Paolo, you often provocatively say that freelancers with only one client aren’t really freelancers, but more like bloodsuckers. What do you mean by that?

When I say freelancers with only one client aren’t real freelancers, and I use that provocative term "blood suckers," it’s because they’re not embracing the true spirit of freelancing—they’re clinging to the security of a traditional job while masquerading as independent. Freelancing is about freedom, autonomy, and diversification. It’s about being in control of your work, your time, and your destiny. When a freelancer relies on just one client, they’re not really free—they’re in a dependent relationship that looks a lot like a regular job without the benefits.

Here’s the harsh reality: if you’re only working for one client, you’re at their mercy. You’re not truly independent. You’re stuck in a pseudo-employment situation where you’re still beholden to someone else for your livelihood, without the protections that come with being a traditional employee—like health insurance, paid time off, or job security. And that’s the core issue. You’re taking the risks of freelancing, like lack of security, but without reaping the rewards of diversification and freedom. You’re just extracting what you need from that client, hence the term "blood sucker." You’re feeding off one source, but not contributing to the broader value freelancers are supposed to offer—variety, adaptability, and multi-client expertise.

Freelancing is supposed to be about flexibility. It’s about building a portfolio of clients, not putting all your eggs in one basket. When you have multiple clients, you spread your risk. You’re not dependent on the whims of one company or person. If one client leaves, you’re not in crisis mode because you have others. That’s true freedom. But when freelancers lean on just one client, they’re replicating the employee-employer dynamic without the benefits or growth opportunities that come with actually being an employee.

And here’s another part of it: you’re not growing if you only have one client. You’re locking yourself into one way of working, one industry, one perspective. Freelancers should be expanding their horizons, taking on different kinds of projects, working with diverse teams, learning from different sectors. That’s where the value of freelancing lies—not in staying comfortable with one client who pays your bills, but in pushing your limits, expanding your skills, and constantly adapting to new challenges.

You also have to think about the client’s perspective. If you’re a freelancer relying on one client for all your income, you’re probably not bringing the outside ideas, innovation, and cross-industry insights that a true freelancer should be bringing. You’re not challenging them with fresh perspectives, because you’ve become too enmeshed in their way of doing things. You’re not delivering the unique value that comes from having multiple clients and experiences, and that’s where you start losing your edge.

Now, let’s get real about why this happens: it’s comfort and fear. Freelancers with only one client are clinging to the safety of knowing where their next paycheck is coming from. But that’s the same fear that keeps people stuck in traditional jobs they hate. It’s fear of the unknown, fear of the hustle required to build a diversified client base, fear of rejection. But that fear? It’s exactly what you need to push through if you want to truly embrace the freelance life. Otherwise, you’re just playing it safe under the label of "freelancer."

True freelancers don’t rely on one client—they’re masters of their craft, constantly evolving, taking on different projects, balancing multiple clients, and creating value across the board. That’s where the power lies in freelancing: in diversity. Diversity of clients, of industries, of projects. It’s not about clinging to one safety net—it’s about building multiple safety nets through the value you create and the relationships you forge.

So when I say a freelancer with one client isn’t a real freelancer, I’m challenging them to step up. Don’t hide behind the label of "freelancer" while still acting like an employee. Don’t suck the lifeblood out of one client while pretending you’re independent. You want to be a real freelancer? Diversify your work. Take risks. Expand. That’s what freelancing is truly about: creating your own path, not leaning on one company for your survival.