You might think getting ripped off by a client is something that only happens to newbie freelance bloggers.
You’d be wrong.
I hear from a lot of experienced bloggers who are still having bad experiences with clients, time after time. Why does this keep happening?
Often, it keeps happening because you keep trusting in people you have absolutely no reason to trust. Sometimes you just don’t spot the warning signs. Sometimes you spot them, but you keep going anyway because you don’t really know what else to do.
I’ve been played by bad clients a couple of times. I know how it feels when you’re halfway through a project and you get that sudden feeling of impending doom. Your gut tells you to run for the hills, but you’re too busy worrying about your money and your reputation to act on that instinct.
And so, you get fooled again.
Learn these lessons now, and you won’t have to suffer the same thing later:
Lesson #1: History repeats itself
A client who treats one freelancer or employee badly is likely to give everyone (or at least, everyone they feel they’re in charge of) the same lack of respect, so investigate before you accept a gig.
Check with other freelancers to see if they can tell you anything about your potential client.Β This is where your networks come in handy – tap a members’ club like the Freelance Writers Den (aff. link) for information, or ask a freelance blogging group on LinkedIn or Facebook.
Look the company up online and check out their consumer reviews, too; bad customer care is a warning sign that they probably don’t care about the people they work with either. If word of mouth is bad, don’t waste your time — move on to brighter prospects.
Lesson #2: History doesn’t always repeat itself
A client who paid you last month won’t necessarily keep paying this month. Any business can hit a bump, and if things are getting tight then a freelance blogger’s paycheck is low on their list of priorities.
Protect your income with advance payments in full (or partial deposits) whenever you can. Even a 50% deposit doesn’t mean you’ll get the other 50% at the end of the job, so make sure you’ve got a written agreement with your client about how and when you’ll get your final payment.
Likewise, the projects you have now may not even exist next month. Clients can change tactics, stop blogging, or start publishing posts written by their new marketing intern. Blogs can go under in the blink of an eye. If that happens, you don’t want to be left waiting on a payment that never comes, so be wary of a client who keeps you in the dark about how their business is doing.
Lesson #3: No free lunch
After seeing a million requests for free trials in job ads across the internet, you might think an unpaid, custom-written sample piece is the new industry standard. And yep, I suppose that’s exactly what it is: Free trials are standard for clients who care more about cutting costs than about hiring the best blogger.
A good client believes that your time and your work have value. They don’t expect professionals to spend time writing free trial posts.
If someone asks you for a free trial piece, there’s only one reason to agree: if it’s such a great gig that you’d be happy to do it for free all the time. Otherwise, the best response is to politely tell them your rate for the type of trial piece they want.
This approach also helps you to avoid a dirtier scam: some blogs ask for free trial pieces and expect to publish them without paying the blogger. Often, they don’t even tell you they published your work. Don’t get caught up in this trap — it’s a waste of your time when you could be earning real money with a real client.
Lesson #4: Take a step back
When you’re offered a cool-sounding gig, it’s easy to get overexcited. Yay you! Let’s celebrate!
No. Take a step back and check what you’ve really got:
- Full contact information? If you don’t know your client’s business name, phone number and mailing address, ask for them before you start work. An email address or Skype username isn’t enough if your client suddenly stops answering your messages.
- Project description and scope? If your client hasn’t provided all the details you need to understand the job and get it done, ask for the rest of the information now. Make sure you’ve defined what you will and won’t be doing, as well as deadlines for delivery and for payment, before you take on a project that could grow out of control.
- A good hourly rate equivalent? The thought of a $200 blog post each week is delightful, but what if that blog post is 2000 words long and involves interviewing five different experts for half an hour each? Estimate the amount you expect to make per hour on the project — that’s the number you need to focus on to avoid getting ripped off.
Lesson #5: Take a step up
The higher up the freelance blogging career ladder you climb, the more great clients you find. Once you get close to the top, they’re everywhere!
But the question on your mind is, how do I get there?
Simple: get someone who’s already up there to give you a hand.
Someone like me.
My training program The Freelance Blogger‘s Client Hunting Masterclass teaches you how to find the clients who pay $100 per hour and appreciate your input. In this training I share my best marketing and negotiation tips to help you get the clients you deserve, and give you insider info about where to find the most gigs at the best rates.
Are you ready to take a step up?
Come and join us!
Image: Alan Cleaver
Bree says
Just had this experience today, Sophie, where a potential client told me they couldn’t afford me because they were getting great content from writers who were accepting far less than I was asking. I simply responded and said that I hoped that continued to work for them, but to keep me in mind should they need anyone in the future.
