How do you handle scope creep with clients who keep asking for 'just one more edit'?

I feel your pain. I learned this the hard way too. The trick is to define what a 'revision' actually is in your contract. I now write: 'A revision is a change to the creative direction, script, or major structural edit. Minor tweaks like color adjustments, font changes, or swapping clips within the same sequence are considered part of the final polish and are limited to 3 per project.' But even then, I charge a flat 'rush edit' fee for any request after the final deliverable is sent. I use a tool like HoneyBook to automate this – once the project is marked 'delivered', any new message triggers an invoice for a $50 quick-edit fee. Clients quickly learn to batch their requests.

I think the issue starts before the contract. In your onboarding call, set the expectation verbally: 'Hey, after the final video is exported, any further changes will be billed at my hourly rate of $75/hr with a 1-hour minimum.' I also send a Loom video walking through the final edit and ask them to watch it entirely before requesting changes. This cuts down on impulsive 'ooh can you try this' requests. Also, use frame.io or Wipster for feedback – clients can pin comments directly on the timeline, and you can mark them as 'addressed' in real-time. This keeps everything trackable and prevents the 'oh, I forgot to mention earlier' syndrome.

I'm a sound designer but I deal with the same thing. What worked for me is offering three tiers: Basic (2 revisions included), Standard (5 revisions), and Premium (unlimited revisions for 7 days after delivery). The Premium tier is priced 40% higher, and almost no one picks it, but it makes the Standard tier look like a steal. Also, I always add a clause: 'Any revision request received after 48 hours of delivery will be treated as a new project.' This forces clients to actually review the video quickly instead of sitting on it for a week and then asking for changes. For audio-specific advice: I deliver a 'locked' mixdown as an MP3 and only share the project file if they pay for the multitrack license – that stops them from tweaking it themselves and blaming me.

All great advice. I want to add a psychological trick: never call them 'revisions' in conversation. Call them 'additional edit passes.' It sounds more technical and valuable. Also, when a client asks for a 'quick fix,' I respond with: 'Sure, I can slot that in. Let me send you a quick quote for the extra time – it'll be about 15 minutes of work, so $18.75. I'll invoice you and get started right away.' Most of the time they either back off or suddenly realize their 'quick fix' isn't that important. If they agree, you get paid fairly. Win-win. Also, use a plugin like Extension for Premiere Pro that tracks time spent per project – I show clients a screenshot of my timeline with the time log if they push back on extra charges.

Thanks everyone, these are gold. I implemented the 'additional edit pass' language and started using a quick quote for any change after delivery. Already had a client ask for a 'tiny text fix' and I invoiced $15 – they paid without a word. I also updated my contract to explicitly define minor tweaks as part of the final polish, with a cap of 3 per project. The tiered pricing idea from audiopro78 is genius – I'm going to add a Premium tier for my next batch of clients. Seriously, this community is the best. Problem solved!

Hey renderteam60, glad to hear the tweaks are working out for you. One thing I'd add from my own experience: I started using a client portal with built-in approval workflows. Tools like Notion or even a simple Trello board can force clients to formally "sign off" on each stage (rough cut, fine cut, final). Once they click that green button, any new request triggers an automatic "new project" quote. It's a game-changer because it removes the ambiguity of verbal approvals. Also, for the "tiny text fix" scenario, I now include a "typographical error" clause in my contract: if the fix is correcting a misspelling or a factual error *I* introduced, it's free within 24 hours. If it's a client-introduced change (like changing a name or date after delivery), it's billable. That distinction has saved me a few awkward conversations. How's the Premium tier pricing working out for you? I'm curious if anyone's actually taken it yet.

Great thread, and I'm glad the tiered approach is working for you renderteam60. I just wanted to add one thing that's been a lifesaver for me: I've started putting a "final deliverable" checklist in my project handoff email. It lists exactly what's included (exported file, project file if purchased, any assets) and what's NOT included (future edits, format conversions, etc.). I've found that clients who see this upfront are way less likely to ask for "one more thing" after delivery, because they know exactly what they're getting.

Also, on the Premium tier question - I've had exactly one client take it in the past year, and honestly it was a blessing. They were a corporate client who needed constant tweaks for a board presentation, and the 40% markup covered my time completely. The key was setting a hard 7-day window and making sure the contract clearly stated that after that window, even Premium clients get billed at the standard hourly rate. It's worth offering just for the peace of mind, even if most clients don't bite.