The biggest freelance client red flags đźš©
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years as a freelancer, it’s that red flags happen. It’s not about avoiding them–you can’t. Instead, it’s about noticing them and seeing what you can do about them.
It’s also worth noting: red flags are context-dependent.
They don’t mean you should never work with someone.
But you have to pay attention to them.
It’s less about an absolute rule of “if they do this, run” (though, that’s usually my advice). Instead, it’s “note this is not good, see if you can mitigate, and if you can’t, run.”
đźš©Pushy on prices
Think about it this way: your work is the vehicle that drives a client from their problem to your solution.
Money is fuel.
Naturally, people want the best deal. So you may face some questions or negotiations. That’s fine. What’s not fine is when they push you constantly to always lower the price (when everything is about money).
When this happens, it means the conversation has shifted to money versus the outcomes the client needs. If that happens, recentre on outcomes and explain the price you quote is what will allow you to focus on delivering for them. However, you can always adjust the scope if the price is a concern.
đźš©Too focused on tiny details
In the regular world, people hire professionals to execute on projects so they don’t have to focus on tiny details.
This isn’t quite the same as expecting quality. Instead, this is when you’re in micro-manage territory.
If you’ve got a client like this, bring them up a level: ask them to explain how the project fits into bigger outcomes so you can ensure you’re executing correctly both in the everyday work but also the overall project needs.
🚩Can’t or won’t share project outcomes
This happens to all of us as freelancers. The sales process is exciting. The person is ready. They want to hit the ground running. You, expecting their excitement to continue, say absolutely. They agree to your rates and you send the contract. Amazing!
Then you start work and realize… no one told you exactly what you’d be doing.
So you ask, but suddenly the client isn’t as excited or responsive. It’s like pulling teeth to get them to answer an email or book a call. And when they do get back to you, the answers are non-committal.
If you’re in this spot, use what I call the “confirm or correct” methodology. Say your understanding of the problem (or outcome), then literally ask them to either confirm that you have the right understanding OR correct you and explain more.
🚩When someone doesn’t hold up THEIR end of the bargain
Freelancing is a team sport. You can’t do your work unless your client does their bit. And if they aren’t it’s infuriating.
If the client isn’t delivering their end of the bargain, you can’t deliver yours. That’s a big red flag (and revenue risk).
The only thing you can do here is to remind them. However, my tip for all reminders is single-issue reminders. Don’t send a long email with bullet points. Send a single email with the real ask in the subject line.
Example:
Subject line: Reminder: Please do X
Copy:
Hi [Client name],
Sending a quick reminder–could you please do X when you get a moment? It will enable me to do Y.
Thanks,
[Your name}
🚩Won’t share company goals
Freelancing is execution-focused, but almost always in support of some larger goal. Even high-level freelancers who provide strategic advice are doing it in support of a bigger goal (making or saving money).
So it’s a major, project-cancelling red flag if the client can’t–or won’t–tell you the company’s bigger goals.
If they can’t, you’re headed for a dead-end project that will probably require a lot of extra work, handholding, or coaching. If they won’t tell you, that’s an indication your client doesn’t trust you. And if they don’t trust you, the project will go nowhere and chances are they may even demand a discount or refund for “low-quality work.” Of course, the low quality will be their fault, but they’ll still blame it on you.
đźš©Unresponsive
If your client is unresponsive at the start, you can’t do your work.
If they become unresponsive, you risk needing to stop working lest you do a lot and they claim they never asked you to.
If they are unresponsive to invoices, you don’t get paid.
All of these are big red flags.
When I’ve had this happen to me in the past, I’ve stopped work altogether and emailed the client saying as much (“Hi Client, I’ve unfortunately had to stop work since I haven’t heard from you. If you’d like me to pick things back up, please respond with XYZ”).
It sucks, but there isn’t much of a way around this one.
đźš©If client blames you for things
Part of being a freelancer is owning–and correcting–your mistakes. Nobody is perfect, and that’s fine. It’s how you handle the mistake and fix it that counts. And a good client knows that.
Of course, they have a right to expect that you deliver what you agreed upon, so you can’t get mad if a client does that. However, there’s a difference between a client that expects you to deliver and a client that blames you for everything.
If this happens to you, document everything. When you complete a piece of work, write a note about it. When you get negative feedback, ask specifically for corrections. If you have a phone call or voice note conversation, document the key takeaways on email.
Documentation will not only help you defend yourself (politely, of course!) but it will also help should the client try to use this blame-game as an excuse to not pay you.
In short, keep receipts.
đźš©If your client gets personal
You are an equal partner to your client, not a punching bag.
Everyone has bad days, but you don’t deserve to be personally attacked or abused in any way, shape, or form.
To be honest, how you deal with this one is up to you. I won’t tell you how much to take or not.
What I’ve done in the past is that everybody gets one. You had a bad day? Fine, we all do. But if it happens again, I’m going to bring it up with a clear indication it needs to stop. Happens again? Goodbye.
