Least Favorite Part of The Job?

Yea, dealing with clients can be a pain, depending on who you're dealing with.

A famous actor, I am pretty sure it was Christopher Walken but could have been Al Pacino, was on Inside the Actor's Studio. The host asks him what his favorite part of the job was. The actor says excitedly, "Working!" Next question from the host: "And your least favorite?" Reply in depressed tone:"Working."

Clients are not my issue. The work is. It's time-consuming, intense, draining, and requires ALL of my attention. To keep up with new developments, such as split testing results, requires a ton of effort.

On the plus side, it pays very well--I make far more in much less time than in other roles. And because I have much more control over the process and output here, I have greater control over the results.

If you are finding yourself tied up with timewasters too often, deal with it up front: "Mr. Prospect, before we go into any discussion about your project, I need you to know my minimum fee is $5000. If you don't believe your project supports that, or you just can't afford it, you should let me know right now. Then I may be able to refer you to a lower-level writer who may still be able to get you results, but will fit better into you budget."

Have that trusted, competent lower-level writer waiting in the wings, and take a commission from the referral.