Of course you want some large clients for your freelancing business. Large clients are often more stable, tend to pay more, and their projects may even add some name recognition value to your portfolio.

In general, having big clients is a good thing. Freelancers often ask how they can attract more large clients. That’s why we devoted a post to approaching big clients.

Smaller clients, on the other hand, tend to be overlooked. Rarely have we heard freelancers ask the question: “how can I find some more very small clients to work with.” Some freelancers even refuse to do business with small clients–choosing to focus exclusively on larger companies instead.

Here are some advantages to working with small businesses:

1. Smaller companies grow. Steve Jobs reportedly started Apple computers in a garage. Microsoft also started small. Today, both companies are mega-sized corporations. How would you like to have worked with either of those companies in the early years? That small client you refused to work with this year might become a corporate giant next year.

2. People change jobs. Just because the individual who contacts you works for a small company now doesn’t mean that he or she always will. In a few months or years, he or she may find a new, larger employer. If you treat them well at the small company, they’re more likely to take your business card with them to the large company.

3. You can interact directly with the decision-maker. A definite advantage of working with a small company is that you can often speak directly with the decision maker. There is no level of middle management between you. The decision to use your services as well as the decision to finalize your project can be made quickly.

4. They are often overlooked. Sadly, smaller clients are often snubbed by freelancers who think that taking on a small project isn’t worth their time. If you do accept projects from small companies they are more likely to realize that you are taking a risk with them and appreciate your effort.

5. Everybody knows somebody. Even though your client may be small, that doesn’t mean that everyone he or she knows is in a small company. Your client’s neighbor or family member may be the decision maker at a large company. Do a good job for them and they may provide you with a lucrative referral down the road.

6. Can become part of your unique selling proposition. The fact that you accept small clients can become part of your unique selling proposition. I once saw this phrase on a competitor’s site and it impressed me as being different: “no project too small.” What a relief that phrase must be to a small company who is having trouble finding someone to accept his or her project.

7. Just because they’re small doesn’t mean they don’t have money. While many small companies that are startups do operate on a shoestring, that’s not always the case. The small company may have received funds through a grant or through venture capital and their project may be nearly as well funded as a project from a larger corporation.

Of course, including small businesses in your client base doesn’t necessarily mean that you should only pursue small clients. Ideally, most freelancers will want a mix, although a few may choose to make working with small businesses their specialty.