Clients from hell will always exist. But the thing is… no one becomes a client without your permission.

Your job is to evaluate a potential client as much as it’s their job to evaluate you as a potential contractor to do work for them.

It may seem scary to say no to someone offering you money. But think back to all the times you’ve said yes when you should have said no. I think of this as an amnesia check. Are you suppressing bad memories when money is flashed in your face?

Here are some practical things to do to avoid client from hell.

• Keep a spreadsheet of all projects you work on.

  • Track your time (which will give you an effective hourly rate).

  • Have a column called “did I enjoy this?”

  • If your effective hourly rate was average or low and you didn’t enjoy it, say no next time.

  • If you didn’t enjoy it, but your effective hourly rate was 3x higher than normal… you can weigh that in next time that client asks for a project.

• Pay attention to your gut reaction.

• Ask someone you trust.

• Is the client using emotional manipulation to get you to say yes? That’s a red flag.

You might not have control over who requests to be your client, but you 100% control who you let become your client.

Like the wrong spouse or a wrong business partner, a wrong client has the power to make your life a living hell.

Choose wisely.

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