8 Signs You’ve Got A Client From Hell 😈
So, what do “clients from hell” actually look like?
Clients from hell rarely have a tail, horns, and the faint scent of brimstone, but there are ways you can spot a difficult one before you sign on the dotted line. Whether you’re a new freelancer or a seasoned one, knowing what signs to look out for, can save you plenty of headaches and heated discussions further down the line. Here are eight warning signs that danger is ahead.
1. They don’t respect your time
Do you have a client who expects you to hit an unrealistic deadline in a short timeframe? How about the ones who don’t seem to understand that you aren’t at work 24/7? Clients who don’t respect your boundaries are exhausting.
Do you have a client who constantly misses meetings or cancels at the last minute? Are they ever rude to you or to someone in the team? While it’s perfectly understandable to change plans now and then, frequent rescheduling shows a lack of respect for your valuable time.
What you should do:
You fire them. Seriously, a client that’s not committed to working with you isn’t a client worth having. It goes without saying, that it’s your role as the freelancer to set those expectations with them before you engage in the project, but if they’re consistently overstepping boundaries, causing disruption in your schedule, and not following through on their side of the bargain, then it’s time to let them go and find someone who values your time.
2. They insult you & your skills
“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” is an early warning sign that your expertise isn’t respected. Clients who don’t treat you with the respect that you deserve will always act like working with them should be a privilege for you. The best relationships are when you work with a client, not for them. Collaboration works in tandem with aligned outcomes, this is only possible when you’re seen as an equal.
What you should do:
If you’re not respected, this is another situation that you’d want to avoid. Instead, you want to find higher-quality clients that treat you as an expert or an equal.
3. They give zero direction & have endless revisions
Although you may be brought on to develop ideas, that doesn’t mean that your client doesn’t have to chime in regarding some sort of template or framework for the final deliverable they’re looking for. If they insist that you move forward regardless, you’re looking at a long road ahead of endless revisions.
They should have a goal in mind and a relatively clear idea of what they’re after and what they expect you to deliver. If not, be prepared for the project to overrun and live in a perpetual cycle of naming your files, nightmare_project_final.mov, nightmare_project_final_ultimate_master.mov, nightmare_project_final_ultimate_master_version_23.mov….you get the idea.
What you should do:
Before starting on any new project, define the total number of revisions in the contract. If you still think that you may be in the process of signing a client from hell, make sure to get paid upfront or define your overtime/additional rate for any further amends. You can solve this problem by using a lean process (Learn to create your lean work process here) and explain your process before signing the contract. If they agree with you then go with them otherwise don’t sign these kinds of clients.
4. They expect you to always be on-call
We’ve all heard stories about the nightmare client who calls at 8 pm with a new script idea, changing the entire course of the video. Then, there’s also the poor planner who expects you to save them with last-minute work, week after week. Besides immediate responses, they also expect an immediate delivery.
What you should do:
Avoid this potential issue by defining turnaround times and the impact it will have on the final deadline. Also that there will be a potential increase in the cost of extra time needed, to deliver their new idea in a shorter time frame. Stress the impact it will have on you to jump make drastic changes happen within a short turnaround time, especially if it would bleed into your personal life. Establishing boundaries is important for achieving an ideal work-life balance.
5. They want everything for nothing
There’s nothing wrong with negotiating. Everyone including a good client wants to get the best deal possible. However, if a client is overly pushy about prices from the start, this is a red flag. These clients will probably grumble with every invoice, ask for extra work outside your initial agreement, and will never understand the value of professional work.
What you should do:
Debating every invoice and quote will suck up too much time and emotional energy. As long as your pricing is in line with the value that you bring and you perform great work, don’t worry about losing a client or two that finds your services too costly. Remember that low-quality clients tend to lead to more low-quality projects. It’s hard to grow your business when dealing with clients who aren’t willing to invest in themselves.
6. They don’t listen to you
If you’ve got some skin in the game, you’re bound to run into clients who don’t follow your advice, are resistant to change, or simply think they know better (even though they hired you for your expertise in the first place). Perhaps they edit and revise your work beyond recognition. Or, they don’t listen to your advice in the first place and then expect you to fix everything when things go wrong.
What you should do:
Dealing with a client who continually refuses to listen to you can be a bad experience that creates more stress than it’s worth. These clients may pay well, but there’s little job satisfaction as it’s nearly impossible for you to be proud of a finished project that goes against your advice and expertise. If you find yourself stuck in this situation, respectfully voice your opinion, complete the work to the client’s liking, and then be smart enough to move on.
7. 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.
What you should do:
If it’s not your first project then it’s time to move on and find another client.
If it’s your first project and you don’t have any portfolio yet then take the project on, in return for a testimonial.
8. 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 repeatedly miss your due date and need to be reminded repeatedly whenever a payment is due.
What you should do:
Unless you trust the client, it is a good idea to get 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. I’d recommend that you also include payment terms in your invoice that are relevant to the laws of the country you’re freelancing in. Learn more about profitable pricing here.
Final thoughts
Unfortunately, as much as we try to avoid dealing with such horrific clients, you may need to fire a client — this is one of the benefits of freelancing vs full-time. When this time comes, be direct and try to maintain cordial relations. Use this as a learning opportunity and focus on attracting your dream clients.
Hope this helps. 💖
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