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I had a writer nail the draft on the first try, but I needed to shift a headline and update a quote. I flagged it as “tiny” but offered to pay for extra time. They appreciated that and wrapped it fast. Mutual respect makes collaboration easy.
That’s how it should be — respect both ways. If a client acknowledges edits are extra work and offers compensation, it feels collaborative. Sadly, too many want champagne service for tap-water budgets.
I'm not sure how you have quoted for this job, but I would say not to do a press release on an hourly rate but for a fixed amount that includes a draft and a set number of revisions.
Start pushing back on that immediately. When they ask for something quick, ask questions so you are understanding the full scope of what they want, and let them know the timeline and ask/tell whether or not it still works with the original dates.
I agree with you, pushing back right away is the only way to stop it snowballing. Clients will always frame big edits as “quick” if you let them. Setting timelines up front is key.
It sounds like you just have to take charge of the situation. Tell them to give you the changes, add them, and have them sign off. From what you're saying, it shouldn't be taking hours. Don't be worried about losing future assignments, if they're very difficult to work with you don't need them.
I have to disagree here. Saying “it shouldn’t take hours” really downplays the reality. Sometimes “just a headline tweak” means rewriting the whole structure. Clear limits aren’t about being difficult — they’re about protecting your time.
This is why I try to always do hourly contracts instead of per piece. That way if they want to start adding a bunch of edits, I'll just make more money. Is it possible that you could talk to your client and let them know that these edits are a time sink and you can only do X number of edits per PR?
Hourly contracts do solve this, but not every client agrees. The bigger issue is mindset: treating edits as “included forever” rather than paid labour. Normalising edit caps should be non-negotiable
I would set a clear boundary by framing it as process, not pushback. Something like: “Happy to make these changes, but since they’re new revisions beyond the approved draft, I’ll need to log them as additional work.” That way it’s professional, not personal.
Exactly — it’s not about being combative, it’s about process. Revisions beyond approval = new scope, full stop. Framing it as professional boundaries keeps the relationship intact while protecting your energy.