...assuming the money was near enough the same, would you give it up to work with a single client? Thinking about it, I initially thought I would. I could focus on one project and devote all my time to it. But then I realised I like working a small group of clients at once. Whilst I give less time to each client than I would working with just one, I enjoy the diversity in the projects. Anyone feel differently?
never! because anything can happen and then you are stuck...i would rather go back to working a JOB then have only one client that client can find another provider, go out of business, go broke, or just not like you anymore....and then what, your stuck looking for new clients. not to mention, you begin to think one dimensionally. When you have multiple clients, you look in multiple angles, and see various perspectives. you gain knowlege from several sectors, and it is this combined stream of information, that makes you provide a more dynamic service to all customers. never depend on just a few customers....when you learn the only constant is change, you see its a bad position to be in.
wait, the only exception is if its an insane amount of money....ie over 500k in 3-6 months. Then consider it (because its high dollar-short term)
If you're working for a big client which is more deserving of your time, delegate the other smaller clients to staff (but make sure your staff are as good, if not better than you are). No need to drop clients if you can still make money from them.
You are looking at a merrage. If you, and the client like each other? a lot, and you are allowed to be impowered in the overall success of the project or product? then you should do it. However, just between the two of you, put a simple contract relating to a time period together and do it. A little insurance can go a long way to protecting your portion of interest. We remember the day we stopped working for clients and became all about what we wanted to build and offer to the world on our own. We love it today this way.
Pretty much I would go with a combination of the above advice. If you have a single client offering to pay enough money guaranteed that you will more than make up for losing your other clients it would be something to consider. However multiple sources of income are always better than a single source. If you had to be forced to choose this option why not look into finding employees who would be able to handle your current clients for a decent % of the pay while you focus on your new 'main' client? This would allow you to both keep your current business, and while you would be making less off them as you have to support your employees, as well as be making more with the new client. This would give you a larger client list and more stable sources of income. If you have the ability to diversify as well as have multiple sources of income without selling yourself short on time and resources it would be the best way to go.
Just to clarify, i'm not asking for advice, simply wondered what other people's thoughts were. I've asked a few friends and the decision is actually split pretty much 50/50. Some actual like the thought of not having to juggle several clients at once, including all the paperwork to go with each client. As mentioned, I think the only way i'd do it was if the money was a substantial amount. Alternatively, out source 'regular' work, so there was still some income from these sources, whilst giving me the ability to work on a single project.