12 Signs of a Bad Freelance Writing Client

Hold up!

Are you sure you want to work with that new freelance writing client?

Before you send in your application, write a trial work, or sign a contract, it’s essential to know if that client isn’t really one of the bad guys. 

While there are many good clients out there, there are also bad ones who take advantage of your inexperience.

To help you identify bad freelance writing clients (and avoid working with them), you should look out for the following red flags:

1. Wants “rockstar” work but offers ridiculously low pay
2. Posted job title doesn’t match the job responsibilities
3. Job posting sounds rude
4. With unrealistic expectations and workload
5. Wants you to write several unpaid trial articles
6. Doesn’t know what they want
7. Wants you to pay up before you officially start working
8. Client shows up late for your scheduled interview without any notice
9. Always says, “It shouldn’t take too long.”
10. Rudely questions your rates
11. Complains about their past freelance writers
12. Has poor or excessive communication

If you want to know why these are the signs of a bad freelance writing client, read the entire article.

1. Wants “rockstar” work but offers ridiculously low pay

I have a decade of experience scouring freelance writing job boards. 😆

I noticed that clients who indicate the word “rockstar” in their job postings often offer meager pay.

For example, a client wants “rockstar” work but only offers $10 per 1,000 words. They even require you to:

• Submit the piece within 4 hours
• Include 3-5 images
• Include internal and external links
• Interview people for quotes
• Upload your written content to their website

Worse, some even threaten you that they won’t pay for your piece if they find grammatical errors.

This may seem an exaggeration, but this is happening in content mills and third-world freelance writing online marketplaces.

If you’re not sure what rates are considered low or high, you can refer to the following table for guidance:

Pay Range	Low or High Pay
$1-25	Very Low Pay
$25-50	Low Pay
$50-100	Semi-Pro
$100-250	Pro-Rate
$250-500	Pro-Rate
$500-750	Pro-Rate
$750-1000+	Pro-Rate

No matter how desperate you are for work and writing experience, make sure to set a minimum rate for yourself and don’t accept anything less.

2. Posted job title doesn’t match the job responsibilities

I’ve seen many clients “baiting” content writers on freelance job boards.

For instance, the posted job title is “Wanted: Content Writer.” 

But upon reading the job description, the responsibilities align more with that of a virtual assistant (VA).

Aside from content writing, the client also wants the writer to:

• Manage their social media accounts
• Do email marketing
• Engage in SEO link-building activities
• Design graphics
• Create videos

And more.

I hate clients like these. 🙅‍♀️ They exploit writers yet offer inadequate compensation. 

3. Job posting sounds rude

It’s easy to spot a rude freelance job posting. 

Cue: There are a lot of “DON’Ts.”

Here are some examples:

• We have received many applications from professionals with terrible writing skills. If you cannot write, don’t apply.
• Don’t bother applying if you don’t have perfect grammar and spelling skills. We don’t have time to waste on amateurs.
• We’re looking for someone who can actually write. No fluff or filler allowed. If you can’t handle constructive criticism, don’t even think about applying.
• We’re not looking for someone who’s just trying to make a quick buck. If you’re not willing to put in the effort, don’t bother applying.
• Only apply if you’re a real writer and not some amateur blogger. Don’t waste our time if you’re not an expert.
• We need a writer who can handle our demanding workload. If you can’t keep up, don’t bother applying.

Sure, filtering through hundreds of freelance writing applicants can be a stressful task for clients.

However, resorting to writing “rude” job postings only reflects impatience and excessive strictness. If you’re working with such clients, it can take a toll on your mental health.

In my experience, job postings that are “rude” don’t usually result in a good working relationship.

4. With unrealistic expectations and workload

Don’t apply to freelance writing job posts requiring you to submit 3,000 to 5,000 words per day. This unrealistic workload will only burn you out. 

Of course, writing 3,000 to 5,000 words daily is possible if it’s a personal essay or your passion project.

But remember, you’ll be writing for a client. There are several checks you need to do before you submit that draft. And these take time.

In fact, writing more than 1,500 words daily is already stressful, especially if the article requires extensive research, images, internal and external links, expert quotes, statistics, and sources.

