I stopped chasing every client and my income went up 30%

Used to take any project that came my way, even the low paying ones. Started saying no to anything under $75 an hour about eight months ago. Now I have fewer clients but better ones. Anyone else find that being pickier actually helps you earn more?

4 comments

4 Comments

eva_moore21d ago

Yeah my buddy did the same thing, dropped all his cheap clients and now he's booked solid with better projects.

craig.viola21d ago

Honestly that "dropped all his cheap clients" move is a real pattern. I see it with the small businesses around here too, they stop taking the low paying hassle jobs. Tbh it almost always works out better for them in the long run.

wren23021d ago

Okay but "booked solid with better projects" can be a trap. What happens when those few fancy clients all decide to leave or cut their budgets at the same time? Dropping all your cheap work means you put all your eggs in one basket. A mix of clients keeps the lights on during slow months. I've seen guys go all in on the high end and then get totally wrecked by one canceled contract.

shane_bell7d ago

Booked solid with better projects" sounds great until it isn't. I saw a local web guy do this, only took on three big retainer clients. When one pulled out to hire an in-house team, he had zero income for two months straight. He had to scramble to find any work, even the cheap stuff he used to hate. That safety net of smaller jobs actually pays the rent when the big dream client suddenly leaves.