[chris_hawk]

Right! Those are all perfect examples of the mental process that goes on when evaluating a client. I often manage to go through that process myself on the spot, but there are many other times when I don't or can't.

And more importantly, new freelancers rarely have the ability to make those evaluations on the fly.

I sense that this is not your first rodeo! :)

[damoncali]

I've been at this a while ;)

But I think even new freelancers need to just trust their gut. If it sounds flakey, it generally is.

[chris_hawk]

Speaking as someone who mentors a number of new freelancers, often the LAST thing you want them to do is trust their gut! :)

[damoncali]

I might take for granted that I have an MBA, and worked quite a bit in other fields before I started freelancing. Might be entirely different for a younger person just starting out.