Sophie Lizard says
Smooth move, Bree. Not all clients can tell great content from bland content – sometimes you just have to try not to sound too sarcastic when you say “Good luck with that”!
Aiden Wolfe says
We are in the age of the content mill. As long as it’s readable and original, many clients really couldn’t care less how much depth a piece has.
Luckily, it seems this trend won’t last forever. Google’s Authorship has the potential to give freelancers tremendous amounts of leverage over people willing to whore themselves out for nothing.
Call me optimistic, but I believe the future of our entire industry is very bright.
Robert Farmilo says
Hello!
I started blogging and writing articles for free with the idea in mind to create an “authority” website for a niche market. All part of an overall plan to promote the project I am working on. What has happened is that I am OFTEN getting side-tracked by other opportunities that come my way as I research and learn about how to do all this online marketing stuff.
Sophie Lizard says
Hello Robert, sounds like you’re busy! There’s so much information available about online marketing that you can never learn it all [and some guidelines contradict others], so get a grip on the basics and focus on how you can realistically approach your objectives.
Check out Firepole Marketing for solid marketing tips designed for small businesses – they’re an amazing crew over there.
Jodie says
Thanks for the valuable information.
Sophie Lizard says
You’re welcome!
Leslie Lee Sanders says
How timely is this post! Without getting too personal, I was given an assignment from a very well-known and respectable client. I researched this client and asked writers about their experience working with this person. All rave reviews. However, my client stop answering my emails and practically disappeared, or rather I disappeared from their radar, after I delivered ahead of deadline exactly what I promised. I received no acknowledgement of the contract which was signed (by me at least) and may not even get the contracted kill fee (since the client never acknowledged receiving the contract). I have no idea what to do because this person is very well-known and very respected. I’m completely baffled by the unprofessional treatment and feel like a fool at the same time.
Any thoughts?
Sophie Lizard says
Hmm. Can you email me more information, Leslie? It sounds like something you wouldn’t want to discuss in public until it’s been resolved.
Kristen Hicks says
“The thought of a $200 blog post each week is delightful, but what if that blog post is 2000 words long and involves interviewing five different experts for half an hour each?”
That sounds so much like an assignment I worked on just last week. I’ve often heard from other freelancers that a per project rate is the way to go in most cases, but I’m still iffy on accurately gauging the amount of work and time likely to go into a project. Any tips on improving with that, other than “live and learn”?
Sophie Lizard says
You need to know your REAL “writing speed” for different types of post, and it’s often nowhere near as fast as you think!
I take a couple of hours to draft a straightforward 1000 word post based on simple online research. If it’s a more complex post, I could take 4 hours to write 1000 words.
And if there are live interviews, briefing meetings or content consulting involved, that adds even more hours, so my effective “writing speed” averaged across all those hours might be more like 100 words per hour! That’s why writers who go deep on research aim for $1+ per word.
Williesha Morris says
Hooray! You brought up the “sample” bit. My current blogging client did request a sample, but it didn’t have anything to do with the blog, so I knew it was “safe.” Also, getting a contract out there makes you look professional too! π
Sophie Lizard says
Yep, a good contract helps a lot. And a badly written contract is just a pain in the arse, so if your client approves *your* carefully constructed contract rather than producing their own, you’ve already dodged a potential bullet. π
Victoria @ My Daily Cuppa says
It has been only a couple of days since I started to seriously think about trying to get a freelance writing gig. Surprise Suprise, I get two email enquiries. One seems to be an upscale content mill (do they exist??), the other saying they pay around $25-30 per 800 word article.
It was a rush opening these emails and knowing that there is work out there. Now I just have to find work that fits with my preferred style of writing and pay.
With this sort of gig, would you expect to be paid in advance or still the milestone 50% thing?
Sophie Lizard says
It’s good that you’re getting enquiries already, Victoria! Yep, keep aiming for better clients and higher pay…
With content mills, the payment terms are usually set by the mill, so read the T&Cs carefully to find out how and when you’d be paid.
As for your other potential client, if you’re in direct contact with them then this is the time to practise your negotiation skills: ask for advance payment. $30 is a very small amount, so it shouldn’t be a big issue for them, but if they refuse then ask for a 50% deposit. If they refuse that too, it’s your call – you may still want to work with them for the experience and portfolio clips.
Lori Ferguson says
Hi Sophie,
I’m already a member of the Writers Den and a recent “grad” of Carol and Linda’s fabulous Blast-Off class. I’m planning to roll right into the next course and would love to take you up on your mentoring offer. Am I eligible?….
