41. My top 9 freelance client red (and orange!) flags

41. My top 9 freelance client red (and orange!) flags

Author: Louise Shanahan December 3, 2021 Duration: 13:15

What are your red flags when it comes to deciding whether or not to work with a freelance client? Do you have any orange flags – the situations that could be turned from a definite "no" to a "maybe" if certain criteria are checked off? As we head into 2022, it's worth thinking about what makes you say "hell yes" or "no way", so you can make faster and better decisions in your freelance business. In this episode, Louise shares her top 9 red (and orange!) flags and some strategies for avoiding them in the first place.

"The vast majority of clients are brilliant to work with. But unfortunately, there are a few out there that we might want to politely sidestep. And if we pay attention to the red flags, or sometimes orange flags, we can avoid a world of pain further down the line."- - Louise Shanahan

And s/o to HAMYAW on YouTube (now Instagram) for inspiring this episode. with their convo about pink flags for online business owners.

Mentioned on this episode:

Say hi to Louise:

LinkedIn: Louise Shanahan
Twitter: @LouiseShanahan_
Instagram: @Louise_Shanahan_
Website: thecopyprescription.com

Wanna leave me a voice note? Go to memo.fm/15 and leave a question or comment.


Ever feel like building a business for yourself is a full-time job in itself, before you’ve even landed a client? 15 Minute Freelancer cuts through the overwhelm with manageable, actionable advice designed to fit around a busy schedule. Hosted by freelance health copywriter Louise Shanahan, each episode draws directly from her own journey and the real, sometimes messy, realities of working for yourself. You’ll hear honest behind-the-scenes stories about pricing, difficult clients, and finding focus, alongside straightforward strategies for the nuts and bolts of running a sustainable operation. The aim is to move beyond generic hustle-culture advice and focus on what actually works, helping you shape a freelance career that supports the life you want, not one that consumes it. This isn't about theory; it's about practical steps you can implement almost immediately. Tune in for a candid, snack-sized conversation that feels more like a chat with a knowledgeable friend than a business lecture. Whether you're just considering the leap or are years into your freelance path, this podcast offers a refreshingly realistic perspective on entrepreneurship.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 93

15 Minute Freelancer
Podcast Episodes
93. Pressing pause? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:56
Did you know this podcast has been going for 2 years? That's a lot of freelancing chat.In this episode, I share some thoughts about where the podcast is going in 2023 (spoiler in the title?). And in case you're pondering…
92. Using video to market your business (pt. 2 with Jude Charles) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:33
This is part two of my conversation with visual storytelling expert Jude Charles. If you haven’t yet listened to part one, go back and check that out first.“As a freelancer in 2023, it is no longer an option whether or n…
91. Storytelling for your personal brand (pt. 1 with Jude Charles) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:06
How can a pair of white shoes help someone land a new client?Jude Charles is an expert in visual storytelling – and specifically, using video to tell stories that build trust with potential clients. Because Jude had SO m…
90. The future of freelancing (with Paul Evans) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:19
Today we're taking a look at what the future of freelancing might look like as working culture evolves. My guest is Paul Evans, director of Fourth Estate Creative and creator of the Freelance Fellowship platform. As a sm…
89. Creating a remarkable client experience (with Gigi Davarashvili) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:17
Keeping the project pipeline flowing means we always need to be on the lookout for the next lead. But rather than chasing down new clients, why not focus on creating an amazing experience for your existing clients?Happy…
88. Looking back over 2022 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:01
Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are ve…
87. Behind the scenes at Magazine Street! (takeaways for freelancers) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:28
This week I take you behind the scenes at the Magazine Street conference. (You may remember my interview with Nikki Simpson, organiser of Magazine Street, back in Episode 75.)I share my top takeaways from a few of the ma…
86. Do you need a newsletter? (with Eman Ismail) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:46
"All freelancers should have an email newsletter for their business, 100%, without a doubt!"My guest today is Eman Ismail, email strategist, email copywriter extraordinaire and host of the excellent Mistakes That Made Me…
85. Is your next freelance client on TikTok? (with Chloe Barnes) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:55
Are you missing a trick if you don't use TikTok to market your freelance business?My guest today is Chloe Barnes, a freelance copywriter at The Write Chloe who successfully operates a TikTok-first marketing strategy for…
84. Healthy habits for busy freelancers (with Sally Duffin) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:48
It's the health episode! Working alone, from home, jumping from one task to another – it's all too easy to forget to take care of our physical and mental well-being properly.Sally Duffin is a freelance writer and nutriti…