I believe a big part of the problem is that people do not understand the value of our work. Most of my difficults would never consider asking the supermarket if they could take home a box of cereal without paying for it. Yet they consistently ask me to provide extra service for nothing.

My solution? I had one customer who demanded all of my time, delayed payment and sucked me dry. Then, without ceremony, dumped me. The manager actually laughed at me over the telephone.

I decided the best solution was to restructure my business so that I have a large number of small customers. None have the ability to use up lots of my time. If one does, then the effects are small.

It wasn’t easy to do. It took a while – but I’m glad I did it.

Vampire clients:Its unfortunate that such an element exists when dealing with clients.

As for me, Ive had the fortunate (or maybe unfortunate) training for such a situation early in my freelancing career. (You know how it goes when starting as a web designer, you try to get your name out there to as many people as you can). Well I didnt know it back then, but one of my best friend, whom I did a website for, was a vampire as clearly defined in this post. He kept asking for more and more, fix that and this… Dont get me started on the lady in the bakery…

Whether or not the client is intentional being a vampire doesn’t matter, Its ultimately the freelancers’ fault that the big white fangs were drawn in the first place.