The power dynamic between a freelancer and client generally leans towards the client.
It’s the client who decides whether or not to give you the project, and they also get to determine the budget.
Granted, if you’re a triple-A writer or designer, you’ll weald a little more power.
But for the rest of us?
A lot of it comes down to mindset.
If you think you have to bend to every whim of your clients, you do.
If you believe you have no power within the relationship, you don’t.
Strangely, when the balance of power leans away from you, it’s often less about the client insisting on power, and more about you denying it.
Because you do have power.
After all, the client came to you because they didn’t have your skillset within their company. They need your skills.
Step one is simply to believe in yourself and your value.
Give yourself a good talking to and remind yourself of the skills you bring to the table.
And if a little self talk doesn’t do the trick, here is a simple change you can make to how you start working with every new client.
Present your own set of business onboarding documents.
This is a powerful way to signal to both your clients and to yourself that you are a fellow professional of equal standing.
Instead of waiting for a new client to send over the paperwork, step up with your own.
“I have a Contract prepared, if you’d like me to send it over.”
“I have an NDA document I can complete and sign, if that’s something you want for this project.”
“I have a workflow document, which helps bring some clarity to how I work with my clients.”
“I have an AI Policy document, if you’d like to know where and how I use AI.”
Often, just one or two of these documents will suffice for any given project. And sometimes the client will ask that you use their documents, which have been approved by their own lawyers.
But the fact that you have these documents, and are ready to step up with them, sends an important signal.
It says, “I’m a fellow professional.”
And, ”I control my own work practices.”
Do this at the very outset of your relationship, you’ve set the balance of power within a comfortable middle ground.
This is just one way to establish your own sovereignty
In my latest course, the Sovereign Freelancer, I explore many ways in which you can take more control of your freelance life, and your relationships with your clients.
Also, included with the course is an onboarding document package, which includes all the documents listed above.