Top Client Red Flags That’ll Make a Freelancer Want to Run for the Hills

There are all kinds of clients (and prospective clients!) in the freelance world. Some are fantastic. Others? Not so much.

Yet there are things you can look for to protect yourself from trouble down the road. Things such as:

• They won't sign your estimate or contract ... or pay a deposit.
  Some instances are legit. Most are not. If they want to use their contract instead of yours, it may very well be okay. Read through it with a fine-tooth comb. If anything seems one-sided, ask for negotiations. Keep your eyes peeled. No contract at all? No dice. If they won’t abide by your industry-standard policies by signing the appropriate paperwork and paying a deposit, trust your gut. And walk away if something seems fishy.

• They won't pay you until they get paid by their client.
  You are not a financial-lending institution. Do not allow them to treat you as such. What if it takes them six months to get paid? You’re supposed to wait seven? What if they never get paid?? That's not a risk you ought to take. Nor is it your problem. Their client didn’t hire you, they did.

• They don’t pay on time.
  This one ought to be a no-brainer. Good clients value their business partners. And treat them with respect. That means they adhere to your payment terms, paying on or before the due date. You shouldn’t need to send reminders when your invoice is past due. If you do, be sure to tack on a late fee!

• They've used other freelancers before ... or the last one didn't work out.
  Again, could be legit. Ask questions. And listen for clues. Why didn't it work out? Why didn't they go back to them? Perhaps it wasn't the freelancer who was the problem.

• They've used cheap online marketplaces or contests before.
  Sites and practices like these totally devalue the profession. Has anything changed since using those, like their budget or respect for quality work?

• They compare you to other freelancers.
  “Why should we pay your rate when we can get the ‘same thing’ for much cheaper?” More often than not, it’s not the same thing. Like if they’re comparing apples to oranges: a senior-level freelancer to someone right out of school.

• They demand an hourly rate when you offer a project estimate.
  They’re looking to pay you for your time, and time only … not the quality of your work, the experience you hold, the value you bring, or the results you may achieve.

• They want you to be at their beck and call 24/7.
  Just because you work for yourself or work from home doesn't mean you’re available outside of normal working hours. If they ask for (or demand!) this, and you agree to it, be sure to charge a rush or PITA fee.

• They show a lack of respect.
  This could appear in a variety of ways: belittling, laughing at you, demanding, micromanaging, rude behavior, cussing, demeaning, controlling, etc. If they don’t respect you, it’s not going to end well. And you’ll just feel icky about it all the way around. Take control of the situation, maintain professionalism, and cut your losses before it’s too late.

• They say the project ought to be quick and/or easy.
  Are they going off time only and not the value you bring to the table or the results you may garner? This diminishes your services and often comes with a desire for the cheapest price. More often than not, they don’t even realize the amount of time it actually takes to do what it is they’re wanting.

• They ask you to discount your rate for guaranteed work.
  “We promise 30 hours of work a week for the next 3 weeks if you give us a 30% discount.” Right … I’d like to sell you a bridge, too. Oftentimes, it’s someone (read: a brand-new client) looking for a discounted deal who doesn’t actually have the guaranteed work they promise.

• They want you to work on spec, for exposure, or for a pro-bono portfolio-building piece ... or want you to chalk it up to a learning experience.
  Freelance isn't free. Hard stop. There’s VALUE to what you do. And you deserve to be paid accordingly. If they aren’t sure they’ll like your work, guide them to your portfolio samples so they can get a taste of your style.

• They needed something done yesterday.
  Fires happen. We get it. Though, are they willing to pay rush fees? Remember the old adage: "A lack of preparation on your behalf does not constitute an emergency on mine." If it’s a brand-new client, proceed with caution.

• They don’t know what they need or where to start.
  Okay, that’s fair. Yet if they’re not willing to participate in the system you have set up to address this very thing (questionnaire, survey, etc.) and just want you to get started, that doesn’t help … at all.

Unfortunately—or maybe fortunately!—there are so many red flags. Trust your gut. And know it’s totally okay to walk (or run!) away.