Freelancers often wait ages to reel in the big fish. We wait for the client that’ll fork out tons of money to have work done. These opportunities are rare and in between, but when you finally get that big time client, you must remember that they also require big time patience.

High profile clients are double-edged blades. They offer you pay that you are comfortable and satisfied with, as well as the reputation and vital portfolio piece and testimony. However, these projects also tend to take the longest, become the most frustrating, and often, are the ones that’ll make you tear your hair out and make you wish you had never accepted the project to begin with.

When dealing with big time clients, realize that you’re in for the long run and that you’re required to be at their beck and call, especially as a freelancer. It’s almost a necessity to charge hourly because if you do not, clients like this WILL take advantage of you and use you hours on end if you quote by the project. I’ve learned this the hard way, and ever since then I will never go back to using the pay-per-project model for higher profile clients.

It’s important that as a freelancer that you remain patient and understanding towards the clients needs. When dealing with clients like this, it’s difficult to communicate and get the right concept pumped out because most of the time you are dealing with only a portion of the entire company. It can take hours, and often hours until you can hear back from your client. This makes it extremely difficult to make revisions, changes, and ultimately, constructing and launching a concept. The people you deal with are usually the front lines of the marketing department who need to report to a superior, who then needs to report to another superior. Then, it’s all back in reverse until you get a gargled up message in the end and you’re expected to make dreams come true.

The price you pay and the sacrifices you make, will be rewarded in the end. Big time clients will usually deliver the most supportive testimonials and will create unthinkable opportunities for you through word of mouth. The way you treat them during the project’s longevity is critical to your reputation and therefore your wallet and career.

I’ve seen reputations fall apart after not being able to withstand the pressure, anxiety, and stress created from dealing with high profile clients. That’s why these sort of clients hardly ever select freelancers because they know what sort of pressure they can put onto a one man army. On the other spectrum however, I’ve seen careers made, and paths paved because of a freelancer’s ability to successfully complete a project and making their client extremely satisfied and in the end, it’s those little differences that will propel you forward.

Happy New Year everyone.
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