Being a freelancer comes with a lot of perks. You may choose your own schedule, work from any location, and be your own boss. But it also comes with its fair share of challenges, the biggest of which is finding reliable, high-paying clients.
Unfortunately, not all clients are created equal. Some clients can be downright nightmarish. We’ve developed a list of the four sorts of clients any freelancer should avoid to save you the headache (and heartache) of dealing with tough clients. Trust us; your business (and your sanity) will thank you for it.
1. The Time Waster
We’ve all been there—you finally land that big client you’ve been chasing for months, and you’re excited to start the project. But then, for some reason or another, the project gets delayed…and delayed, and delayed some more. Suddenly, what was supposed to be a simple and uncomplicated project became a never-ending hassle. If a client constantly puts off the start date or projects on hold, chances are they’re not worth your time.
This client will want to meet with you, ask a million questions, and then never actually give you the green light to start work. They’ll string you along for weeks or even months; in the end, you’ll have nothing to show for it. Not only is this a huge waste of your time, but it can also be emotionally draining.
There are many reasons why freelancers should not work with time-wasters. For one, time-wasters are often unprofessional and unreliable. They may make promises they cannot keep or take on more work than they can handle. As a result, working with a time-waster can be frustrating and stressful. In addition, time-wasters can also be costly. They may take longer to complete a project than expected, or they may not be able to deliver the quality of work that was promised. Ultimately, working with a time-waster will likely cause more problems than it is worth. Freelancers should therefore avoid working with time-wasters whenever possible.
2. The Know-It-All
Especially when it comes to our jobs, no one likes being told every minute what to do. After all, we’re professionals and know what we’re doing. But some clients take this a step too far by thinking they know everything there is to know about our field—even if they have zero experience in it themselves. If a client is constantly second-guessing your judgment or trying to micromanage every aspect of the project, it’s time to move on.
There are many reasons why freelancers should avoid working with the know-it-all. For one, the know-it-all is often very difficult to please. They tend to be highly critical and have a low tolerance for error. As a result, they can be very demanding and challenging to work with. Additionally, the know-it-all is often resistant to new ideas and innovative thinking. They favor sticking with the status quo and are often unwilling to try new things. This can make it difficult for freelancers to showcase their skills and creativity. Finally, the know-it-all is often quite unorganized and disorganized. The freelancer may become frustrated and confused as a result of this. These are the reasons why freelancers should avoid working with the know-it-all.
3. The Non-Communicator
Communication is key in any relationship—professional or personal—but it’s especially important when working with clients. How can you complete a project to their satisfaction if you don’t even know what their vision is? The project will suffer if a client is unresponsive or difficult to get in touch with. Avoid dealing with these clients right away for the sake of yourself and your sanity.
Non-communicators make terrible clients for freelancers. First and foremost, communication is essential to the success of any project. Without effective communication, conveying instructions, providing feedback, and resolving problems are difficult. Secondly, the freelancer-client relationship is built on trust. When communication breaks down, it can be challenging to rebuild that trust. Finally, poor communication can lead to misunderstandings and disagreements, quickly escalating into conflict. In short, working with a non-communicator will likely cause more problems than it is worth. If you are a freelancer, avoiding clients who are unable or unwilling to communicate clearly is preferable.
4. The Late Payer
Another type of client to avoid is the one who doesn’t pay on time – or worse, doesn’t pay at all. These clients will take advantage of your situation as a freelancer and will often try to get away with paying you less than what you’re owed. In some cases, they may not pay you at all. This can cause serious financial stress and make it difficult for you to continue working as a freelancer.
Fast payments are essential for freelancers. We rely on timely payments to keep our businesses running and to pay our own bills. Unfortunately, some clients routinely pay late, which can cause financial hardship for freelancers. There are a few reasons why working with late payers is not a good idea:
- It can jeopardize your relationship with other clients. If you’re constantly chasing down late payments, you’ll have less time to devote to your other clients, which could damage those relationships.
- Late payments may affect your credit score. This can make it difficult to obtain loans or lines of credit.
- Working with late payers can be frustrating and stressful.
If you’re worried about getting paid all the time, it will affect your mental health. For these reasons, it’s best to avoid working with clients who don’t pay on time.
No one said being a freelancer was easy—but it should at least be enjoyable! Working with great clients who respect your time and expertise is part of that enjoyment. Unfortunately, not all clients fit that bill. To avoid the pain (and heartbreak) of working with tough clients, steer clear of these three types: the time waster, the know-it-all, and the non-communicator. Your business (and your sanity) will appreciate it!