How To Fire A Client Nicely Without Worry or Feeling Bad

When you’re working with clients, it’s important to be able to learn how to fire a client nicely or not so gently when necessary. But how do we know when is the right time and how to make it less stressful?

Firing a client is never an easy decision, but it needs to be done sometimes. There are many ways that can make this process less stressful for everyone involved including the rest of your team.

Being clear about expectations from day one will help keep things running smoothly if you’re working on projects together. Communicating why something isn’t worth completing anymore may allow another team member in the organization to take over without fuss or bother when necessary.

Sometimes an issue at work can make your blood boil and other times a client may surprise us with their creativity that takes over our project!

Have any of these situations happened recently where firing someone was necessary but wasn’t exactly joyous because they were such difficult people?

Why You Need To Learn How To Fire A Client

They say to never burn your bridges. You never know when you may need or want something in return from a former client. Needless to say, you may even work together again in some capacity. (Been there, done that!)

Some clients you really like as people. They ask about you with compassion and true care vs. small talk. Those are the ones you should really be working on within your business. This is especially true if you provide a service.

Your working relationship with them can make a huge difference to your bottom line as well as your sanity.

You really need to pick people you work with from the crowd today. Don’t say yes to everyone until you vet them out. Really understand what is it that they want from your products or services.

Then, you can price that product or service accordingly. Always remember, your time is your most valuable asset!

7 Signs To Ditch A Patron

1. You don’t like working with them.

When you dread taking calls from problem customers, it’s time for a change. If they call and get no response on the other end of their phone line then there must be something wrong in your client relationship.

If not why would I want to talk or meet up anymore?
“I’m sorry but we need some different strategies when working together.”

2. They can’t pay you enough!

There is no money in the world you could ask to make you want to continue the relationship. The extra time you are spending with this client or thinking about this client could be made up elsewhere. Not only that, but you would feel better and get more done in less time. 

3. They don’t listen to your recommendations.

You keep on recommending things to the client but they don’t listen. You wonder how to answer the questions. Or questions you on every item on the to-do list. 

Then, you begin to wonder, why am I here? Why did they hire me? That’s when it’s time to learn how to fire a disrespectful client. 

Everyone wants to feel appreciated and that includes you! 

4. They are micromanaging you.

Your customer keeps on telling you exactly what they want and they make you change it every time. They may even want to see your processes or paperwork along the way. It’s almost like they are doing the work! Why should you spend the time to do the work if they are doing it?

Hence, you could acquire a new better client with that time. Furthermore, you could charge more for the newer client.

You’d be happier and make more money at the same time once you learn how to fire a customer. If you have a team, the rest of your team will be happier too. 

5. Lost time with other patrons.

You are taking time away from other great buyers to help this person that doesn’t really want to be helped. This can lead to losing track of your goals.

Always remember to keep your business goals nearby for a quick check! Are you spending enough time with each account? Which ones are losing out on your time? Are you wrongfully spending too much time on them? 

6. The account stresses you out.

You just don’t work as well under stress. Some people love to stress others out to deflect their own stress and negativity. You could also learn how to deal with the negativity before ditching the client.

But if that doesn’t work it’s time to move on! You will produce better work when you feel your best. 

7. You begin to lose your own value.

This customer may make you feel inferior you lose your confidence. This is one of the worst things that can happen to a business owner or freelancer. It can violate your own values.

Once your confidence is gone, it takes time to build it back. Confidence doesn’t develop overnight. You’ll gain more once you learn how to end the relationship with that account. 

8. You are not doing what you are great at.

I’ve had a few accounts over the years that asked to me take on tasks that were really not what I wanted to do. It was not the best use of my time or effort. I’d have to stop what I loved doing for other clients and work on their special projects. If you find you are doing that, it’s time to say NO. It may be time to set up a termination meeting.

Of course, that is harder to do than giving advice, as I’ve learned over the years. However, it’s a necessity to prosper and grow your business and company property.  

What Happens After You Let Go Of A Bad Account?

Good things begin to happen 🙂 My hairdresser had a great story to share with me about this.

Her client was a very old lady whose daughter would bring her into the salon. She would demand her mom would need to be helped to go to the bathroom every 30 minutes. The wash, cut, and dry would take an extra 30-60 minutes every visit.

Not only that, but the daughter would call and cancel 30 minutes prior to a set appointment. This caused an hour and a half of time lost. Remember, time is money!

But it came to the point where the hairdresser dreaded the day when this customer had an appointment. She learned the elderly woman had a salon right at the nursing home.

With that knowledge, she told the daughter she could no longer handle this elderly woman’s needs at her salon. (She did not want to leave the elderly woman high and dry with her hair!)

Next, she had to learn how to fire an account. She wanted it done in good faith and fair dealing, of course. 

The Way to Fire Someone Nicely

My hairdresser finally did fire this client in a nice way. She made sure the elderly woman had services available to her before giving her the boot! Sometimes it is just not worth the paycheck.

If you are thinking of ditching one of your customers, make sure they have another avenue to use for your products or services. 

They will appreciate your care and concern for their business. After all, that’s why you took them on, to help them out!

The Results 

Smart, right? Now the hairdresser loves every day that she enters her salon. And guess what? 2 older clients moved back to town and she more than made up the money and time!

I hear stories like this all the time about how businesses grow after letting go of a bad client.

Firing a client nicely will give your business time to attract good things to happen in your business. Check out more tips on Sick and Tired of Dealing with Bad Clients from Small Biz Trends.

Harassment From Accounts You Manage

Sometimes there are exceptions. Likewise, if difficult accounts are really harassing you, then you have to let go not so politely. Those types of people that call you 24-7 and are demanding every hour of the day can border harassment.

It’s best to fire them immediately and not look back. You deserve better. Terminating the relationship will be the best thing to happen for you.  

FAQs  

Your Turn

Have you had to learn how to let an account go in your business? Had you seen the red flags from the beginning? I’d love to know more in the comments below about how the dismissal of a client went for you.