This ebook helps you through the whole job search process; with advice on understanding your skills and values, writing a CV / covering letter, networking, preparing for interviews, and salary negotiations.
Avoiding cheap clients
From the 14-year-old budding games developer operating out of his bedroom to monolithic public institutions, “cheap” clients who want a top-class service at rock-bottom rates aren’t good news for a freelancer. On the one hand, you don’t want to turn down work in a difficult economy – particularly if you’ve only just started your business and want to build up a portfolio of projects and network of clients. On the other, you probably can’t afford to work for clients who are only driven by cost.
I’m not talking about clients who have unrealistic expectations about project times and complexity. You can often put them right on these, and by so doing, build a useful dialogue. But cheap clients are only motivated by cost. So if you’ve already given your “best price” you can only negotiate this downwards, as there’s nothing else to shave off in terms of extras or quicker delivery times.
Here are some warning signs that a cheap client is going to try to drive down the cost:
- they tell you they can get the service cheaper elsewhere
- they approach you out of the blue asking for your best price
- they say they’ve got bigger projects in the future
- they lie about making payments or bounce cheques
- they challenge you on every cost – even small
- they offer you equity instead of payment
The best advice for dealing with a cheap client: don’t accept the work. You might think that the project will be quick and easy, but it rarely turns out that way. Cheap clients want a lot in terms of work or hours, but at such low cost that the project is no longer cost-efficient. You’re better off looking for a client who will pay you your true worth.
Photo credit: Esdras Calderan
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