Tips for Losing a Writing Client: Advice for the Freelancer Who Doesn't Want to Work

Freelance writers are not created equally. That may seem like a harsh statement, but anyone who has ever attempted to hire a freelancer understands what I mean. As a writer who has outsourced work for clients, and hired writers to create content for my own websites, I have learned about bad freelance writers the hard way. After a particularly hair-raising experience with an unprofessional fellow freelancer, I came up with a list of tips for writers who want to lose their clients.

Email Daily Asking For Work... Desperation is Attractive

If you want to lose a client who provides you with occasional work, email them daily asking if they have any work available. Tell them how much money you need to earn before a bill becomes past due and something (power, Internet, etc.) is cut off. Explain to them the details of a recent surgery, or the sad sorry tale of another client dropping you like a bad habit.

Turn Work in Late... If Ever

Deadlines are just suggestions. The person who hired you, paid a deposit, or the entire amount quoted in full upfront did not really need the project back on the day they stated. You can always turn the work in an hour, a day, or a week late. Heck, if you get bogged down and don't want to be bothered never complete the work. Just disappear in a puff of Internet smoke.

Ignore Important Directions... The Client's Opinion Doesn't Really Matter

Supplied keywords chosen for search engine optimization, and detailed instructions, are just lose guidelines. If the client asks for a 50 page e-book discussing the history of baseball, a 20 page e-book describing Southern baseball teams is just as good. Write whatever you want, especially if the client paid in advance. If the client didn't pay in advance, still write whatever you want (make sure you don't use the keywords at all) and howl to anyone who will listen that you never got paid.

Obviously I am attempting to use humor to deal with various bad situations. The sorry fact is I have run into the previously described behavior time and time again. When it happens I am embarrassed for the freelancer, and frustrated by the ripple effect the unprofessional behavior I described causes. After dealing with a horrible freelancer, quite a few clients turn bad. The clients stop wanting to pay in advance, and start hounding other freelancers about deadlines or keywords.

Freelance writers need to try to put themselves in the place of the client. Every client appreciates persistence, but would you want to deal with daily emails that bring personal issues into a work place? Would you want to deal with a person who took your money and failed to uphold their end of the bargain by refusing to stick to a deadline or follow directions?

The world of freelance writing is a fantastic way for a dedicated person to earn a living by doing something they have a passion for. I will continue to hire freelance writers when possible, but I hope these "tips" help some new writers avoid developing bad habits. Remember, a successful freelance writer is one who can afford to fire her clients, not one who is constantly being fired.