Your mom and dad always told you not to talk to strangers. Well, on the internet everyone is a stranger except for the people you really know. Chatting and IM is fun with them, plus you can count on them for something as you’ve build trust up over years.

But how do you know if the others will be there for you as you have been there for them?

I’ve seen many types of people come and go on my IM/Buddy/Email list, unsuprisingly most of them left after they got what they wanted from me - I’m talking about favors here. {Clients have a right to leave once you’ve done your job. Thank goodness for that.} The ones that I did favors for never bother to return any calls from my side. Maybe I’m just too nice, or maybe its because that most people find it harder to give than take. Does that make them leeches? Well, in most cases - yes.

So here are 5 types of people you should stay away from, at all costs, on the web. I may sound anti-social here, but the truth of the matter is experience is your best teacher. I have over 6 years of internet experience, so it should count for something. Some of the types are only met by freelancers, some are just all over the place.

Are These Guys On Your IM/Buddy List?

1. The Freeloader - This type of person will ask you for favors by trying to give you something back in return which has little, to no benefit as compared to what you are providing him/her. These type of people usually find you through forums or sites where you leave your name and/or link behind, or from your blog. Trying to strike up a conversation first by email and then proceed to add you to their buddy list. They’ll barter an exchange and then you’re in the loop. So the next time someone says, “Hey, I can do A for you if you do B for me” Pretty soon you’ll realize that A is practically worth nothing, while you’ve already started giving him C, D, E, F… favors. This person will clearly look for the most benefit you can provide him, just don’t expect anything back from him.

2. The Leecher - This person will never stop taking until one day he’s had enough and will fall off you without even saying goodbye. Here usually it’s your fault as you try to be nice and do whatever you can because either he keeps promising something, or you think he might be of benefit to you later on. Pretty soon once he’s had his fill, he’s gone. If he still happens to remain on your IM list by some fluke don’t even bother asking him for anything as he’s already leeching on someone else. If you do not remove him from your list he might just make his way back to you again. So get rid of him now.

3. Insatiable Clients - If you work as a freelancer you probably have had clients who have maxed you out on the number of re-do’s imaginable on a project. Not only that, once a project is done and signed off they’re back again expecting you to provide life long support - at no extra charge. If you try and run a nominal charge by them, they start crapping all over you. Saying how “unprofessional” you are and that they can get anybody to do it for half your price, blah, blah, blah… This type of person will never be happy. You have to make a firm stand with this one. Don’t let the empty threats worry you. Everyone can presume to be a fiery monster over the net, in reality they’re just cheap.

4. The “Remember Me” type - OK, so you did something for me like a year ago. Don’t knock on my screen and ask me for an urgent favor now. That’s just rude. If a favor was done ask for something back no later than a few weeks down the line, no more. The worst thing is they’ll usually pop up at the most inopportune moment. I don’t mind giving back a favor, just don’t expect me to jump as soon as you decide to re-appear again.

5. The Ignoramus Type - Say you meet someone on the web and they start all the sweet talk you can handle. You eventually end up giving some money away, you can kiss it goodbye if you were expecting to get it back. This type is also usually found with a client you may get over the web. He will never talk to you when he owe you money. You would think he died and left his computer or on something. Buzz him, email him, send him tons of messages he just won’t budge. Don’t forget though, he’s working on tiring you out. Just be as persistent at getting your money as he persistent about not giving it.

You are probably asking yourself, “How do I know when someone fits the above descriptions?”. Well, that comes with experience.

Don’t just add someone to your IM list because they asked you to. Does it benefit you in anyway? Are you really that lonely? If the person wants to be all friendly and is just looking for networking, make up an excuse saying you don’t spend much time on IM. Be blunt and be honest.

If it’s a client, just make sure you get paid and then take yourself off their radar.

About the author

Hyder has been blogging for the past two years on this blog. He started Weborithm, his web company, in 2007 and along with designing blogs and websites also releases various web related products.