Jul 13, 2015 by jgordon@unitedmediaguild.org
Writing for the Freelancers Union website, Kate Hamill reviewed the five biggest pet peeves freelancers had with their clients.
Her list will not surprise you:
CLIENTS RENEGING
What? You don’t want that piece after all? Freelancers hate to hear that once they have begun work on a project and budgeted the anticipated payment into their income.
“When clients make promises and break them – even if unintentionally – they create big headaches for freelancers,” Hamill wrote. “Every freelancer has a story of frantically struggling last-minute to plug a budgetary hole caused by a flakey client, or quitting one freelance gig to make room for a new job… that never materialized
CLIENTS PAYING LATE
This is self-explanatory — and something every freelancer has experienced.
“Nothing irritates us more than waiting for a check that comes belatedly… or worse, never comes at all!” Hamill wrote. “At best, it’s frustratingly disorganized and absent-minded on the client’s part; at worst, it’s disrespectful – or even criminal, in the case of complete non-payment.”
CLIENTS DISAPPEARING
Worse than the late-paying client is the one that goes off the grid altogether.
“Almost every freelancer I talked to expressed frustration about clients who suddenly drop off the face of the map, or who don’t have their organizational ducks in a row – creating chaos and delays not only for the freelancer, but for themselves,” Hamill wrote.
CLIENTS SEEKING BARGAINS
Freelancers need to set their rates and stick to them. If that means you don’t get certain clients, so be it.
“You wouldn’t go into a restaurant and try to order from the non-existent ‘secret discount menu’ (at least, I hope you would not); don’t insult freelancers by instantly trying to whittle down our prices,” Hamill wrote.
CLIENTS BEING VAGUE
It can take a freelancer some time to get on the same page with the client. That waste of time can be eliminated with clearer communication from the client.
“Freelancers aren’t mind-readers; it’s frustrating to get feedback that poses more problems, without giving us a path to solutions,” Hamill wrote. “If you hire a freelancer, try to be as specific as possible in your constructive comments – what exactly don’t you like, why don’t you like it, and what direction do you want to head in? Freelancers want to make their clients happy; help us help you!”
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