Ask How do freelancers handle situations where client expectations are completely unrealistic?

[Brendan]

Some clients come in with expectations that do not match the budget, the timeline, or even what is technically possible. It is one of the more frustrating parts of freelancing because you want to keep the client happy, but you also cannot promise what you cannot deliver. The way you handle that conversation early on can either save the project or cause problems later. How do you usually manage a client who wants more than what they are willing to pay or allow time for?