Ep. 3272 - Q&A: “How do I avoid a bad review on my first client job?”
Side Hustle School
Chris Guillebeau / Onward Project
4.8 • 3.3K Ratings
🗓️ 16 December 2025
⏱️ 4 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
The first paying client feels like a high-wire act without a net. We’ll put a small safety net underneath: clear scope, midpoint check-in, and a simple “fix it fast” promise that keeps reviews in good shape.
Side Hustle School features a new episode EVERY DAY, featuring detailed case studies of people who earn extra money without quitting their job. This year, the show includes free guided lessons and listener Q&A several days each week.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Lemonada. |
| 0:02.7 | The first time you have a paying client or customer, it can feel a little bit stressful. |
| 0:15.7 | You're worried. |
| 0:16.6 | You want to make sure that you get a good review, especially if you're doing anything public. |
| 0:21.8 | Today's caller, they are doing, what is it looks like, installation of window blinds. |
| 0:26.7 | And they're just worried about the process, which is normal. |
| 0:30.0 | I think it's just kind of human nature when you set out to work for yourself for the first time, |
| 0:34.6 | when you start a new project and it's, you know, the first client or customer first impression. Early clients, early projects shape confidence and word of mouth. You always worry |
| 0:43.1 | about disaster. But fortunately, most disasters are preventable with some upfront expectations, |
| 0:48.3 | just as important as execution, I think. So let's talk about it. I'm going to hear this question. |
| 0:52.9 | How do I avoid a bad review |
| 0:54.2 | on my first client job? We could also say, how do you get a great review? Let's focus on creating |
| 0:59.1 | positive experiences. How about that? Detail question and my answer coming right up. |
| 1:29.9 | Hi, side hustle team. I'm about to take on my first paid project, a custom install of window blinds for a large home. I'm terrified the client will dislike it. Leave a bad review and take my reputation before I even begin. That fear makes me endlessly worry instead of getting down to work. |
| 1:34.9 | How do experience side hustlers handle the risk of disappointing an early customer? |
| 1:41.8 | Is there a process, draft reviews, limited revisions that protects me if the first attempt isn't perfect? |
| 1:47.7 | Well, it sounds like you mostly need a confidence boost. |
| 1:51.2 | Obviously, you wouldn't be getting into this if you didn't have the skill to do it. |
| 1:56.2 | And I think it's good to be worried about your results. Like you, you want to go into this situation thinking, you know, how can I do the best possible job? That's better than just not caring, right? |
| 2:01.5 | So you ask how to experience side hustlers handle the risk of disappointing customers. I think mostly |
| 2:06.3 | you need to get some experience. And then you will see that most customers are good and most clients are |
| 2:12.2 | going to be happy with your work. But to give you a couple of logistical steps, I would say, |
... |
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