Lessons From Launching Creative Services in Beta

Offering services at Sunny Send Up in beta first has been one big “learn as you go” moment. Some parts have been smoother than I expected, others… not so much.

But every win, hiccup, and “why didn’t I think of that before?” has been hugely helpful as I shape my offers as a creative service provider.

And the good news? If you’re considering hiring me, you benefit from all of it.

Here’s what I’m learning so far.

1. Client experience can be more stressful than delivering the actual service!

Not only that — it matters just as much (if not more) especially for offers that are meant to be simple.

When I first started pitching my newsletter archive services, I had a pretty good idea of how the service would be set up and run. I hoped a beta round would help me iron out the little nuances and any possible hiccups that could arise.

What I didn’t consider? That the simplicity of the service — and the fact that it’s low-ticket — meant I needed to figure out how to be thorough and explain a lot without being overwhelming to prospects.

Turns out, that’s a tough balance to get right. At first, I wasn’t clear on what potential clients needed to know and when, which led to sending proposals and info docs packed with way too much info and context they didn’t need just yet.

2. The admin stuff is way harder if you don’t have your processes nailed down

Before starting Sunny Send Up, I was a freelance SEO writer who mostly worked through platforms like Upwork or for companies who had their own standard procedures for working with freelancers. I wasn’t usually the one handling the backend stuff — which meant I didn’t have to worry about contracts, questionnaires, payment processors, any of it.

When I landed my first client at Sunny Send Up, I planned to use Dubsado for client management. Little did I know I’d spend literal hours trying to set it up, get completely overwhelmed, and shut it down entirely.

I ended up just using Notion for my first kickoff doc. Easy-peasy, right? But then I also realized I didn’t have a payment processor ready, no system for questionnaires, and no scheduler to book meetings.

Talk about a headache. Clearly, I severely underestimated the tech and tools needed to run a smooth service. If I could go back, I’d map out my planned process and tech stack as much as possible beforehand, rather than waste time figuring it out on the fly.

3. Beta means less pressure — only not *really*

I kept telling myself: “They’re beta services, I’m being upfront about that, so it’s okay if the experience isn’t completely seamless.”

But as a perfectionist with ADHD (and a side of RSD sprinkled in), I immediately found myself wanting to make every little thing perfect from the get go.

Being transparent with clients about being in beta mode has eased some of the pressure, but in some ways, it’s made it feel like more pressure. I’m incredibly grateful to anyone who decides to trust me despite the fact that I’m very transparent about the fact that I’m new.

In some cases, though, that gratitude has elevated the pressure because in a way, I feel like I *owe* them (more than just the services we agreed on, lol) and really wanted to make a good first impression.

4. Clear communication and client checkpoints are everything

One of my favorite things about my newsletter archive service is how hands-off it is for clients and how little week-to-week communication is involved. You book me monthly or quarterly, send over access, and I take it from there — no email ping-pong or endless meetings.

Clients can see progress week to week, but without intentional check-ins, it can feel a little ghost-y — like there’s some mysterious elf working behind the scenes instead of a real human being they hired.

I’m realizing that even though clients can see my work progress, little check-ins go a long way to keep that relationship warm. A quick email note or wrap-up message takes me just a few minutes but can go a long way to remind them that I’m still here and invested in their business.

The opposite problem? Info dumping. I’m a certified yapper and can sometimes overwhelm people with way too much info at once — context they don’t need yet, instructions they won’t use yet. Now I’m aiming for a middle ground so they’re not overwhelmed with information all at once.

5. Every tiny win and bit of progress boosts confidence

Here’s been my favorite part of launching services in beta: every single project milestone, positive client comment, or smooth onboarding step feels like receiving a gold star. 😂

When you’re offering a new type of service (or you’re just new at being an online service provider in general), it often feels like you’re just flailing around trying to figure out what the heck you’re doing.

But a beta phase gives you permission to start imperfectly while you’re figuring things out — all while actually interacting with clients, getting some wins under your belt, and making REAL CASH MONEY while you’re at it.

Every small win boosts my confidence and helps me keep improving and selling my services with more ease.

TL;DR — I’m so glad I launched in beta first

As a new creative business owner, there’s a period in the beginning where you don’t know what you don’t know.

Launching my services in beta first has allowed me to show myself some grace and maintain transparency with my clients as I figure things out. So far, so good!

If you’re a new online service provider not totally confident in your offer or processes yet, I highly recommend starting with a beta phase. It eases pressure and helps you nail down how your business and client experience will run.

If you’re a prospective client reading this, hey! Beta spots are still open now through the end of fall 2025. If you’re interested in my services at a discounted beta rate, get in touch to snag your spot!