Hey Freelancer — Don’t Fall In Love With Your Client
What happens when that loyal client suddenly…ghosts?
Earlier this week, I received a message from a client who had gone dark over the past few weeks.
“Hey Brad, we love your work, but we’ve found a much, much cheaper service that is giving us content much faster.”
I stared at my phone in disbelief.
What? After a year of building our partnership and helping you grow your client base, you’ve jumped ship to a new *cheaper* writer?
My first instinct was anger. My second instinct? Complete understanding.
After all, what client doesn’t want the best service at the lowest price? I don’t blame you for chasing value, and I wouldn’t be a good business owner if I didn’t take advantage of that same desire.
But still… that feeling in my stomach takes a bit to go away. That awful pain of knowing someone has left me with no notice.
Like a hard breakup, with your future and career on the line.
I’ve been in the same situation too many times to stay sane: an amazing client that just disappears overnight.
Suddenly, they stop responding to your messages and aren’t returning your work for revisions. You look at your month of *assumed* work and suddenly realize the floor has dropped out in a sizeable way.
So what’s a freelancer to do in that situation? Well, if you’re smart, you have backup plans.
Don’t Love Your Client Too Much
The harsh reality of running your own freelance business is that you are completely responsible for the success and failure of your career. If a client leaves you high and dry or stops responding to you suddenly — you’re the only one that has to deal with the consequences.
Keep this in mind as a freelancer, and build your client list accordingly.
Don’t get stuck in the trap of only working with one or two people/businesses — even if they pay well. They aren’t your safety net when times are tough — because you truly don’t have a safety net at all.
So how do you avoid being too attached to your clients in the first place?
Rotate Your Clients, So You Don’t Get Too Attached
It makes sense if you think about it… working on one project at a time means that you get used to the style, expectations, and pace of that project. Then suddenly, it’s gone.
Instead, rotate your clients every month or two months — so you can keep yourself fresh and stay in touch with the different types of work involved in freelancing.
Keep Your Options Open with Each Client
Don’t get too attached to one type of project — make it your goal to rotate through a certain number of services with a single client to provide greater options and return on investment.
Did they find a cheaper blog writer? No worries, you can still give them awesome social media content or email marketing copy. Keep all your tools on you, and know when to pivot.
Use Your New Opening to Create New Opportunities
After all, one large client just left you for a cheaper alternative — it’s prime time to start looking for new business opportunities. Now is the time to hustle your network and scale up with a few other businesses.
Don’t be shocked when a better opportunity suddenly appears, ready to fill the aching void that your last one left. Don’t be even more shocked when they are ready to pay way more.
Trust me, it happens. All. The. Time.
Don’t Burn Your Bridges
When a client decides to move on from your partnership, the best thing you can do is to wish them well in their business and support them.
What? But they just…
Doesn’t matter. They are a business, and businesses come and go. By showing some social graces, you will build better relationships in the future (even if they are not your clients).
Always close a door on good terms, even when it hurts. You won’t believe how many times they come back at a later date requesting new and better content.
It’s All About the Next Opportunity
At the end of the day, your job as a freelancer is to keep your clients happy and make them feel like you’re doing them a favor by working with them.
But when the tables turn, don’t stress out — be prepared for things to go south at any moment.
To be successful as a freelancer, guard your heart with your clients. You need to focus on being a great business owner that can pivot quickly. Hone in on your skills and be prepared to drop everything at a moment’s notice.
Keep these things in mind, and you’ll never have to worry about where the next opportunity will come from!
