Working With Clients, Not Just For Them

In any creative industry, the relationship between a freelancer and a client can make or break a project. Over the years, I’ve learned that the most successful collaborations happen when you’re not just working for a client but working with them.

We all know that things don’t always go to plan. That’s life—and business. Tech glitches happen. Deadlines shift. Creative ideas sometimes miss the mark on the first draft. But what really matters isn’t the setback itself—it’s how you respond to it. And when you’re working with clients who trust you, who collaborate with you, and who see you as part of their team, solving problems becomes so much easier.

Trust Is Everything

Trust is the foundation of any good working relationship. When a client knows your skills, your work ethic, and your values, they trust you to do what you do best. They’ll also trust you to fix things when something doesn’t quite go as planned.

I’ve been lucky to work with clients who know me, trust me, and stick with me for the long haul. Many of them have become more than clients—they’re long-term collaborators, partners, and even friends. They understand that creativity is a process, not a perfectly straight line. When we hit a challenge, we tackle it together, and that’s when the best results are achieved.

It’s one of the reasons I value word-of-mouth referrals so much. When someone refers me to a colleague or a friend, it’s not just a recommendation of my skills—it’s a recommendation of me as a collaborator.

The Difference Between Collaboration and Blame

Every project, no matter how well-planned, will have its challenges. Deadlines might get tight, files might corrupt, or creative feedback might require extra revisions. In those moments, having the right client makes all the difference.

A great client doesn’t point the finger when something goes wrong. Instead, they lean in and collaborate to find a solution. They see you as a partner, not just a service provider. This mindset creates an environment where you’re free to be proactive, take responsibility, and find creative fixes without the fear of blame or frustration hanging in the air.

It’s not about avoiding challenges—it’s about how you react to them as a team. And when you’re working with the right people, those challenges turn into opportunities to build trust and create something even better.

The Joy of Working With Clients

I’ve been fortunate to work on so many exciting and diverse projects—podcasts, event films, weddings, video content for not-for-profits, and more. No project is too big, too small, or too unusual. And the ones that stand out the most aren’t just about what we created—they’re about how we created it, together.

When you work with a client rather than for them, you become invested in their goals, their vision, and their success. You share wins, you learn from mistakes, and you build something meaningful together.

These relationships lead to better results, because creativity thrives in a space of mutual trust and respect. It’s no coincidence that many of my longest-running clients have also become friends—they’re the people who value collaboration and trust as much as I do.

Building Relationships That Last

The freelance world can feel transactional at times, but it doesn’t have to be. Working with the right clients turns transactions into partnerships and projects into relationships. When you’re both invested, the work is better, the challenges are easier to overcome, and the process is far more enjoyable.

If there’s one lesson I’ve learned, it’s this: choose clients who see you as part of their team. Build relationships based on trust, communication, and a shared desire to make something great. Whether you’re creating a podcast, filming an event, or editing video content, collaboration will always take you further than working alone.

At the end of the day, the best work happens when you’re not just delivering a project—you’re creating something together.