# Identifying Manipulative Clients: Five Warning Signs to Watch Out For
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Chapter 1: Understanding Manipulative Clients
Recognizing a manipulative client is one of the most crucial yet overlooked skills for freelancers.
As a marketing strategist, I've encountered an overwhelming number of corporate manipulators. Untrustworthy clients. Cunning clients. Clients who rob me of my sleep. I’ve dealt with them all.
In my earlier days as an inexperienced consultant, I would lower my prices to accommodate these clients. I spent countless unpaid hours researching the best strategies to assist them. I would burn the midnight oil to create custom marketing plans while others were asleep. I devoted hours in Photoshop to produce mockups that showcased my ideas.
Was it foolish to do this for free? Perhaps.
To understand my mindset back then, it’s important to know that I was genuinely eager to impress. I aimed to establish a reputation for excellence in my field. Additionally, I truly wanted to help my clients.
However, I eventually realized I wasn't serving genuine clients; I was catering to manipulators. After a challenging period, I finally mustered the courage to let them go. You can read more about that wild experience here.
Following that rough patch, I had the fortune of collaborating with some of the most grounded leaders and founders of multi-million dollar enterprises. These empathetic individuals exude sincerity the moment they enter a room, and I learned what they would never do.
Here are five key signs that indicate you're dealing with a manipulative client:
Section 1.1: They Offer Payment in Equity
Ah, the dreamer.
Initially, they express great interest in your services. However, as discussions turn to payment, they pull out the sob story of their struggles, typically starting with the phrase, "We're just getting started."
Next comes the revelation of their groundbreaking technology that is supposedly on the horizon, but they're still grappling with early cash flow issues. They’ll insist they need someone genuinely committed to their venture.
The manipulation kicks in when they suggest you could earn a 1% equity stake in their yet-to-be-established company as proof of your commitment.
Red flag alert. Run.
Section 1.2: They Request "Just a Small Favor"
What they call a small favor is often anything but.
You may agree to a lower-priced service. Then, shortly after, you receive a message asking for a "small favor," which typically involves elements from the more expensive offerings.
When you inform them of the additional costs, they react as if you’ve deceived them.
If you refuse their demand, they might threaten to cancel the order, leave a negative review, or involve legal action.
Another red flag. Run.
Section 1.3: They Negotiate Relentlessly
To them, everything is negotiable.
You set your price, and they recoil in disbelief, making exaggerated claims about how your rates are inflated compared to other platforms.
When you maintain your pricing, they start proposing bizarre deals, such as trading odd commodities for your services, all while asking for further discounts.
Eventually, you might feel pity and agree to their strange terms, only for them to keep pushing for more.
Yet another red flag. Run.
Chapter 2: Legal and Revision Manipulations
Section 2.1: They Insist on Signing an NDA
This is a major warning sign.
While NDAs are standard in some industries, a request from an unknown brand should raise suspicion.
A seasoned venture capitalist once told me, "In the Valley, presenting an NDA signifies a lack of trust and respect."
Most of my problematic clients have asked me to sign NDAs. Once, I hastily signed one without fully reading it, only to discover it barred me from working with other clients in the same field, leading me to lose three excellent opportunities.
Final red flag. Run.
Section 2.2: They Expect Unlimited Revisions
This tactic is one of the most manipulative in the corporate playbook.
Once you deliver the work, you might receive an email stating that while it's "great," they need a few "minor adjustments," which quickly escalate into a series of vague and endless requests for changes.
This cycle can drag on for hours and leave you feeling exhausted.
Last red flag. Run.
You are the expert. You have the power to set your rates, define your working conditions, and choose your clients. Don’t hesitate to say no.
Do it promptly. Do it decisively.
I'd love to hear your experiences with manipulative clients. What tactics did they use? What initial signs did you notice?
Video Description: Discover the five signs that indicate you might be dealing with emotionally manipulative individuals and how to protect yourself from their tactics.
Video Description: Learn effective strategies to handle manipulative individuals, ensuring you maintain your boundaries and self-respect.