When a Potential Client won’t negotiate
Chris, I really want to work with a client but they will not negotiate any of the terms, including payment. What should I do? This is a question I am asked over and over again. As you probably know, this is something that every freelance writer has to deal with from time to time.
There are two things you can do in this situation:
1. Bite the bullet and accept the terms that are offered to you. This may not be the ideal situation, but you need to ask yourself whether or not you can live with what the client is putting on the table. Sometimes it is worth your time to settle and take on the client. But sometimes you will be better off walking away. Only you know what position you are in, and what is most important to you when accepting a new client. Remember, money is not the only term that may put you at odds.
2. Walk away. Even though it is not always easy, walking away from a project is something that you will have to do at some point in time. Last week I turned down two jobs because the company would not agree to my rate. Both jobs were intriguing, but in the end they simply didn’t work out.
If you are going to turn down a job and walk away, keep this in mind: you never want to burn any bridges. I have turned down jobs just to have the client come back the next week and meet my demands. Do you think this would have happened if I were rude and inconsiderate during the first round of communications? Definitely not.
Not every client will give you everything you want. There are times when you need to negotiate, settle, and even turn down projects.
