I've been freelancing for a while. Here are a few ideas: (1) For every flat rate project, you need a way to counter endless lists of revisions. I recommend you

I've been freelancing for a while. Here are a few ideas: (1) For every flat rate project, you need a way to counter endless lists of revisions. I recommend your contract either having a cap on the maximum hours spent, or having an "n rounds of revisions" provision. (2) Only accept contracts from clients who are not emotionally attached to the project or to the money. (3) Charge higher rates. In general, clients willing to pay more per hour tend to respect your time and work more. (4) Change your pitch to make your client realize that hourly/daily/weekly rates are better for him, rather than flat prices. This is often easier than you might think. Flat rates tend to be more expensive (worst-case scenarios). And, pay-as-you-go is a LOT more flexible for your client than flat rates in terms of scope, etc. (5) If a project is not spec'd out in detail, insist on your client hiring you first to draft a detailed spec. You can use an appeal to authority, saying that you make high-quality products and this is the standard procedure for making high-quality work. Not only that, it ensures that you and your client are on the same page from the very beginning, and makes him think through the project in detail.