Jun 8 2025

    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!
    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • Overcoming the Fear of Losing a Client: Defining Your Ideal Client {Ep. 83}

    Overcoming the Fear of Losing a Client: Defining Your Ideal Client {Ep. 83}
    May 18 2025

    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!
    Show More Show Less
    19 mins

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