Dear Entrepreneur: Your clients are not mind reader

Sep 4, 2025
3 min read

Hey you, yeah you!! Let’s get something clear: your clients are not mind readers. They can’t magically guess your process, your availability, or what “done” actually means in your head.

And yet, so many entrepreneurs self-sabotage by assuming clients just “know.” Spoiler: they don’t. And guess what happens when you don’t set expectations? Misunderstandings, scope creep, awkward money talks, and you crying into your desk at 2 a.m.

So let’s talk about the gaps and how to close them like a pro.

In a City Full of Tourists, How Do You Build a Lasting Da Nang Business — *Let's tell them! (Loudly, Clearly and Sassily)*

The Unseen Wall: Communication Gaps 🕳️

Here’s the tea: most projects don’t fail because you suck at your craft. They fail because communication falls apart.

You assumed. (“Of course they know I don’t work weekends!”)
They assumed. (“Of course this package includes unlimited revisions!”)
Nobody said it out loud. Boom. Disaster.

When you don’t set the rules of engagement, clients will fill the gaps with their own version of reality. And their version usually = way more work for you at the same price.

Expectation Setting = Your Secret Weapon ⚔️

Want happier clients, fewer headaches, and more referrals? Start by over-communicating like your paycheck depends on it because it does.

Here’s what you need to lock down:

Scope: What exactly is included? And what’s not.
Timeline: When you’ll deliver, how long feedback takes, and what happens if they’re late.
Communication channel: Email, Slack, carrier pigeon? Pick one and stick to it.
Revisions: How many rounds are included before the price goes up?
Boundaries: Your working hours. Unless you charge “2 a.m. panic rates,” don’t let clients assume you’re available 24/7.

=>Pro tip: put this in writing. Contract, onboarding doc, friendly “here’s how I work” PDF. Don’t leave it in the air; air gets messy.

Common Rookie Mistakes (Stop Doing These🚫)

Saying “yes” to everything. You’re not a genie, you’re a professional.
Letting clients DM you on cross platforms. If they can’t remember where they sent the file, neither will you.
Delivering without a kickoff call or onboarding guide. That’s like starting a road trip without a map.
Avoiding money talk because it feels “awkward.” Spoiler: it’s way more awkward when you fight about it later.

How to Slay the Communication Game 🔥

Here’s your glow-up checklist:

Start strong: Have a kickoff call where you literally spell things out. “This is what’s included, this is how we’ll talk, this is what happens if you ghost me.”
Use templates: Onboarding emails, FAQs, canned responses = lifesavers.
Update often: Even if it’s “hey, waiting on feedback,” it shows you’re on top of it. Silence kills trust.
Ask for clarity: Don’t be afraid to say, “What do you mean by that?” instead of pretending you understood.
End well: Wrap projects with a summary, next steps, and feedback request. Clean exits = repeat business.

The Money Question 💸

Setting expectations isn’t just about deadlines and deliverables; it’s about money too. Spell out payment terms, deposit requirements, and late fees. If you don’t, clients will assume your bank account runs on “exposure.”

And remember: confidence is contagious. When you state your process and rates like it’s the most normal thing in the world, clients trust you more.

Bottom Line, Entrepreneur 💌

Your clients aren’t villains. They’re not trying to take advantage of you (most of the time

Over-communicate. Set boundaries. Put it in writing. Do this, and you’ll stop being the frazzled freelancer who rants and become the trusted pro who gets repeat clients, glowing testimonials, and referrals on autopilot.

So, next time you feel like yelling “Why don’t they get it?!” - remember: because you didn’t tell them. Now go tell them. Loudly. Clearly. Sassily.

Always have your back,

Wildcats

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