Cleat Book

Dockside notes · side work with clear terms

Make the line fast before you step off the boat.

Cleat Book is a small reference for people adding a second, smaller income to a full-time job. We don't sell courses, tools or coaching. A boat left without a proper hitch drifts; side work started without clear terms does the same, and it usually drifts into your evenings. We look at the four turns worth tying before any job starts: scope, deadline, price and hours.

See the hitch ↓

A dock cleat with a mooring line tied around it in a figure-eight hitch. Four turns of the line are labelled scope, deadline, price and hours. A small boat labelled side job sits at the end of the line, held steady against the dock instead of drifting.SCOPEDEADLINEPRICEHOURSSIDE JOB
Four turns around the cleat: scope, deadline, price and hours. With all four tied, the job stays where you put it.

The hitch

Four turns. Skip one and the line starts to slip.

Scope says what's included and what isn't. Deadline says when, in a date and time you can actually meet around your job. Price says how much and when it's paid. Hours says when you answer messages.

Most side-work trouble comes from one loose turn: an extra round of changes nobody priced, a deadline that lands on a work trip, a client who expects replies at lunch. Tying all four in writing takes ten minutes.

Knot table

Which turn tends to slip, by kind of side work.

Different work loosens in different places. We leave pay out on purpose: rates vary too much by country and platform to print honestly.

Five kinds of side work and the term most likely to slip
WorkTurn that slipsHow it showsTie it with
Editing or proofreadingScope"One more quick pass"A fixed number of rounds
Design for small clientsScopeNew formats after approvalA list of deliverables
TranslationDeadlineFiles arrive late, due date staysDeadline counted from receipt
TutoringPriceLate cancellationsA cancellation rule
Social media helpHoursMessages at any timeAgreed reply windows

Weather warnings

What can pull a boat off its mooring.

  • FEES

    The rate isn't what arrives.

    Platforms and payment services keep a share. Read the fee page before you start.

  • TAX

    Small amounts still count.

    Side income is usually taxable. Keep a plain record from the first payment and check your tax authority's rules.

  • FATIGUE

    Late nights add up.

    Side work that eats into sleep comes back as mistakes at the day job. Protect your rest first.

  • CONTRACT

    Your employer may have a say.

    Some employment contracts limit outside or competing work. Read yours and ask HR about anything unclear.

  • FRAUD

    Offers that cost you to start.

    Anyone asking for a fee, a kit purchase or help moving money isn't offering work. Walk away and report it.

Harbour office

Write to us.

Corrections, questions and suggestions go to support@cleatbook.online. A person reads every message and replies within a few working days.

Cleat Book is educational. It isn't financial, tax or legal advice and doesn't promise any result. Read the disclaimer.

Longer notes