| Freelancers, Choose Your Projects Carefully. When you're a freelancer and you're not sure where your next paycheck is going to come from, it can be tempting to treat every potential client like royalty. But investing time in a client that doesn't pan out can be costly and frustrating. As you begin courting a new client, consider two criteria — pay and value — to determine how much time to put in. Pay is the amount of money you'll receive. Value can refer to how much your client acknowledges your work, or how much personal passion you have for the project. Obviously, those clients who value your work and pay you well are your first priority. Don't take them for granted. People who pay well but don't value your work can be tricky. Likewise, be cautious about projects where you're valued but the money isn't good. This might mean you're currying favor for little or no pay, on the tenuous promise that paying work will eventually come. It's best to keep these clients at a distance, and if necessary, put them off until they are able to pay well for your work. | | | | Today’s Tip | | Freelancers, Choose Your Projects Carefully | | When you're a freelancer and you're not sure where your next paycheck is going to come from, it can be tempting to treat every potential client like royalty. But investing time in a client that doesn't pan out can be costly and frustrating. As you begin courting a new client, consider two criteria — pay and value — to determine how much time to put in. Pay is the amount of money you'll receive. Value can refer to how much your client acknowledges your work, or how much personal passion you have for the project. Obviously, those clients who value your work and pay you well are your first priority. Don't take them for granted. People who pay well but don't value your work can be tricky. Likewise, be cautious about projects where you're valued but the money isn't good. This might mean you're currying favor for little or no pay, on the tenuous promise that paying work will eventually come. It's best to keep these clients at a distance, and if necessary, put them off until they are able to pay well for your work. | | This tip is adapted from “How to Negotiate as a Freelancer,” by Andres Lares | | |  | | Don’t miss a single article. | | Unlimited access to digital articles, the Magazine Archive, and HBR’s 50 best-selling articles — yours with a subscription. | | | | |  | | Newsletter | | The Big Idea | | A deep dive into the most pressing topics facing businesses today. | | | | | | | | | | | |
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