The "One-Feature" MVP: How to Stop Over-Delivering
Freelancers often build Ferraris when clients asked for skateboards. Learn how to scope smaller, ship faster, and get paid sooner.
Introduction
As experts, we want to do great work. We see a client's problem and we want to build the perfect solution.
The client asks for a landing page. We want to build them a CMS with dynamic personalization and A/B testing.
This instinct, while noble, is dangerous. It leads to:
- Ballooning budgets that scare clients away.
- Projects that drag on for months.
- "Scope Creep" that you inflicted on yourself.
Enter the concept of the One-Feature MVP.
The Curse of Perfectionism
Clients usually have one burning pain point. Everything else is a "nice to have."
If you bundle the "nice to haves" into the core price, you bloat the cost. You make the decision harder.
- Client Need: "I need to collect emails."
- Your Pitch: "I will build a full marketing funnel with automation." ($5,000)
- Result: Client says "That's too expensive."
What is a One-Feature MVP?
MVP stands for Minimum Viable Product.
Ask yourself: "What is the smallest thing I can build that solves the immediate pain?"
- One-Feature Solution: A simple, high-converting landing page connected to Mailchimp. ($800)
- Timeline: 3 days.
This is easy to say "Yes" to.
How to Sell Smaller Scopes
You aren't refusing to do the big work. You are just sequencing it.
The Script: "I can see you have big goals for automation. However, to get you results next week, I recommend we start with Phase 1: The Landing Page. This gets us live and collecting data. Then, we can use the revenue from those leads to fund Phase 2: The Automation."
This makes you a strategic partner, not just a greedy vendor.
Phasing Projects in Manager List
Use the Packages feature to separate the MVP from the Dream.
- Package 1 (Required): The MVP. Low price. Fast timeline.
- Package 2 (Optional): The "Dream Features." Higher price.
This allows the client to buy the skateboard now, with the option to upgrade to the Ferrari later.
Conclusion
Stop over-delivering for free. Start selling phases.
You will close more deals, ship faster, and—ironically—end up doing more work for the client in the long run because they trust you to deliver.