In this article, I will talk about eight client types freelance designers should avoid. This isn't to say that these types of clients aren't right for somebody, or that they aren't nice people, but they may not be the best type of client for you. If you do work with one of these types of clients, things may end in an explosion. This is a great time to emphasize that you should always get a signed contract before starting any work - nobody is going to look out for you besides you.

The Charity Case

People who want something for nothing. All too often, when I first began freelancing, I'd be contacted by people who wanted free advice, or what amounted to SPEC work, before they would "go with me." Beware of these people because they will string you along until they get what they want, or until you won't give them anything else for free, and cut you loose. You'll know the charity case when you see that they aren't willing to pay your deposit fee.

The Waffler

People who can't tell you what they want. This is probably the most dangerous type of client on this list because you will never be able to finish a project with a waffler. One sign that you are dealing with a waffler is being told to "do whatever you think would be good" without getting the slightest hint of what direction they want you to take. You will never be able to satisfy a waffler because they don't know what they want themselves.

The Toddler

People who can't do anything for themselves. This type of client is going to be one of two things: lazy or incompetent. Either way, they will want you to do everything for them, even things they can do, or can learn to do. Depending on your patience, your schedule and their budget, this may not be a bad situation for you because you can potentially earn more money by doing everything for them.

The Chatterbox

People who like to talk way too much. This type of client, when asked a specific design related question, will waste your time by telling you about their entire day from start to finish and everything in between. If you get a call on your cell from the chatterbox, you are likely to run out of battery power before they run out of things to say. If you print an email from a chatterbox, it can easily take up 10 pages. You'll know them when you see them.

The Black Hole

People who take forever to respond. In space, real black holes are invisible - same thing with black hole client. This type of client will contact you once every 15 days or so, which is hardly efficient, and in the mean time you won't see hide nor hair of them. This type of client can be especially treacherous if you get stuck with them while you don't have much else to work on - you'll never be able to reach them to make any progress - or money.

The Caveman

People who aren't tech savvy. The caveman isn't someone who doesn't know much about technology or computers. The caveman is someone who refuses to learn. There's just no excuse for it these days and it will make your life miserable. You're not a computer teacher - you are a designer and that's what you should be paid for.

The Riddler

People who ask too many questions. Sometimes you will run into a person who asks question after question after question. Sometimes they want you to clarify something that has already been clarified and sometimes they ask questions that don't even need to be answered because they are irrelevant. Many times you will find that a riddler and a toddler are one in the same.

The Blind Bat

People who want to see more and more of your work. If you make your work available on your website and a potential client keeps asking to see more and more of your work - don't work with them. If they aren't happy with what they see, which is probably your best work, they aren't going to be happy with anything else you've got to show them.