Caley Dimmock

As consultants, strategists, service providers, or educators, it can be easy to assume that people “should” know certain things, like…

They “should” not expect free advice in the DMs.

They “should” not expect access to you inside an offering where no access is included.

They “should” not expect strategy when you weren’t hired for strategy.

But expecting people to be aware of boundaries or guidelines that were never communicated will always leave you exhausted in the end.

So if you know that having some guardrails in place would help you…

YOU’VE got to set the tone.

Because if you show people that you’re always available for free consulting in the DMs (AKA FREE WORK), people are going to assume it’s okay to do so.

If you show clients they can reach you at any time, by any method, and expect to reach you, they are going to assume it’s okay to do so.

If you show people they can ask you for services that weren’t included in the scope of your agreement, they’ll assume it’s okay to do so.

Yes, setting boundaries can feel scary. Or maybe even like it’s just asking for “too much”.

But that’s the whole point - because in order to serve your actual clients, to the best of your ability, you have to define what you are and aren’t available for, whether in your DMs to followers, or folks who are already paying you for your services and offers.

And if you’ve already trained your audience and clients this way, please don’t beat yourself up. Many of us were raised to not speak up. And that’s not your fault.

But how you set guidelines in your business, is your responsibility.

🫶🏼