10 Client Red Flags Every Freelancer Should Be Aware Of

We all have clients who aren't a good fit. Here are some red flags to watch for when working with new clients.

Tell us if this sounds familiar to you: your client doesn't know what they want, but they want it now, they want it cheap, and they want it high quality. Relatable? Yeah, been there, seen that. As great as freelancing is for all sorts of reasons, it also tends to be more challenging.

You might be looking forward to being your own boss, working flexible hours, and creating a custom schedule that's right for you. However, those benefits are conditional on whether you can build good client-freelancer relationships. Let's see the 10 biggest client red flags to avoid.

1. They Ask for Free Samples

This is one of the most common client red flags for freelancers. You may think that a free sample is justified—and sometimes it is—because the client needs to know your level of expertise and skill. But if you already have a relevant portfolio, a free sample is unnecessary.

Your portfolio is already an indicator of your competence and successful work with other clients. If they still insist on a free sample, it's likely that they are going to use, sell, or modify your work without your consent and without paying you. Remember, a sample is only a hint of your service, not the full service.

2. They Expect Constant Availability

People choose to freelance over employment because they want to work on their own terms. A big part of this is working at the time most comfortable to you, i.e., flexible hours instead of a fixed eight-hour shift.

This way, you can spend more time with your loved ones and do the things you like. A client hiring a freelancer like you must do so with the knowledge that you will not always be available as per their business hours.

Related: Problems You Will Face in Your First Job and How to Solve Them

3. They Compare You to Others

This red flag is downright embarrassing and even sadder once you learn how common it is. Bad clients will compare you to others, often to justify their unreasonable offers and expectations of your prices.

They will say things like “we hired someone last week who did it for less” but won't mention that they might forget to follow the style guide and ruin the whole project. Or, “I can find someone on Upwork who has more experience” but won't mention how they can't afford them.

4. They Expect Unlimited Revisions

As a freelancer, you charge for your services, not your time. This means that every hour you spend on revising old work is wasted, not picking up a new project that can earn you more money.

Of course, some revisions are to be expected, but if your client is expecting unlimited revisions out of you, that's an easy red flag. Be clear about the number of revisions you allow your clients and the extra fee for additional revisions beyond that limit.

5. They Don't Pay on Time

This one is a no-brainer. Good clients will respect the due date in your invoice and pay as promised. While bad clients will instead disrespect your due date and need to be reminded repeatedly whenever a payment is due.

Unless you trust the client, it is a good idea to get a part of the payment upfront before you even start working. This way, you have peace of mind and a sense of security. You can focus more time and energy on the project itself instead of trying to get the client to pay after completing your work.

Related: Offbeat Productivity Tips Every Freelancer Should Use

6. They Give Unreasonable Criticism

Every freelancer knows how important client feedback is, but there is a clear line between good feedback and bad feedback. Good feedback is specific, relevant, result-oriented, professional, and includes helpful suggestions.

Bad feedback is vague, confusing, filled with unreasonable criticism, doesn't include any suggestions, and can even get personal and feel threatening. These clients are a strict no-no as they not only violate professional decorum but are also impossible to work with.

7. They Refuse to Sign a Contract

Signing a contract is often a scary thing for both you and your client. But it is important nonetheless because it ensures that both parties have their interests protected. This helps resolve conflicts in the future and adds clarity to the relationship.

If you are picking up a small project, it's understandable if you don't want to bother with a contract. But for bigger and more complicated projects, it is best to have a written contract signed by both parties. If the client is refusing to do so, you might want to walk away.

8. They Micromanage You

As long as you complete your work on time and according to expectations, a client has no influence on how you spend your time or how you do your work. Unfortunately, a lot of clients tend to micromanage the freelancers they hire.

They're not only limiting your creativity, but they're also wasting your time asking you to follow unnecessary steps. Granted, you need client input, but they don't need to track your every move.

9. They Make Shady Offers

You might be surprised by how creative clients can be when attempting to get your prices lowered. If they can't, they will ask for other benefits alongside your regular service. This may include faster delivery, longer deadlines, or extra revisions.

A common type of business tactic used against freelancers is offering bulk work at a very low price. And since a lot of freelancers are desperate for security, they agree. Only to find out later that the client ghosted them after the first project.

Related: Content Writing Etiquette: Do's and Don'ts

10. They Don't Make Their Expectations Clear

The quality of a service is determined by how accurately it fulfills the expectations of the buyer. But to do so, you first need to know what those expectations are. Clients give vague descriptions of their requirements all the time and expect you to find your way through the fog.

This is foolish because you can't hit your target if you don't even know what it is. It's always a good idea to ask the client to quantify their expectations, so you know precisely what you need to deliver.

Stay Aware of Bad Clients

Starting a freelance career and building it from the ground up is commendable, but it is often much harder than it seems.

From finding good clients to retaining them, there's a lot that goes into the process. Make sure to keep these red flags in mind to stay protected.

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