When it comes to choosing the right freelance clients, it's a lot like finding a relationship. For example, countless potential clients can look perfect from the outside, with everything looking great at the beginning. However, it can feel like something is off as you begin to work together.
Whether it is having to do an endless amount of free trials, a serious case of scope creep, being unnecessarily rude, or not paying on time, there are plenty of red flags that you should know. Here are some ways to spot good freelance clients today.
1. No Unpaid Trials
In the freelancing world, trials are common, and for good reason. However, one of the biggest red flags for potential clients is when they specifically request an unpaid trial.
With a trial, both the freelancer and potential client can test if a workflow or engagement process works for them before making a commitment in terms of rates, output, or time.
Often, this is after a client has evaluated your existing portfolio, but would like to see your work ethic, ability to follow instructions, and other qualities they look for before hiring freelancers.
With this, your proven ability to work and perform your tasks becomes the critical factor for being chosen as their freelancer and for how many projects they want to have with you on board.
In general, trials are a fair and normal part of the application process, especially for larger and more established clients. In fact, this is typically a response to having negative experiences with other freelancers who they have worked with and who have performed poorly in the past.
However, unpaid trials are a different story. Unless you have no work to show for your skills, there are very few reasons why you should agree to do an unpaid trial.
Typically, unpaid trials that entail a lot of time and effort are frequently a ruse that sketchy companies use to get free work from unsuspecting freelancers.
2. Respecting Rates
With millions of freelancers all over the world, pricing is frequently a major differentiator among them. There are several factors that affect every freelancer's pricing models, such as educational background, years of experience, or portfolio strength.
Aside from covering their costs of living, training, and business expenses, freelancers also invest in software, equipment, or various subscriptions to perform their work. For this reason, a freelancer will set rates that they believe are fair for the value that they provide.
While many freelancers usually leave buffers during the negotiation process, potential clients who lowball their offers are typically a sign of a pricing mismatch.
It's important to understand that there will always be freelancers who have lower or higher prices than you, so finding a client that respects your rates is a sign that they're for keeps.
However, before deeming a potential client's offer as a lowball right away, it is critical to discuss the scope and the overall contract. In some cases, the rate may be lower than your usual because it will entail significantly less work, such as fewer revisions or no product lockouts.
On the other hand, it is still possible to have issues with good clients, some of which can be unavoidable. Sometimes, this is due to changes in management, restrictions with a budget, or simply not being able to afford your new rates as your career progresses.
3. Fair Contract Terms
One quick way to spot a good potential client is if they have clear and fair contract terms. With the right terms, both you and the client can have a clearer idea of your expectations of each other, such as the type of output you are expected to produce and at what rate.
For example, the overall scope, the procedure for payment, methods of communication, special benefits, and terms for termination. There should also be clauses on how to exit an engagement, how soon you should notify the other party, product lock-outs, and defined non-compete clauses (if applicable).
For some types of freelancing such as acting, modeling, or voice-overs, rates are also based on the usage of their image, likeness, or sound. For example, some factors that affect pricing include whether the output is for internal company usage, commercial use, local or international release, and so on.
With this, a good client will insist on a contract that protects them and you from doing more than what was agreed on.
4. Professional Boundaries
While it is not necessary for you to be close to your clients in a personal way, it matters that potential clients can engage with you in a professional and respectful manner. When it comes to working as a freelancer, possibly remotely and even across timezones, boundaries matter a lot.
Depending on what kind of work you do as a freelancer, there are varying types of urgency. For this reason, it can be a stressful experience to work with clients who don't respect your working hours, your turnover times, or you, in general.
For example, they avoid contacting you on public holidays or rushing your process beyond the agreed-upon timelines (unless absolutely necessary).
Lastly, good clients do not engage in any indecent behavior that makes you uncomfortable, such as messaging you on your personal accounts, making derogatory statements about you that are unrelated to your work, or harassing you in any way or form.
Find the Right Clients for You
While the perfect client doesn't exist, there are great ones out there that can afford your rates, respect you as a person, and value your work. Although finding the right clients may be a challenge, it's well worth the effort.
Finding the right clients are only one part of the equation. As a freelancer, it is always important to be on the lookout for new opportunities. In addition, you should also work to keep your existing clients happy and satisfied.