3 “Bad Client” Red Flags That Might Save Your Ass as a Freelancer
How to keep your cheeks about you when dealing with clients
My fellow Freelancer, I know it’s hard out here.
You’re responsible for your next paycheck—scratch that— next meal.
This relentless self-reliance can lead to some poor client decisions.
You may not want to take on that client, but dammit, rent is due!
Don’t worry. It’s not your fault!
It’s the nature of the beast. We’re all out here chasing the next client, gig, and check. We’re all trying to survive, and the occasional bad client won’t kill you.
But a word of caution is warranted…
Here’s 3 red flags to watch out for when seeking clients to work with.
They want to see “similar work”
Before working with a client, you’ve had a few back-and-forths…
Usually you’ve spoken or chatted online. Then they’ve either seen a custom sample or your portfolio. Then you have a discussion about the job.
But now they need something else…
They want to see prior successful gigs exactly like theirs.
There are only two reasons a client would request this:
- They’re trying to run off with your work, edit it, and use it for free.
- They want to see how many hoops you’ll jump through.
This tells them how easy is it to manipulate you.
That’s your cue to walk out the door. Drop them. Leave.
Why? Three reasons…
- You don’t need this shit
You’re better than this. You don’t need to prove your worth to anyone if they can’t see it themselves. They saw something you made. You had one or more chats. If they’re too blind to see that you’re a kick-ass freelancer, they wouldn’t be able to recognize good work if you hit them in the face with it. - They don’t respect you or your work
They aren’t interested in working with you. They’re interested in getting the most product for their money, which means they won’t be looking for something good, they’ll…