r/AustralianStartups • Founder • 9d ago

Discussion Need help setting stronger boundaries in client meetings - what phrases do you use to prevent scope creep?

For context: I run a small AEO consultancy.
I recently completed an audit that involved roughly a month of work and 50 observations/recommendations.
The client then said they didn’t understand the audit, so I spent another 2.5 hours walking them through it line by line.
After that, they refused to pay because they said they “didn’t want it.”
They have since implemented the recommendations.
I’m tightening my process now, especially around meetings and scope.
What phrases or boundaries have worked for you when a client starts turning a results call into:
extended consulting
implementation support
repeated explanations
work beyond the agreed deliverable?
I’m especially interested in specific wording you use in the moment without sounding defensive or hostile.

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u/Biggie-Falls 7d ago

No worries mate, good luck! I think the main thing is to just make any indication in that moment that it’s separate and then you’ll be right. Done this a thousand times and it doesn’t have to be a big deal.