One of the problems with dealing with difficult clients as freelance writers is that we often don’t know who will be difficult until we’ve taken on the project and/or worked for them for a bit. Difficult clients tend to come off as kind, considerate people in the beginning. Then one day, the mask comes off. By then, we’re locked into a contract.

Here’s my advice for heading off problems with potentially difficult clients:

1. Set boundaries from the beginning.

This includes your working hours, number of revisions you’ll do before you charge extra, your policy about rush jobs, payment policy, etc.

2. Don’t bend your own rules.

Don’t agree to an extra edit just because you’re having a slow day. Don’t take on a rush job at your regular rate. Don’t accept late payments. If you do it once, they’ll expect it again.

3. Don’t get chummy.

If your clients become your buddies, they’ll be more apt to think they can receive special treatment. Friends are for favors. Employers are for pay checks.

4. Communicate in writing.

Email is an easy and widely accepted means of communicating with online clients. It’s good to have things in writing, especially with problem clients who might claim misunderstanding later.

5. Don’t give them your phone number.

Unless you want to field 3am phone calls from antsy-pants clients who don’t think their emergencies can wait till morning, don’t give needy/demanding clients your phone number. Emails sent at midnight can be ignored until morning.