Top 5 red flags every freelancer needs to be aware of
Tags: blockchain, beginners, tutorial, productivity
Published: 2022-03-17 09:37:46

You can find the article [here](https://latest.hyve.works/top-5-red-flags-for-freelancers/). 

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Freelancing can be a great way to make money and work on projects you’re interested in, but it can also be a bit of a risk.

Finding the right clients to work with and maintaining the relationship can make your freelance career easier. Not all clients are honest or fair, and sometimes things can go wrong.

When it comes to freelancing, it’s important to be choosy about the clients you work with. After all, you don’t want to waste your time and energy on projects that aren’t going to be worth your while. Dealing with red-flag clients is never fun, but here’s the thing:

_**You have the power to get out of a bad client situation!**_

However, there are certain red flags 🚩 that freelancers should watch out for when working with a client. Here are 5 of them:

**1.  Unprofessional communication**
The client is constantly bombarding you with emails at all hours of the night? Red flag!🚩 Do you experience **unclear project specifications** with the client? Red flag!🚩It’s probably best to steer clear. To avoid any kind of issues, you should only use the official channels of communication with clients if you are working on a freelance platform.

Try to get as many details as possible in **writing** and be sure to **document everything**. If the client continues to give unclear specifications, it may be best to end the working relationship.

If a client is unresponsive or doesn’t communicate well, it can be difficult to work with them. This can lead to missed deadlines and other problems.
Pay attention! The way that a client communicates negotiates and coordinates with you is an accurate indication of the type of experience they are likely going to have.

**2. Improper behavior**
While it’s impossible to avoid every unprofessional client, there are certain red flags you can watch out for that will help you identify them early on and protect yourself from potential headaches down the road.


Do you feel like the client isn’t taking your work seriously or sending you rude messages? Red flag!🚩

As a freelancer, you may experience unprofessional communication from clients. This can include anything from rude or condescending remarks to requests that are clearly impossible to meet. It’s important to know how to deal with these situations so that they don’t affect your work or reputation.

Better safe than sorry! You can try to avoid this situation by getting in touch with them early on to set some ground rules and expectations.

**3. Unclear contract terms**
The client **suddenly changes the specifications of a project after** it’s been agreed upon? It can be a sign that they’re not trustworthy. Red!🚩Flag!🚩Or if the contract terms are unclear, it could lead to disputes down the road about what was actually agreed upon.

Dealing with an unprofessional client can be really frustrating, but it’s important to remember that **you are in control of the situation**. You can choose how to react, and **you don’t have to put up with behavior that isn’t acceptable to you**.

One great thing about decentralized freelancing platforms is that it ensures **instant and guaranteed payment** for the provided freelance services, powered by blockchain. The use of tokens and smart contracts provides unique advantages and improves the overall collaborative experience.

We know how challenging it can be when things go off track, so take a deep breath and stay calm. You have options! You got the skills!

**4. Late payments**
This is probably the biggest and most obvious red flag. One of the biggest indicators of a bad client is **one who consistently pays late**. You’ve invoiced them and they haven’t paid within a few days of the due date? You know what’s coming... R-RED FLAG!🚩 There’s a good chance they won’t pay at all and even if is not the case (hope not), being paid later is unprofessional and annoying.

_Thanks to the decentralized technology, on which HYVE is leveraging, these situations in which freelancers don’t receive their payment are no longer an issue._

Everybody knows that one of the biggest headaches for freelancers is getting paid on time. It’s important to be aware of clients who constantly make requests for free work, especially if they are not willing to compensate you for your time and effort. These clients may be looking to take advantage of you, so it’s best to avoid them altogether.
As you become more experienced, your ability to sniff out red flag clients and act accordingly will improve.

**5. Unreasonable demands or unrealistically tight deadlines**
The client is constantly asking for revisions that **go beyond the original scope** of the project?🙂Red🙂flag!🚩It’s a sign of trouble. This can be time-consuming and frustrating, so try to set some limits on how many revisions are allowed.

_No one deserves to be treated poorly_ by a client, regardless of whether they are freelance or not. If a client is verbally abusive or condescending, it’s best to end the relationship before it becomes further toxic.

If a client starts asking for discounts before even agreeing to contract terms, they’ll likely be looking to take advantage of you further down the line.

**Find the right freelance clients on HYVE**
There are a few important things to keep in mind when looking for freelance clients on decentralized freelancing platforms.

First, make sure to research the client thoroughly before accepting any work. Check reviews and ratings, and be sure to read the terms of the service agreement carefully.

Second, be sure to set clear expectations with the client from the beginning. This will help avoid any confusion or misunderstandings down the road. Finally, always be professional and courteous when working with clients, no matter what the circumstances may be.

[HYVE](https://app.hyve.works/), like other projects within the crypto space, offers various features that make it unique from traditional online work platforms. The HYVE Ecosystem leverages the strengths of various blockchain technologies and brings new and well-desired functionalities to the freelance industry.

By being aware of these red flags, you can avoid unpleasant situations with clients and maintain a healthy work-life balance. If you encounter any of these red flags, it’s important to stand up for yourself and protect your interests.
Good luck in achieving your freelancing goals!

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