Turning Down Client Work

The biggest problem with freelancing is, ironically, that you have clients. — You Totally Missed the Mark | Second And Park

Here’s a great post by Tiffany Jones on learning to effectively manage client relationships.  Clients, as we know can be, well, crazy.  It’s about learning to manage this personalities and projects calmly and positively.  It’s our responsibility to make it work.  That’s the gist, of the post, and I agree.

But sometimes it just won’t work

We’ve all had nightmare clients who don’t pay, stretch project scopes, make insane requests…

The key is to detect these problem clients before you sign the contract.  Maybe they’re poor communicators, or display nasty attitudes during initial meetings or phone calls.  These are clear signs that you’re heading towards another addition to your “clients from hell” bin.

The ability to sniff out these warning signs will only come with experience.  At first, you’ll want to jump on any work that comes your way, due to the all consuming fear of not having work tomorrow.  But as time goes on, if you prove to be reliable, your business will find it’s own, organic success.

That’s when you need to take a step back and become more selective with the work you take on.  Do great work and work with great clients.  That’s finding enjoyment in a freelance career – past the first 3 month honeymoon period.