Awkward Message Helper
Declining, chasing, apologising, pushing back. Describe the situation, get a message that handles it gracefully.
New to this? Read the guide.
What it produces
Real output from this tool, not a mock-up.
What went in
- Who it is to
- Client
- What is the situation
- Client keeps adding pages to a website project. Original quote was for 6 pages, we are now at 11 and they just asked for a blog section too. They have not mentioned money once. I need to tell them this is now a bigger project and needs a revised quote, without making it sound like I am nickel and diming them. Otherwise good client, want to keep them.
- How firm
- Slightly past the middle
Message
We need to talk scope before I add the blog section. The original quote covered 6 pages, we're now at 11, and a blog section is another jump on top of that. That's a significantly bigger project than what we scoped at the start, so I want to put together a revised quote before I go further. This isn't about nickel and diming, it's just that the build has genuinely grown and I want the pricing to reflect the actual work rather than quietly absorbing it. I'll send over an updated quote covering the extra pages plus the blog section by [date], so you have clear numbers before deciding what to include. Happy to jump on a call if it's easier to talk through what's essential versus nice-to-have.
Softer and firmer versions
- Softer: Quick thing before I start on the blog section: we've grown a fair bit since the original quote. That covered 6 pages, and we're now at 11, plus the new blog section would add more on top. I don't want this to feel like I'm counting pages against you, it's just genuinely a bigger build than what we first scoped, so I'd like to put together a revised quote so the pricing matches the work. I'll get that to you by [date]. If it's useful, I'm happy to hop on a call and talk through what's worth including now versus later.
- Firmer: Before I take on the blog section, we need a revised quote. The original scope was 6 pages, we're at 11 now, and adding a blog section is a further, separate piece of work. This has moved well past the original quote, so I'll be pricing the additional pages and the blog section as an update to that scope. I'll have the revised numbers to you by [date], and I'd like to get sign-off on that before starting the blog work. Let me know if you want to talk through it first.
When to use it
Use this for the message you have been putting off: pushing back on scope, chasing money, correcting someone senior, apologising properly. Describe the situation plainly, including the parts you would not put in the message, and set how firm you need to be.