Clients are the best — until they aren’t. 😉
But how do you know when it’s time to fire them? What are those so-called “red flags”?
In my years of being self-employed and in a position in a company where I was responsible for client relationships, here the five signs that help me understand when it’s time to consider parting ways:
🚩 They don’t treat your staff well. If you have a client that creates a tough working environment, or treats you well but is unkind to your staff, it’s never a good sign.
🚩They don’t align with your values. Maybe you’ve made it clear that you value collaboration but your client still does everything behind a curtain. Or, perhaps transparency is a core part of how you do business, but you feel like you’re always being kept in the dark. If you feel in your gut that something’s wrong, it usually is.
🚩They’re disrespectful of your time. This might mean being late to meetings or tardy with materials you need. It may mean not making the best use of scheduled meetings or brainstorming sessions. Again, it’s all about respect, and they’re implying through their actions that your time isn’t valuable.
🚩They’re consistently a squeaky wheel. You know those clients that make up 20% of your business but take of 80% of your focus and energy. It’s typically a percentage that doesn’t get better over time.
🚩They pay late, or they challenge what you bill. Of course, mistakes happen and payments can get missed from time to time — but if they consistently pay late even after having a conversation about it, it’s another situation that most likely won’t get better. You provide value — and should be compensated for it!
It’s not easy to let a client go. There’s always a voice in the back of your head (at least, there’s one in the back of mine!) saying, “Oh, it’s not that bad,” or “I can deal with it,” or “Okay, but where am I going to find another client? But I promise you, they can be replaced.
And, your energy and time are finite. You deserve more.
What are some of your client red flags?
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