Always Evaluate Long Term Relationships With Freelance Clients

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When it comes to long term relationships with freelance clients, I am always of the opinion that one should continuously  evaluate that relationship and not take it for granted.

And this evaluation needs to take place, not only from the point of view of ensuring the sustenance of that freelance relationship, it also needs to take into consideration the possibility of severing such relationships, as and when the need arises.

Yes, you read that correct.

After all, there are opportune times when many freelance clients simply take freelance contractors for granted and look to "milk them" as much as they can. Essentially, they have a notion that since they have managed to find a freelance contractor who is willing to work on their terms, at their (very low) pay scales, they might as well extract as much work out of that contractor as possible.

Any freelance clients reading this should realize that when it comes to freelance contractors, while quite a few maybe outright dumb, not all are so. After a while, they can easily see through the exploitation tactic of freelance clients in question and accordingly look to move on or severe all ties that client.

While in most cases, this parting of ways may take place on very amicable terms, I have myself had situations where while there was no unpleasantness as such, I however chose to simply stop responding to the client in question. I agree that this is certainly not the most desirable strategy to follow but somehow under the given circumstances, that seemed like the best - maybe the only way ahead in terms of giving up on that client.

No doubt, this is something I would strongly advise you against - yes, you can very well learn from my mistakes.

Moreover, under no circumstances am I saying that you completely give up on any long term relationships with freelance clients. I myself have had some of the most fruitful freelance associations, both monetary and otherwise, with clients whom I worked with long term.

So don't get me wrong; I am not saying that you do not work long term with freelance clients. I am simply saying that you must evaluate the relevance as well as the importance of long term relationships with freelance clients, at all times. Bear in mind that while most such long term freelance relationships may prove really very beneficial, there are instances where such relationships do not prove beneficial. On the contrary, they end up proving detrimental since they keep you away from working with other clients who may well have yielded higher and better quality monetary rewards for you.

These are all thoughts which I summed up in a video on my freelancing specific YouTube channel, which you can also see below:

Therefore in conclusion all I would say is that do not get mesmerized by the fact that you have freelance clients whom you have built long term relationships with. Instead, always look at the value which these clients are offering you. Ask yourself:

1. Are these clients paying me well, commensurate to my qualification, my experience, and indeed my expectations?

2. Are they friendly and courteous?

3. Do they pay promptly or do you have to chase them for payments which arrive with excruciating delay?

Responses to these questions will give you a very good idea in terms of the viability of working with freelance clients on a long term basis. Wherever you notice a questionable association, I would advise you to forgo that relationship for another one that may well prove far more conducive.

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