Your article is very relevant to me too this week. I’m less choosy than usual as the recession bites for us Brits. Neil’s ‘rule of three’ is spot on.

Bad clients should definitely be paying more, and some of them are so bad, there’s not enough money in the world…

More seriously, it seems my reactions to customers at the sales stage are so transparent, that I always end up with the nice clients.

In one year I’ve only had one painful client, who didn’t even pay. I think that’s an OK rate.

That said, I think clients have every right to postpone feedback until the last possible moment. I’ve been on their side and I know the pressure you can be in. As a professional, I feel keeping my times up to mark is required regardless of what the client does.
If things get delayed, it’s the client’s responsibility.

I have a “rule of three” that I try to apply. I ask these three questions:

1/ Does the assignment give me an opportunity to do some good work?

2/ Will I be well paid?

3/ Will the client be fun (or at least easy) to work with (and I mean “with” not “for”?)

If I can answer “yes” to two out of three, then I’ll take the assignment. If not – or if I have gut-feeling doubts – then I won’t.