How do I ensure my work meets client expectations?

Meeting client expectations can often feel like threading a needle while balancing on a tightrope. It's tricky, but entirely doable with a little strategy, honesty, and communication. Here’s how you can make it happen:

1. Clear Communication from Day One: Right at the start, sit down with your client and hammer out the details. Ask a lot of questions. Who’s their target audience? What are their goals? What does success look like to them? Get as granular as possible – and repeat back what you’ve understood to ensure you're on the same page.

2. Set Realistic Milestones: Map out the project journey with key milestones. It’s like using a GPS for your project, and it helps your client visualize progress. It also provides checkpoints to recalibrate if needed.

3. Underpromise, Overdeliver: It’s an oldie but a goodie. Manage expectations by being realistic about what you can achieve within a given timeframe. Then, when you deliver more than expected or ahead of schedule, you’re golden.

4. Regular Check-Ins: Keep the communication lines open through regular updates. Even if it's just a brief email, clients appreciate knowing where things stand and it avoids the general panic of being left in the dark.

5. Gather and Incorporate Feedback: Create opportunities for your client to provide feedback throughout the process. It’s easier to make adjustments during the development phase rather than after the completion when hard feelings could brew.

6. Learn from the Messy Middle: Sometimes things won’t go as planned, and that’s okay. Reflect on what went wrong, learn the lessons, and implement changes for future projects. It’s how you build resilience and better workflows.

7. Create a Feedback Loop at Project End: Once the project is delivered, seek feedback. It’s essential for continuous improvement and can also help you identify areas you might have missed during the hustle.

In "The Corporate Dropout," I talk a lot about redefining success, and part of that is embracing the process, not just the outcome. Remember, every project is an opportunity to learn and adapt. Keep the client's vision in focus, make communication your project backbone, and always be ready to pivot. Success isn’t just delivering what they want—it’s about forging a collaborative journey to that outcome.