9 Client Red Flags for New or Inexperienced Copywriters
- Mike Peake
- Apr 10
- 3 min read
I’ve been commissioned to write things thousands of times. Here are the phrases that should put you on high alert when you’re being offered work.
1/ "We don't have much budget, but if this works, we'll have loads of work for you."
What it means: we don’t have much money – period. I don’t think I have ever had a client offer low-paying work who suddenly increased the fee further down the line. Also, who wants “loads of work” if it’s low-paying?
2/ “This will be dead easy for you.”
What it means: I don’t want to pay you much or give you long to complete the work. Suggesting something is “easy” for you is a classic low-handed tactic to dodge out of offering a decent fee. Also, the person assuming the task will be light work often isn’t the best person to judge.
3/ “I really don’t know what I want – I’ll leave it to you.”
What it means: you could be wasting lots of time trying to help them understand what they do want. One way to iron out this kind of issue is to write a short ‘test piece’ and get that approved. I often do this before starting long projects as a website copywriter.
4/ “I’ve already written it – it just needs a polish.”
What it means: I don’t want to pay you very much. Most of the time when this happens, the copy is so bad that it’s a hindrance. One would-be client who told me this literally had a couple of sentences scribbled down as notes and seemed to think this constituted a rough draft.
5/ “We’ve worked with other freelancers before, and it didn’t work out.”
What it means: we’re difficult to work with (possibly). Sure, their last copywriter might have been sub-par, but there’s an equally strong chance that they did everything right and the client is a nightmare to work with. Check out my thoughts for clients on how to hire a freelance copywriter.
6/ “We have quite a long approval process.”
What it means: you’re going to have to rewrite this multiple times. My advice? Don’t take the job. If you do take it, make it clear that you offer a single round of revisions and will only deal with one person. Otherwise, you might find yourself adding things the MD wants, removing them because the marketing team have asked for tweaks, and then virtually starting again once the SEO guys come in.
7/ “I know what I’ll like when I see it.”
What it means: I’ll string you along until you’ve given me a dozen versions. Similar to number three, this kind of open-ended approach to writing leaves you exposed to all kinds of misery.
8/ “I don’t have time to fill out your briefing doc. Can’t you just start?”
What it means: they don’t value the work enough to spare 30 minutes to help you get started. Most freelance copywriters have a set of questions that cover the company’s background, its goals, and the parameters of the work they’ve been asked to write. If the client is too busy, ask if you can do it over a video call instead. If it’s still a no, don’t take the work.
9/ “We’ll just need you to pull out a couple of bits for socials, too.”
This is sometimes quietly tagged onto the end of a brief. Corporate copywriting clients often do it – and it’s easy to overlook. Even if you did notice it, what you think will be the work of moments may actually be as time-consuming as the main body of work you’ve been asked to write. I’ve had a few clients who used to pay me a set fee for copy that suddenly expected the socials to be included for free. Avoid.
Written by Mike Peake, UK freelance copywriter and website content writer.
T: +44 (0)208 133 4306
Need help with your copy? Get in touch for a friendly chat or a free quote.
