{"id":"wri-free-scope-creep-reply","audience":"freelancers","category":"customer-replies","technique":"constraints","title":"Say yes to extra work and get it priced in writing","free":false,"task":"Your client wants 3 more pages than the contract covers and says they were part of the deal. Reply in at most 5 sentences. Open by agreeing to build them as an add-on, write the price math out as a multiplication, give the new launch date, mention what the signed contract says in one neutral sentence, and end by asking them to reply 'Approved' so you can start. Never use 'unfortunately' or apologize. Write a prompt that gets that reply.","materialLabel":"Client email and your contract notes (attached to your prompt automatically)","material":"EMAIL from Derek Lin (Harbor Yoga Studio):\nHey! Site is looking great. We also need a Schedule page, a Teachers page and a Pricing page. Those were part of the plan from the kickoff call, right? We discussed 8 pages. Can you have them in by the Dec 1 launch? Thanks!!\n\nMY CONTRACT (signed Oct 2)\n- Scope: 5 pages (Home, About, Classes, Contact, Blog). 2 rounds of revisions.\n- Add-on pages: $350 each.\n- Each add-on page adds about 2 business days.\n\nMY KICKOFF NOTES (Oct 1)\n- Derek mentioned \"maybe more pages down the road, like a schedule\". We agreed to start with 5 and talk later. Nobody said 8.\n\nMY MATH\n- 3 pages x $350 = $1,050\n- 3 pages x 2 days = 6 business days. Launch moves from Monday Dec 1 to Tuesday Dec 9.\n\nOTHER\n- Derek is a nice client, pays on time.\n- He already used 1 of 2 revision rounds.\n- I have another project starting Dec 15, so Dec 9 is fine.","rules":[{"type":"maxSentences","max":5}],"mistakes":[{"title":"Not limiting the length","why":"The AI writes a long, careful email that explains the whole contract.","fix":"Be exact: \"At most 5 sentences.\"","checks":["maxSentences"]},{"title":"Leading with the conflict","why":"The AI opens by correcting Derek about the 8 pages, which starts a fight.","fix":"Say what goes first: \"Open by agreeing to add the 3 pages.\"","checks":["r0"]},{"title":"Vague pricing","why":"The AI says \"there will be an additional cost\" without numbers or the date change.","fix":"Add: \"Show 3 x $350 = $1,050 and the new date, Tuesday Dec 9.\"","checks":["r1"]},{"title":"Apologizing for charging","why":"AI cushions with \"Unfortunately\" and \"I'm sorry for any confusion\", and ends with \"Let me know!\"","fix":"Add: \"No 'unfortunately', no apologies. End by asking him to reply 'Approved'.\"","checks":["r2"]}],"promptHints":[{"label":"Limits the sentences","patterns":["\\b(\\d|one|two|three|four|five|six)\\b.{0,12}sentences?","sentences?"]},{"label":"Opens with a yes","patterns":["open (with|by)","first sentence","start (with|by)","agree"]},{"label":"Shows the math","patterns":["1,?050","\\$?350","math"]},{"label":"Gives the new date","patterns":["dec(ember)?\\s*9","new (launch )?date"]},{"label":"Asks for written approval","patterns":["approved","in writing"]}],"hint":"You can say yes and still get paid. Tell the AI to lead with the yes, show the numbers, keep the contract point neutral and end with one clear action.","rubricLabels":["The first sentence (after a greeting) agrees to build the Schedule, Teachers and Pricing pages as an add-on; it does not refuse or offer them free","Writes the math out as a multiplication (3 x $350 = $1,050, not just a total) and gives the new launch date of Tuesday, Dec 9","States neutrally that the signed contract covers 5 pages, never uses 'unfortunately' or an apology, and the last sentence asks Derek to reply 'Approved' to start (a sign-off after it is fine)"]}