Today, I made a decision.
I decided to never accept work from clients with whom I do not feel chemistry.
That's right. I have made it official. I am not going to let money define me. In the end, I need to choose myself, my own peace of mind, and never accept to work with someone that I get energy from. Thankfully, in the 9 months that I have started working as an Independent Writer and Editor, there were only two examples of clients that I did not feel this chemistry with. It's interesting, but I feel like both of these people, though from completely different backgrounds were very similar in many ways.
Here is a list that I observed in the two clients, and rules that I have developed in my experience.
1. They were especially stingy about paying my fees. I say "stingy" because in the very first session, I make it clear what my rates are and I make sure to come to an agreement with the client. And yet, when it comes to pay, they both got so stingy about it and argued about it. That. Is. Too. Unprofessional. And I can't stand for it. Rule #1: When you start getting the feeling that a potential client is the type who doesn't really value your work and doesn't really want to pay you for your services, you are probably right. Be very unyielding and stubborn about your rates. If you don't, they will walk all over you.
2. They always made the impression that I work for them and thus allow themselves to act like they own me. "Fix this for me now." or "I want you to do this now." Bitch, move on. I am not your slave. Rule #2: Be very clear about what your policies are before you sign a contract. Make it clear how much time in advance you would be willing to accept work or what your work entails exactly. If it's tutoring, then be clear that under no circumstance would you ever accept to do the work for the client. Or if you are to be ghost writing, then a certain independence and authority should be given to you as the writer and there is a way for the client to ask questions about what you have written and there are just ways they can't. As the service provider, it is your responsibility to set boundaries in the very beginning so if the client tries to break them, you are justified in charging them funds as necessary or ending contract.
3. They were overly sweet when they urgently needed my help and were desperate for it. As soon as their work would finish, they would go back to being stingy and commanding. Rule #3: Always maintain a professional atmosphere with your clients. You can be friendly, but never cross any lines, especially with the ones you feel like you can tell they are being rather superficial in their niceness. In the end, they are not your friends; they are your clients.
4. They both did not know when to stop talking. No matter how much I told them I do not have the time or desire to continue working with them, they kept coming back and constantly calling or texting me at different times throughout the day (or even throughout the night). Rule #4: Make rules and policies about when it is okay to be contacted. Or at least make it clear that you would not be responding to messages that were sent after a certain time and they should expect a response the next day etc. Again, some people need to be told directly what your policies and rules are and that is the only way you can make them work. In fact, even then, you may not "get them to work" but at least you'll have your leverage and can easily end the contract without feeling guilty of unprofessionalism.
5. From the very beginning, before I even started working with them, I felt this negative vibe from them and decided to give them the benefit of the doubt. I'm not saying I have a secret power to read people or anything, but I am very much in touch with my feelings and can understand energy and how it works. Rule #5: When you do feel a negative vibe from a client, before even starting work with them, just follow the first 4 rules and make policies and rules before starting to work. The idea is to be cautious. You don't want to ever refuse to work with someone just because of a "feeling" you may have. In fact, that person might be having a bad day or might be going through something hard in his or her life. Perhaps, the service you provide for them is just what they need in order to put their life together. Never lose the opportunity to do that. However, just be very very cautious. Trust your gut.
I decided to never accept work from clients with whom I do not feel chemistry.
That's right. I have made it official. I am not going to let money define me. In the end, I need to choose myself, my own peace of mind, and never accept to work with someone that I get energy from. Thankfully, in the 9 months that I have started working as an Independent Writer and Editor, there were only two examples of clients that I did not feel this chemistry with. It's interesting, but I feel like both of these people, though from completely different backgrounds were very similar in many ways.
Here is a list that I observed in the two clients, and rules that I have developed in my experience.
1. They were especially stingy about paying my fees. I say "stingy" because in the very first session, I make it clear what my rates are and I make sure to come to an agreement with the client. And yet, when it comes to pay, they both got so stingy about it and argued about it. That. Is. Too. Unprofessional. And I can't stand for it. Rule #1: When you start getting the feeling that a potential client is the type who doesn't really value your work and doesn't really want to pay you for your services, you are probably right. Be very unyielding and stubborn about your rates. If you don't, they will walk all over you.
2. They always made the impression that I work for them and thus allow themselves to act like they own me. "Fix this for me now." or "I want you to do this now." Bitch, move on. I am not your slave. Rule #2: Be very clear about what your policies are before you sign a contract. Make it clear how much time in advance you would be willing to accept work or what your work entails exactly. If it's tutoring, then be clear that under no circumstance would you ever accept to do the work for the client. Or if you are to be ghost writing, then a certain independence and authority should be given to you as the writer and there is a way for the client to ask questions about what you have written and there are just ways they can't. As the service provider, it is your responsibility to set boundaries in the very beginning so if the client tries to break them, you are justified in charging them funds as necessary or ending contract.
3. They were overly sweet when they urgently needed my help and were desperate for it. As soon as their work would finish, they would go back to being stingy and commanding. Rule #3: Always maintain a professional atmosphere with your clients. You can be friendly, but never cross any lines, especially with the ones you feel like you can tell they are being rather superficial in their niceness. In the end, they are not your friends; they are your clients.
4. They both did not know when to stop talking. No matter how much I told them I do not have the time or desire to continue working with them, they kept coming back and constantly calling or texting me at different times throughout the day (or even throughout the night). Rule #4: Make rules and policies about when it is okay to be contacted. Or at least make it clear that you would not be responding to messages that were sent after a certain time and they should expect a response the next day etc. Again, some people need to be told directly what your policies and rules are and that is the only way you can make them work. In fact, even then, you may not "get them to work" but at least you'll have your leverage and can easily end the contract without feeling guilty of unprofessionalism.
5. From the very beginning, before I even started working with them, I felt this negative vibe from them and decided to give them the benefit of the doubt. I'm not saying I have a secret power to read people or anything, but I am very much in touch with my feelings and can understand energy and how it works. Rule #5: When you do feel a negative vibe from a client, before even starting work with them, just follow the first 4 rules and make policies and rules before starting to work. The idea is to be cautious. You don't want to ever refuse to work with someone just because of a "feeling" you may have. In fact, that person might be having a bad day or might be going through something hard in his or her life. Perhaps, the service you provide for them is just what they need in order to put their life together. Never lose the opportunity to do that. However, just be very very cautious. Trust your gut.
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