Are you feeling used, abused, and unappreciated? Well, you don’t need to. It’s time to fire a client!
When you are a new business owner, you sometimes feel a sense of desperation. You hold on to clients that you would never work with when times are good because you are new and feel as though they are needed in order to propel your company. The fact of the matter is, most clients that are uncooperative, disrespectful and fail to meet their obligations (especially in regards to payment) are only going to slow you down.
You deliver value, they deliver grief
True story. A client that I recently let go had their entire network fail. Luckily it was on a Friday. Unluckily for me, I spent 12+ hours of my time fixing it over the weekend. Keep in mind, I was on a retainer contract so I was severely devalueing myself because of the time spent, but I’m a man of my word and I wanted to give great value.
The problem was due to antiquated equipment, and one of their routers ended up dying a slow, horrible, and painful death. It would work, then an hour later it would stop. Back and forth I drove, every day over the weekend. When I finally fixed it in the morning the first business day (before starting operations), I was greeted with frustration by the client and semi-condescending remarks thoughout the rest of the week.
Oh, I forgot to mention that they were almost 2 months overdue on their payments at that time.
It’s not always roses, but you are in control
As long as you meet your commitments, you have every right to cut your ties with a client if they are not meeting theirs. They do not control your success – YOU DO! Yes, they may have your money that you worked hard for. Yes, they may know other companies that can use your services. But all of that is vacuous if they are only going to waste your time and hold it over your head.
Tips to prevent bad client relationships or to fire clients
- Ask for at least half of your fee up front. If they aren’t willing to pay have, they aren’t willing to pay at all.
- Be firm up front that if you are not paid at the specified times, work will cease (have this in your contract).
- Always have joint responsibilities in your contracts. If a customer don’t deliver things in order for you to complete work, that’s not your problem.
- Consistently ask for feedback in writing. If the relationship goes south, you can show that it’s not because you’ve delivered poor service.
- Have your virtual assistant make reminder calls or emails for payment.
- If you do fire a client, let them know that you still expect payment for your services rendered.
- Keep your head up!
If you are delivering an insane amount of value to your customer, you have no reason to be treated with disrespect and contempt. The whole reason you started this business was to be in control and be happy, right?
Have a your own story about firing a client? Let everyone know in the comments!
