Case: A one-page deal memo killed scope creep, saved 12 hrs/month

Case: A one-page deal memo killed scope creep, saved 12 hrs/month
A creator kept getting "can you also add a Reel?" after deals closed. Unpaid extras ate her time.

We standardized a deal memo, signed before work starts:

— Deliverables (exact count + format)
— Revisions included (2, then $X each)
— Usage rights (where, how long)
— Timeline + payment terms
— "Out of scope" line: anything not listed is a new quote

Trigger rule: if a request isn't in the memo, then reply "Happy to — that's [+$X], want me to add it?"

Result: over 2 months, unpaid extras went from ~12 hours/month to zero. Two "extra" asks converted to $700 in add-on revenue instead of free work.

Definition of done:
— Memo signed pre-work
— Revision cap stated
— Out-of-scope clause present