We’ve all said yes to freelance gigs that, in retrospect, we wish we’d said no to. Bad clients, bad pay, bad projects. Ouch, ouch, ouch.

We've also had great projects that make us thank goodness we're freelancers: jobs that cause us to look upon the poor 9 to 5 lemmings with a mixture of pity and smugness.

But how do we tell the difference between the good projects and the bad projects? When the phone rings with a new gig our first instinct is to say yes, but how do we ensure that we're making a wise decision?

There is a simple rule of thumb you can use to determine which jobs to take, and which to turn down. Consider these three factors:

1. Will it advance your career/have networking benefit?
2. Will you earn decent money?
3. Will it be fun?

We all have our own definitions of what constitutes career advancement, decent money, or fun. I won't attempt to define those for you.

But I will tell you what you can do the next time a potential client calls with a job.

Keep these three factors in the back of your mind as you talk to your potential client. The more you learn, the more you'll see if the project actually does offer career advancement or decent money or fun.

And if a job looks like it will offer at least TWO of the above, it’s probably worth taking.

Career advancement and fun = probably worth taking.
Career advancement and decent money = probably worth taking.
Decent money and fun = probably worth taking.

If it offers only ONE of the above, it’s probably best to leave it for the next guy.

And of course, if it offers all THREE, then jump on it. Quickly!

Seems too simple to be effective? Try testing it against your own freelance experience.

Think back to some of the good, bad, and ugly projects in your freelancing past, and apply this rule of thumb to them.

You’ll probably find there is a correlation. The best jobs offered two or three benefits, and the worst offered one or (gasp) none.

Now, remember that this is only a rule of thumb. It is helpful as a starting point, but of course it is not the only thing to consider when making a decision.

Sometimes, one factor can outweigh all the others.

For example if you're just starting out in the film business and you get an offer:

Making coffee for $8 an hour: Decent money = No, Fun = No.

But you're making coffee for Stephen Spielberg: Career advancement/networking = YES!

Suddenly the rule of thumb does not apply. "Milk and sugar, Mr. Spielberg?"

But I'd be willing to bet that these sorts of situations are few and far between.

Most of the time, you'll talk to your potential client, compare the job against the three factors, and be able to make your decision quickly and easily.

Part of being successful is knowing when to say "No thanks". Saying no to some jobs keeps you available for better jobs, jobs that allow you to focus on what's right for you as you build your long-term freelance career.

Here's hoping all your jobs are threes…

Mark Dugas is a producer and editor of documentary films, the devoted father of two young boys, a decent snowboarder and mountain-biker, and one hell of a nice guy.