The Client Who Wanted It All (But Only Wanted to Pay for Half)
There’s a moment in every VA’s journey when you realize that some clients just don’t get it. They’ll come in with big dreams, endless to-do lists, and a budget that barely covers coffee money.
Early on, I found myself in that situation with a client who wanted it all—without paying for it. It started small: “Hey Monica, can you just add this one little task to the list?” Of course, I wanted to be accommodating, so I said yes. After all, I thought it was just a small favor.
But one small task turned into two. Two turned into ten. Before I knew it, I was buried under a pile of “little extras” that weren’t so little after all.
The Breaking Point
One day, after delivering an entire campaign overhaul on top of my usual workload, the client dropped this line:
“Since you’re already in there, can you just add a few more elements? Shouldn’t take too long, right?”
That was it. I snapped—silently, of course, because professionalism still matters. But internally, I knew I couldn’t keep saying yes. I was running on fumes, and I knew I had to make a change.
🚫 The Problem? I Wasn’t Setting the Standard.
I realized that I was letting this client dictate my boundaries. Instead of confidently stating what was included in my package, I was letting the fear of losing a client keep me stuck in an endless cycle of over-delivering and under-charging.
I sat down, took a deep breath, and crafted a message that set the record straight. I explained that while I was happy to help with additional tasks, they would require a separate scope and investment. I sent it, held my breath, and prepared for pushback.
The client’s response?
“Oh, I didn’t realize! I thought it was just part of what I was already paying for.”
Turns out, the problem wasn’t just the client—it was me not clearly communicating my value and boundaries. From that day forward, I made it a rule:
Every task has a value, and every value deserves respect.
💡 Setting Standards Changed My Business
Once I started saying “no” to unpaid extras, something amazing happened. I attracted better clients—the kind who respected my time and paid for my expertise. My income increased because I wasn’t filling my calendar with low-value tasks. I wasn’t just hustling to keep clients—I was building relationships with those who saw my worth.
As VAs (and as coaches), it’s easy to fall into the trap of over-delivering just to keep someone happy. But let me tell you: if you keep saying yes to tasks that don’t align with your value, you’ll never scale. You’ll burn out before you even get close to your goals.
The Bottom Line? Set Your Own Standards.
Don’t let clients decide what your work is worth. If they see you as a yes-person rather than a strategic partner, they’ll keep pushing until you’re drained. Instead, set clear expectations from the start—and stick to them.
Remember: High-value clients respect boundaries. The ones who don’t? Let them go. You’re building a business, not a charity.
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Monica ✌🏽❤️