Thx, too, for a great post. I just interviewed for a potential new blogging gig and the company owner suggested a sample blog, and then said, “Of course I will pay you for that.” I thought “Wow, we’re already off on the right foot.” :-).
Sophie Lizard says
Hi Lori,
If you’re a Den member already then you won’t be “signing up” for the How to Get Great Clients course, so it’s impossible for you to meet the eligibility criteria for *this* free mentoring offer. But all Den members are welcome to trade me a guest post for a free 30 minute mentoring session instead, so you don’t have to miss out!
Lori Ferguson says
Got it! Will put on my thinking cap and see if I can come up with a guest post that’s worthy of real estate on your blog. Thank you for getting back to me!
Sarah Li Cain says
How exciting! I just joined the course last week (and introduced myself in the forums) and I then I read this post! Does it matter if I didn’t sign up via one of your links? I would totally love the opportunity to get a mentoring session with you if I can!
Sophie Lizard says
Hi Sarah, see my reply to Lori (just above your comment). Feel free to pitch me a guest post, and once a publication date’s been agreed you can take a 30 minute mentoring session as payment for your post. π
Sarah Li Cain says
Ok understand. I will have to email you a pitch soon!
Carol Tice | Make a Living Writing says
Wow, I just discovered this — awful nice bonus offer there, Sophie! People are signing up for this Get Great Clients bootcamp like nothing we’ve had before in the Den…I think this is the info people really need. Can’t wait to put it on starting next week!
Sophie Lizard says
Hey Carol, thanks for dropping in! Yep, I’m keen to get started on this course, and from the emails I’m getting it sounds like a lot of freelance bloggers are interested — I think you’ve found the topic *everybody* wants to learn. π
Sherri says
Hi Sophie, my two big take-aways from this are:
1. Always have a signed contract and…
2. Get a partial payment up front.
It’s something we know we need to do, but often don’t — then inevitably we get caught, don’t we? Sherri
Sophie Lizard says
Yep! And even when you’ve done both of those, it’s still possible for a client to pull a disappearing act on you. Full payment upfront is the ideal – always ask, as it’s rarely offered but often available on negotiation. π
Brown Wade | Assignment help says
They say once bitten twice shy. Like many others guys, I had been a victim some time back. I never left any stone unturned and i have always taken strict measures to ensure accountability. Client details is a must and the client must pay for half or quarter of the to be done before i embark on their assignment.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Helper says
Asking for half up front (or payment in full up front if you can pull it off!) is fantastic. And never, EVER work without a contract!
Don’t feel bad about getting suckered when you were just getting started. I haven’t met a single freelance writer who hasn’t been suckered at some point. Live an learn. Or, as you said, “Once bitten twice shy.”
Keep up the good work!
Esther says
Great post…I just got played by a client and was too embarrassed…thank you for this info.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Helper says
Don’t be embarrassed. As I told the person above you, every freelance writer I’ve ever met (even the established ones!) has been suckered at some point.
Just learn from these experiences and do better next time. You’ll be just fine. π
Young Work At Home Moms says
This is great advice. When I first started out I did not get paid for some of my work which is why I do things a lot differently now.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Helper says
Same here. I got ripped off big time when I was first getting started.
Here’s to doing things differently! π
Kevin Carlton says
Too right, Sophie. Without someone who’s already up there to give you a leg up, you could find yourself languishing in obscurity no matter how good a writer you are.
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Helper says
Yep. Networking is an important part of freelancing! π
Jim Bessey | SoWriteUs says
Great points all around, Sophie.
I had what seemed like a dream gig a couple years back: $100 a pop for new-client homepage text for a website developer. Turned out each actually required two comprehensive client interviews and full write/submit/rewrite process. AND, no by-line. (frowny face) Ended up making about $10 an hour on average.
But, hell, at least I got paid — every time. Each of us has to figure out our comfort zone, and get a realistic feel for how quickly we can write well. Live and learn, and don’t settle for pauper’s pay.
Thanks for clarifying the consult conditions, Sophie. I would love to trade you my best guest post for a bit of your time. I’ll have a pitch for you this month. ~Jim
Lauren Tharp, BAFB Community Helper says
Oh dear. I hate it when that happens. Sometimes “dream gigs” end up with we poor freelancers working for less than minimum wage in the end!
That’s why a well-defined contract is so important!
Thanks for commenting, Jim. π
Kayla @ Five Figure Writer says
I haven’t really been burned by a client yet, but I always read things like this so I can be prepared and maybe even prevent it from happening.