30/07/2026
A few of my rules sound a little strange out of context, but theyâre a big part of why Klioh has stayed profitable, not just busy.
Here are five I wonât budge on đ
1. I never discount. If the budget is smaller, I reduce the scope, not the price. Dropping your rate quietly tells a client the work was overpriced to begin with, and itâs almost impossible to walk back later.
2. I price in all the hours Iâll never put on an invoice. The thinking, the revisions, the admin around a project are where studios lose the most money. I build that into the fee from the start, rather than absorbing it later.
3. Iâm clear about revisions before a project even begins. âJust one more small tweakâ is one of the most common ways profit leaks out of creative work. Agreeing whatâs included upfront keeps the project, and the relationship, healthy.
4. I look at profit per project, not just revenue. A fully booked month can still be a barely profitable one, so Iâd rather take on less and actually keep more.
5. Iâd rather leave gaps in my calendar than be fully booked. A bit of breathing room means I can say yes to the right high-value work when it appears, and it stops quality slipping when everything is packed too tightly.
None of these are particularly glamorous, and a few go against the usual advice. But protecting your margins is what lets you keep doing the work you love without burning out or resenting it đ Which of these would be hardest for you to stick to?
