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You’re probably eager to accept any, and all, new work. I know I was when I was just starting out.
But I’m here to tell you that’s a bad idea…
Some clients are not worth the headache. They ask for repeated changes, aren’t willing to pay you fairly for your time and skill, and never seem happy.
Yes, it’s challenging to get new clients when your business is new, but that doesn’t mean you should accept work from everyone. Doing so can hurt your business and mental health.
Learning how to spot a difficult client is important. It helps you avoid wasting time and losing money. That’s why I’ve compiled this list of 10 red flags that tell you to turn down commissioned work from a potential client.
Contents
1. A Potential Client Asks You to Work for a Bargain Price
The number one reason to turn down commissioned work from a potential client is if he is unwilling to pay you a fair rate. Some negotiation is acceptable, but you shouldn’t compromise your worth.
This is sometimes difficult for handmade business owners because clients don’t always understand how much time and skill is required to make something. They only see the final product and compare the cost to similar items sold in retail stores.
It’s your job to educate clients about the skill and time required to make something…
For example, if you sell handmade quilts, you need to make sure potential clients know that handmade quilts are of higher quality than the ones mass produced for retail stores. You probably offer customization options, too. Yes, people can buy a quilt for under $100 from a retail store, but that doesn’t mean your quilts should be undervalued. If it takes you 20 hours to sew a quilt, you should be compensated fairly for those 20 hours and also be reimbursed for materials. Your quilt could easily cost over $500.
If you have educated a potential client about the value of your products, and they still aren’t willing to pay the rate you want, then don’t accept commissioned work from them. Wait until that potential client has done his own research and values your time and skill.
2. A Potential Client Doesn’t Want to Sign a Contract
Once you’ve agreed on a price for a product, you should get a contract or a deposit before completing any commissioned work for a new client. This ensures that you will actually get paid. A verbal agreement is not good enough — you need to have it in writing. If a client is not willing to sign a contract, you should turn down work from him.
Contracts protect your business. Don’t feel bad about making potential clients sign them. If you accept commissioned work, you should be paid.
3. A Potential Client Seems Shady
Scammers target people that work from home. That’s why you should thoroughly research potential clients before agreeing to do work for them, especially if they want to enter into a wholesale relationship with you. Make sure the potential client has a good reputation with the Better Business Bureau and his website looks professional and reputable.
Watch out for clients that want you to pay start-up fees to access a job board or to do your work. There are a few exceptions, but real clients won’t make you buy anything to get started.
4. A Potential Client Doesn’t Really Know What He Wants
Another thing to watch out for is a potential client that can’t tell you exactly what he wants. You might end up doing more work than you originally negotiated to do because the requirements will keep changing on you. The same is true if you come across a client that keeps asking for revision after revision. If that happens, you shouldn’t take further work from the client because it isn’t worth the hassle.
If the commissioned project is unclear, doesn’t have a specific set of requirements, or leaves you with too many questions, you should turn down the work. Of course, this isn’t always clear cut because if the compensation is high enough, you might not mind dealing with a little extra work.
5. A Potential Client Asks You to Provide a Sample for Free
It’s perfectly acceptable for a potential client to ask to see samples of your work, but you shouldn’t be required to give him something to keep for free. When this happens, the potential client might not buy anything and then your business is out the money. He knows you will do your best in hopes of getting more work, but he also knows he doesn’t have to pay you.
6. A Potential Client Asks You to Work for Exposure Instead of Money
For some reason, new business owners think that they need to work for free to build their portfolios and get actual paying clients. This is not the case at all. There is no reason you need to work for free. So, think twice before doing work for a client with only exposure as compensation.
This is difficult for business owners that sell paintings and prints to understand. For example, it’s common for potential clients to approach you and ask for artwork to display in their store. Instead of offering to pay you for your work, the potential client simply says that tons of people will see your work and you will get new clients in return. This is not OK.
7. A Potential Client Wants to Trade Instead of Providing Monetary Compensation
If you’re ever approached by a potential client that says they want to work on trade or compensate you in some way besides money, be wary. It’s usually not worth the risk. Do your research and make sure what they are offering to trade is something you need and want. Otherwise, politely decline the work and let the potential client know that you are willing to work for him once he has the money to pay you.
8. A Potential Client Wants an Unreasonable Turnaround Time
If a potential client comes to you with a huge amount of work but wants it done really fast, you should probably turn him down, unless you are sure you can complete all the work without compromising on quality. Clients that want a fast turnaround are usually difficult to work with. They don’t realize that you have work coming in from multiple places, and you can’t focus all of your time on them. If you take more work than you are able to handle, you’ll get burned out.
9. A Potential Client Is Rude or Disrespectful
As a handmade business owner, you don’t have to deal with clients that are rude or unreasonable — you can simply turn down work from them. In the corporate world, you might have to put up with a rude boss, but that is not the case when you run your own business. You get to choose who you work with and when.
Additionally, if a potential client tells you that the project will be really easy, you might want to think about turning him down because the client doesn’t realize how much time and effort goes into making something. He probably won’t respect or value your work.
10. A Potential Client Is a Friend or Family Member
It’s never a good idea to take commissioned work from friends or family because it can ruin the relationship. Firstly, you’ll be expected to give your friend or family member a good deal on price, and then there is no guarantee that you’ll actually get paid. Even if you’re really desperate for work, you should make it a rule to avoid any situation that could complicate your personal life. I learned this the hard way. I advise you to keep your work life and personal life separate.
If you have any doubts about a potential client at all, just say, “No.” It’s better not to deal with the hassle later. You don’t always have to accept all commissioned work presented to you.
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