Client red flags: 23 warnings to look out for as a copywriter
[job-searching] There are some clients out there who aren’t worth your time
You're working on your latest copywriting project… and suddenly your client starts asking for things that are outside the scope of what you quoted them for.
Or they start asking for things that make you uncomfortable.
Or they start asking for things that make it clear they don't care about your health, your business or well-being. Sometimes they even do things that are bad for themselves and their own business.
When you're starting out, it can be hard to tell the difference between a good client and a bad one. (Reminds me of The Wizard of Oz — “Are you a good witch, or bad witch?”)
I’m not feeling well, so today’s post is just focuses on a consolidated list of client red flags to look out for.
You know the phrase from G.I. Joe “knowing is half-the battle”?
Take your time learning the signs, first.
You need to end things and move on from things that don’t allow you to live your life and make decent money.
Here’s the list of things to look out for:
Won’t make the time to go over your introduction/SOPs.
They ask to re-do the entire messaging after delivery.
Pushy, not patient, not following your boundaries.
Mailing a check.
“You don’t need a contract.”
Working for free for “exposure.”
Asking to make a product “sexy.”
Asking you to do extra stuff.
Doesn’t have credible banking info.
Unpaid test or sample work.
It’ll be a quick job (you control how long the deliverable takes for the most part—unless an agreeable date is set.)
“We’ll know what we want when we see it.”
“I had a few copywriters who couldn’t do the thing.”
Not paying you for any extra meetings.
Raising their voice.
Immediately asking for your phone number.
Crap talking about previous freelancers.
Any abnormal urgency that feels off to you.
Blows up your inbox with a bunch of emails after signing on work.
Asks for a deal on your pricing.
If you have to interact with them and you feel disappointed, stressed, or “down”.
This post was brought to you by…
A very real and crappy email from a potential job that I reached out to…
(Then said no to.)
For more context, he wanted me to meet at his house (local client), and spend my time doing some unpaid work. Lol.
I asked if he would instead like to meet up for lunch to discuss things.
^ That was his response.
This side work would have paid $4k/month before taxes. It would have easily paid off my credit card debt in a month.
But remember, your objective is to make easy money. Think easier jobs. Easier clients to work with. Don’t be tempted by a quick gain that won’t work out, anyway.
If you’re helping someone else build their castle, you need to paid and respected appropriately. Because work like this subtracts from your time to build YOUR castle.