If you plan to freelance full-time for a single client, only apply to job postings requiring you to write between 1,000 and 2,000 words per day.

5. Wants you to write several unpaid trial articles

Personally, I think writing trial articles is a helpful way to show off your writing chops – as long as they’re short and not too time-consuming.

Legit clients will typically ask you to show relevant writing samples. If you’re shortlisted, they will ask you to write a 200 to 300-word test piece to confirm your suitability for the job.

However, beware of clients who ask for “complete” trial articles. This could be a ploy to get free work from you.

A fellow freelance writer shared that a prospective client requested 3x 1,000-word trial articles to test his ability to write in various niches, as the client runs a digital marketing agency. 

My dear friends, if a “client” wants you to write several unpaid trial articles, they’re scamming you.

6. Doesn’t know what they want

Some freelance writing clients give you free rein over topics and writing styles. But clients like these can be some of the most challenging people to work with.

Submitting your first draft to clients who are unclear about their expectations can be a recipe for frustration. These clients often provide feedback after the fact and request additional content, leading to multiple rounds of revisions. 

That is why I prefer working with clients who provide their own topics, keywords, and writing guidelines to prevent exhausting revisions.

7. Wants you to pay up before you officially start working

It’s crucial to keep your eyes peeled for potential scams when working as a freelance writer. 

Remember: legitimate clients won’t ask you for money. If a client requests payment for something, that’s a major red flag.

You should be the one asking for upfront payment, not them.

Scammers might deceive you by claiming you must pay for an office email account, ID, apps, tools, or gadgets. Don’t fall for their tricks! 

Be sure to report any suspicious activity to the administrators of the freelance marketplace.

8. Client shows up late for your scheduled interview without any notice

If you made it to the interview phase, congratulations! However, if the client shows up late without giving you any notice, you might want to reconsider.

Please note that you’re a freelancer. It means you’re also running your own business. You’re not an employee. You are your own boss.

Clients who don’t respect the time of their freelance contractors may not be the best fit for your business.

9. Always says, “It shouldn’t take too long.”

Beware of clients who constantly downplay the value of your work by saying things like, “It shouldn’t take too long.”

These clients often fail to realize the full extent of the work that goes into creating quality content. 

Freelance writers know that writing involves research, outlining, drafting, editing, and revising – all of which can take hours, if not days, to complete.

So don’t make deals with clients who say your work is easy. 

10. Rudely questions your rates

A client who rudely questions your rates is like a red flag waving in your face. 

Sure, negotiations are a part of the freelance writing biz. But that doesn’t mean you should feel guilty about charging what you’re worth. 

Don’t build business relationships with clients who make you feel you don’t deserve to charge what you want.

11. Complains about their past freelance writers

You may also come across clients who can’t stop complaining about their past freelance writers. 

Before you judge them too harshly, consider this – they’re trying to help you avoid the same mistakes their previous writers made.

But be warned, if you slip up, these clients can quickly leave you with a bad review.

It isn’t impossible to work with these types of clients. It’s just you need to be highly attentive and take note of what they like and hate. 

12. Has poor or excessive communication

There are 2 types of clients regarding communication: (1) those who leave you hanging and (2) those who won’t stop talking. Either one is difficult to work with. 

The client who never seems to respond leaves you in limbo, so you can’t fix your writing schedule. Meanwhile, a chatty client makes it harder for you to focus on the task.

It can be challenging to spot these types of clients from the outset. But there are certainly some red flags to watch out for. 

For example, if a potential client takes unusually long to respond to your initial application, it could be a sign that they’re not the best communicator.

Similarly, if a client goes in circles during your interview and stretches it out to over 30 minutes, they might be too chatty for your liking.

Final Thoughts

It’s essential to be mindful of the warning signs that a freelance writing client may not be the best fit for you. 

By being proactive and choosing clients carefully, you can avoid potential issues and set yourself up for a successful freelance writing career.

Whether it’s a client with unrealistic expectations or a history of bad reviews, paying attention to these warning signs can save you time, energy, and stress in the long run.

Instead, focus your energy on building positive relationships with clients who value your skills, appreciate your work, and are willing to collaborate.