> so you have at least some protection.
Protection from what exactly?
> Without multiple clients you are super fragile, don't have a strong negotiation position and in case of any kind of headwind you're immediately on the ropes.
Not at all. I can walk away and I have my financial reserves. My negotiation position is stronger than when I'm an employee.
> If you insist on doing long running contracts try getting two that do not overlap in terms of run-time, make one two days a week, the other two days a week or three days a week and bill the smaller job a higher rate.
This sounds like an absolutely terrible idea. I'm not going to undermine myself like that.
> They could stiff you on a bill and it would already pull you under water.
One (very small) client did stiff me on a bill. I won't work for them anymore, and I tend to prefer larger clients now that simply do pay their bills. I have considered suing them, but the amount was too small to be worth it. It didn't pull me under water.
Protection from what exactly?
> Without multiple clients you are super fragile, don't have a strong negotiation position and in case of any kind of headwind you're immediately on the ropes.
Not at all. I can walk away and I have my financial reserves. My negotiation position is stronger than when I'm an employee.
> If you insist on doing long running contracts try getting two that do not overlap in terms of run-time, make one two days a week, the other two days a week or three days a week and bill the smaller job a higher rate.
This sounds like an absolutely terrible idea. I'm not going to undermine myself like that.
> They could stiff you on a bill and it would already pull you under water.
One (very small) client did stiff me on a bill. I won't work for them anymore, and I tend to prefer larger clients now that simply do pay their bills. I have considered suing them, but the amount was too small to be worth it. It didn't pull me under water.