3 Client Red Flags I Learned to Spot the Hard Way
I used to think I could make any client relationship work. If I was clear enough, fast enough, accommodating enough, surely things would go smoothly.
Spoiler: they didn’t. Not always. Not even often.
Some of the worst projects I’ve taken on looked amazing on paper. Great pay. Big vision. Polished inquiry form. But two weeks in, I’d be staring at my inbox, heart racing, trying to decode a 2am message that totally contradicted yesterday’s call. Again.
If you're a freelancer, you know the feeling. That slow, creeping realization that something’s off, but you’ve already signed the contract. You already said yes. You’re already in it. It took me years to understand that spotting red flags isn’t about being cynical. It’s about being sovereign. Because every “off” feeling you ignore becomes a bigger problem down the line; one that costs you time, peace, and creative energy.
So here they are: The three red flags I now trust without hesitation. The ones I learned to see because I didn’t see them soon enough.
And if you’re a client reading this: don’t worry. I’m not here to drag anyone. But I am here to invite reflection, because freelancers aren’t trying to be rescued or tolerated. We’re here to co-create something powerful with you. And that starts with mutual respect.
Red Flag #1: They Talk More Than They Ask
There’s a certain kind of client call that feels less like a conversation and more like a monologue. They talk for 25 straight minutes about their business, their goals, their frustrations with past freelancers, and their big vision for this next phase.
And in all that time, they ask not one question about you. Not your process. Not your capacity. Not even, “How do you usually work best?”
When a prospective client doesn’t ask any questions, it tells you something critical: they don’t see you as a collaborator, they see you as a tool.
A means to an end. A name to plug into the contract. A button to press.
And listen, I get it. Some people are just enthusiastic. Some are nervous. Some haven’t had enough coffee. But if a discovery call feels one-sided from the start, pay attention. Because how someone shows up in that first conversation is often the most honest version of who they’ll be throughout the project.
Clients who talk over, dominate, or fail to pause to check in are often the same ones who:
I’ve learned to treat the discovery call like a rehearsal. If it doesn’t feel like a dialogue now, it won’t magically become one later.
What I do now:
I let them talk. I stay curious. But I also take note. If I get to the end of a call and they haven’t asked a single question about how I work, I follow up with a short, clear email outlining my process.
If that email is ignored, or worse, met with pushback, I trust myself to walk away.
Red Flag #2: Expectations are Fuzzy but the Timeline is Tight
"We’re not totally sure what we want…but we need it by Tuesday."
Does this sound familiar? This is the red flag that masquerades as opportunity. At first, it feels like creative freedom. Like they’re open, flexible, trusting you to work your magic.
But what they’re actually saying is: "We don’t know what success looks like, but we’ll definitely know if you don’t hit it. Quickly."
Clients with vague expectations and rigid timelines are setting you up for a no-win situation. There’s no clear target, but there’s definitely a deadline. And when the feedback rolls in, it often sounds like:
The truth is, it’s not your job to mind-read a moving goalpost. It is your job to ask clarifying questions, but that only works if the client is willing to slow down and answer them.
And if they won’t, you’ll end up stuck in a fast-paced project with no compass, second-guessing every decision and burning time trying to reverse-engineer their taste.
What I do now:
When I hear fuzzy language: "something fresh," "make it pop," "just a little something to get us started", I pause. I ask direct questions:
If they can’t (or won’t) answer those questions, and the deadline is non-negotiable, I pass. Because vague vision + urgency = chaos every time.
Red Flag #3: They Undervalue Strategy (but expect strategic results)
This one shows up like: "We just need a quick blog post." "It’s a simple email, no big deal." "Can you just throw together some copy for this?"
But five minutes later, they’re asking:
Here’s the thing: you can’t ask for strategic results without making space (and budget) for strategic input.
When clients downplay the thinking behind the work, they often don’t realize what they’re really asking for. Strategy takes time, context, and collaboration. It’s not something you can “tack on” after a deliverable has already been assigned.
This red flag doesn’t always come from a place of malice. Sometimes it’s just a lack of education. But that still doesn’t make it your job to pour hours of unspoken labor into a $200 line item.
What it really means:
They want your best brain, but only want to pay for your hands. They see the output but not the scaffolding underneath:
They want impact without infrastructure.
What I do now:
I draw a clear line between content execution and content strategy. If a client’s request hints at deeper needs, I name it:
"What you’re describing sounds more like a strategy or positioning project than just copywriting, do you want to build that into the scope?"
Sometimes they’re grateful. Sometimes they ghost. And both are useful answers.
Final Thoughts
I used to ignore the tension in my body when something felt off. I’d justify, reframe, give the benefit of the doubt. Because I thought being “professional” meant pushing through discomfort.
Now I know better. Now I know red flags aren’t just caution signs, they’re crossroads. They’re opportunities to protect your time, your energy, your craft.
Saying no isn’t ungrateful. Walking away isn’t dramatic. It’s what keeps you available for the right projects; ones built on mutual respect, shared clarity, and honest collaboration.
And if you’re a client reading this, consider it an invitation, not a call-out. The best work happens when creatives feel safe, respected, and included in the vision. When they’re not just executing, but co-creating.
Freelancers: trust your gut. You don’t owe anyone your burnout. Clients: trust your creatives. You don’t have to know everything, you just have to make space for partnership.
Because at the end of the day, we’re not here to survive one more nightmare project. We’re here to help build something better.
This is very helpful, I appreciate you. 🔍