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Guides freelance client operations: lead qualification, pricing models, proposals, contracts, scoping, invoicing, and communication for creative work.
How this skill is triggered — by the user, by Claude, or both
Slash command
/example-skills:freelance-client-opsThe summary Claude sees in its skill listing — used to decide when to auto-load this skill
Run the business side of creative work smoothly.
Run the business side of creative work smoothly.
Lead → Qualify → Propose → Negotiate → Contract → Deliver → Invoice → Maintain
About the project:
About the client:
About logistics:
| Red Flag | What It Signals |
|---|---|
| "We don't have a budget" | Unclear if they can pay |
| Urgency without flexibility | Scope creep incoming |
| Can't articulate goals | Moving target |
| Many stakeholders, unclear ownership | Decision paralysis |
| "We'll figure it out as we go" | Scope creep |
| Pressure to skip contract | Unprofessional |
| Bad-mouthing previous freelancers | Pattern likely to repeat |
| Model | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | Uncertain scope, ongoing work | Simple, flexible | Penalizes efficiency |
| Project-based | Defined deliverables | Predictable for both | Scope creep risk |
| Retainer | Ongoing relationships | Steady income | Can feel like employment |
| Value-based | High-impact work | Highest potential | Harder to sell |
Annual salary desired: $100,000
Billable hours (50% of time): 1,000 hours
Benefits, taxes, overhead: +30%
Hourly rate = ($100,000 × 1.3) / 1,000 = $130/hour
Estimated hours × hourly rate × complexity multiplier + expenses
Complexity multiplier:
- Simple, familiar: 1.0
- Moderate complexity: 1.25
- Complex, new territory: 1.5
- Rush job: 1.5-2.0
"Based on the scope we discussed, this project would be $X. That includes [deliverables] and [rounds of revisions]. Timeline would be [X weeks]."
Don't apologize for your rates.
# Proposal: [Project Name]
Prepared for [Client] by [Your Name]
[Date]
## Understanding
[Restate their problem/goal in your words]
## Approach
[How you'll solve it]
## Deliverables
[Specific outputs they'll receive]
## Timeline
[Milestones with dates]
## Investment
[Pricing with payment schedule]
## About [You/Your Company]
[Brief credentials relevant to this project]
## Next Steps
[How to proceed]
## Terms
[Validity period, assumptions]
1. PARTIES
Names and contact info
2. SCOPE OF WORK
Specific deliverables
What's NOT included
3. TIMELINE
Key milestones
Dependencies on client
4. COMPENSATION
Total amount
Payment schedule
Payment terms (Net 15, etc.)
Late payment penalties
5. REVISIONS
What's included
Cost of additional revisions
6. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Who owns what, when
License terms
7. CONFIDENTIALITY
What's protected
Duration
8. TERMINATION
Kill fee / cancellation terms
How either party can exit
9. LIABILITY
Limitation of liability
Indemnification
10. GENERAL
Governing law
Dispute resolution
Signatures
Scope creep protection:
"Work outside the scope defined above will require a separate agreement and additional compensation at my standard rate of $X/hour."
Payment terms:
"Payment is due within 15 days of invoice. Late payments will incur a fee of 1.5% per month."
Kill fee:
"If Client terminates this agreement before completion, Client agrees to pay for all work completed plus 25% of the remaining contract value."
IP transfer trigger:
"Intellectual property rights transfer to Client upon receipt of final payment in full."
Agenda:
| Frequency | Format | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | Async (Slack/email) | Quick questions |
| Weekly | Status email | Progress, blockers, next steps |
| Milestone | Call/video | Review, feedback, decisions |
| As needed | Call | Complex discussions |
## Weekly Update: [Project Name]
Week of [Date]
### Completed This Week
- [Item]
- [Item]
### In Progress
- [Item] (X% complete)
### Blocked / Needs Input
- [Item] - waiting on [what] from [whom]
### Next Week
- [Item]
- [Item]
### Timeline Status
[On track / At risk / Behind]
### Budget Status
[X hours used of Y budgeted]
"I'd be happy to add [feature]. That would add approximately [X hours/$X] to the project and push the timeline by [Y days]. Want me to prepare a change order?"
[Your Business Name]
[Address]
[Email]
INVOICE #[Number]
Date: [Date]
Due: [Date]
Bill To:
[Client Name]
[Client Address]
----------------------------
[Description] [Amount]
Project: [Name] $X,XXX.XX
- [Phase/deliverable]
- [Phase/deliverable]
----------------------------
Subtotal: $X,XXX.XX
Tax: $XXX.XX
TOTAL: $X,XXX.XX
----------------------------
Payment Terms: Net 15
Make checks payable to: [Name]
Or pay via: [Link to payment]
Thank you for your business!
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Net 15 | Due in 15 days |
| Net 30 | Due in 30 days |
| Due on receipt | Due immediately |
| 50/50 | 50% upfront, 50% on completion |
| Milestone-based | Payment at each milestone |
"That's a great idea. It's outside our current scope, but I can add it for $X. Or we could swap it for [something currently in scope]. Which would you prefer?"
"I noticed invoice #X is now [Y days] past due. Could you let me know when I can expect payment? Per our agreement, I'll need to pause work until the outstanding balance is resolved."
"After reflection, I don't think I'm the right fit for this project going forward. I want to ensure a smooth transition—here's what I've completed, and here are my recommendations for next steps."
references/contract-template.md - Full contract templatereferences/proposal-template.md - Proposal templatereferences/email-templates.md - Client communication templatesnpx claudepluginhub a-organvm/a-i--skills --plugin document-skillsProvides a checklist for code reviews covering functionality, security, performance, maintainability, tests, and quality. Use for pull requests, audits, team standards, and developer training.