Comments on: Freelancers: Do Clients Suck?

By: Ray Edwards

Ray Edwards — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 19:06:00 +0000

Yes, having good boundaries is a must. Thanks for stopping by!

By: Quillforhire

Quillforhire — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 17:45:00 +0000

It’s much easier to work in this field when you are willing to stick up for yourself! Sure you might lose the occasional client and paycheck, but the fact is that one of the biggest perks of freelancing is that you can demand respect and decent behavior and Get It! No dealing with an abusive or difficult boss (unless you’re mean to yourself, lol) because it’s your only source of income. But a lot of people think that they have to put up with crap from clients and they really don’t. We are necessary to businesses and that entails a certain amount of respect.

My clients don’t suck; they can be a bit flaky, I might argue with them on occasion (and win!), but that’s just people (and everyone has a bad day) I got rid of my sucky clients.

Thank you for your awesome post; I think all freelancers starting out should read it!

By: Ray Edwards

Ray Edwards — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:14:39 +0000

Good thoughts Kevin – and thanks for noticing that I've been spending a bit more time on the blog lately. I appreciate… being appreciated.

By: Ray Edwards

Ray Edwards — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:13:43 +0000

As long as “stretch” doesn't mean “accept clients that are a poor match” – I'd say that's fine.

Of course, sometimes clients become a “better match” when we simply change our attitude, yes?

By: WWD Weekend Reading List

WWD Weekend Reading List — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:01:32 +0000

[...] Ray Edwards: “Freelancers: Do Clients Suck?” [...]

By: Copywriter_Kevin_Francis

Copywriter_Kevin_Francis — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 04:21:54 +0000

Ray,

Excellent post and one that is helpful for both freelancers just starting out and those of us with a little more experience.

Genius though Gary Halbert was, that comment of his has never sat well with me. After all, we're in a service business and if you adopt that attitude it's likely to become a self fulfilling prophecy. The ideal situation, I'd suggest, is a partnership with the client, where everyone is aligned with the same interests.

Appreciate that it's hard for a lot of people when they are just starting out and anxious where the next dollar is going to come from. But your comments will get people started in the right way and save a lot of heartache.

One suggestion. Most of my clients are people that I've met personally, usually at a seminar or other live event and my experience has been that the relationship goes a lot smoother when you've actually had the chance to sit down face to face. Having said that, one of my best clients is someone I've never met and they are a real pleasure to work with.

Final point, good relationships don't just happen and they need some work to maintain them and strengthen them.

Thanks again for a great post (and hey, you've been blogging up a storm lately!...notice I missed a whole heap of posts over the holiday period).

By: Bob Scheier

Bob Scheier — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:17:35 +0000

Great comments, and great advice. Question: Should you allow a down economy to stretch the description of who is a good match? And if so, in what areas should you stretch? There in lies the rub. But thanks again for reminders to help us run sound businesses.