It’s late afternoon, you’re wrapping up your day, and a new message pops in: your client needs something completed by tonight.
Your chest tightens, your calendar flashes warnings, and you quietly think — I can’t say no, can I?
Hey, I’ve been there before. Unfortunately, more than a few, or even ten times. This is a really common scenario, and reflects how some clients see freelancers as robotic workers rather than real people.
Many freelancers, especially in their early days, find themselves frozen in this exact situation. It’s uncomfortable and often comes from a mix of excitement, inexperience, and unclear expectations.
Here’s what to do if someone sets you unrealistic deadlines.
Why 24 Hour Deadlines Feel So Common in Freelancing
There’s a reason last-minute requests happen more often than we’d like.
Sometimes it’s simply client culture — agencies and small businesses default to urgency. It’s time to send the last-minute work to the freelancer! It gets it off their plate quickly.
Other times, clients unconsciously treat freelancers as if they are employees, expecting instant availability, even outside of office hours.
For new freelancers, there’s an extra layer of pressure: the desire to appear reliable and competent. Especially if Upwork reviews are looming over you.
It’s easy to think that saying yes immediately will make you look professional. The tricky part? This can quickly turn into a pattern that silently erodes your time and peace of mind.
One Day Turnaround Is Not the Same as Same-Day Work
Even experienced freelancers sometimes confuse these terms.
A “one-day turnaround” typically means 24 hours from assignment to delivery, but clients might mean “as soon as possible,” often late in the day.
Sure, timewise, there’s only a couple hours of difference between them. But it matters when you’re in a time crunch.
When a task lands at 4:30 PM with a request to be done before 9 PM, that’s not one-day turnaround — it’s same-day pressure. Recognizing this difference is the first step to understanding what you can reasonably handle without overextending yourself.
What Is a “Normal” Turnaround Time for Freelancers?
Here’s the truth that no one likes to hear: there really isn’t one.
“Normal” is whatever works for your workflow and life.
Freelancers work in all sorts of ways, and what feels normal to one person may feel impossible to another. Some thrive on quick projects and same-day work. Others need space to plan, research, and produce quality results.
For most people, a 5–7 day window is ideal. It gives you time to think, create, and balance other commitments. It’s also more forgiving for clients, because the work can be thoughtful instead of rushed.
I’m a freelance writer. I’m usually available Monday to Friday. I can usually handle 24 hour deadlines, and do take them on. However, I much prefer my clients who give me 5-days of grace, and when I’m pitching new clients, I start the conversation by telling them I have an average turnaround time of 3 days.
How Constant 24 Hour Deadlines Lead to Burnout
Even if you enjoy the adrenaline of a last-minute project (and I know some of you daring readers do), consistently working under 24-hour deadlines can sneak up on you.
Evening work becomes routine, personal plans quietly disappear, and the anxiety of being “always available” builds.
When was the last time you hung out with your IRL friends?
Over time, this pressure can also affect your creativity, your focus, and even your relationship with clients, and that’s the one thing you want to protect.
Knowing the early signs of freelance burnout is essential for staying in the game long-term.
You Are Not an Employee, Even If It Feels Like It
And now for a quiet reminder. You’re a freelancer!
You are a business, not a staff member. Hourly rates and signed contracts can blur that line, especially when a client assumes constant availability.
You are allowed to set boundaries, communicate availability, and define what constitutes urgent work. Protecting your time is simply being professional, and clients should actually run from freelancers who don’t treat their work with this respect.
What to Say When a Client Sends Last-Minute Work
So, you’re facing the dreaded last-minute request.
Practical communication can prevent stress from turning into resentment.
For example:
- “I can have this ready by [reasonable deadline]. Does that work for you?”
- “I’m happy to do this tonight, but my rush fee for work outside normal hours is [X]. Let me know if you want to proceed.”
Yes, you can charge rush fees!
I didn’t do this for the first few years I was freelancing. But when I finally did mention them when negotiating, it made life much better. And no client ever asked to get rid of them! Charging an extra 10% of the fee when the work comes in last-minute feels much better.
But always get these in writing in a contract, or at least an email!
How to Set Better Boundaries Going Forward
Boundaries prevent future stress.
I know, I didn’t care to read about these when I first started freelancing, but take it from me, you need to set them.
A few approaches:
- Communicate your working hours clearly from the start.
- Update policies after a contract is signed if needed.
- Help clients understand how to work with you efficiently.
Most reasonable clients will respect your time once they know it exists. And the ones who don’t? They may not be worth the mental load. Speaking of…
When It Might Be Time to Step Back
Sometimes, repeated 24-hour deadlines are a sign of a bigger problem for your well-being and a sign of a poor client.
Chronic urgency, ignored boundaries, or feeling like an employee without benefits may mean it’s time to reevaluate the client relationship. Yes, we mean say no to the work! Gasp!
If a client doesn’t fit, why go through the stress? Believe it or not, there are others out there. You just need to send the right proposals to land compatible work.
Final Thoughts
Getting a last-minute request can feel overwhelming, especially if it happens often.
Take a breath. Set boundaries. Deliver good work on your terms.
And if the client doesn’t change? Tell them to take a hike!
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