I love working with you guys… especially when I have new programs being launched because it allows me to engage with ya’ll at a much deeper  and more “hands on” level.   I am going to begin answering questions that come to me multiple times, in various ways, here on our blog.   Today, we’re covering:  How do you know when it’s time to fire a client? We’re going to also cover WHY and HOW to Fire a client.

Trust me, I know the feeling of wishing you could fire and walk away from a problem client, but feeling like you “need” the money… and so you stay.  THIS IS A MISTAKE.  You do not want clients who are time sucks, energy drains and — frankly — pains in the butt.  THEY ARE NOT WORTH IT.   They WHY of Why to fire a client is simple:

Bad, Unideal Clients Drain you of Energy, Time and Resources.  
They slow down your progress.
They rob you of creative energy.
They skim off of YOUR personal best, and this affects other clients.

I have the following “guidelines” that help me decide WHEN to fire a client:

The Rule of 3

The Rule of 3, which I believe I stole from Dan Kennedy,  goes something like this: If I am laying in my bed worrying over you, dreading our next interaction, or feeling anxious about you more than THREE times — and I’m not married to you, you didn’t give birth to me, or you don’t call me “Mom” —  I’m done. Dramatic? maybe… but this little rule has served me well.   I encourage you to adopt it and create a similar one of your own.

They’re Inconsistent in Payment.

I do not chase money.  Therefore, if I am constantly having to remind a client to pay, they pay late, they are not for me.  Rather than get frustrated with them, create a bunch of guidelines and reminders that irritate those who — cheerfully– pay on time without reminder,  or allow this to ruin a relationship, I simply refer them to someone else.

They want to be the exception.

“I know you don’t normally…. __{fill in the blank}_____, but I need _____{repeat the first fill in the blank.}____.”  Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I DO make exceptions. I have very few private clients so that I CAN make exceptions.  However, some people — I find — need to be validated by how willing I am to bend my own rules for them.   The intention behind the exception is WAY more important than the exception itself.

Now, these are MY guidelines. I encourage you to create your own… so that when these things begin to happen, you know it’s time to get rid of that client.   Here’s THE HOW:

I compete with myself regularly… comparing month to month against my own personal best. I don’t like “going backwards” in income… regardless of my need.   So, when I know I’m going to be firing a client, I begin looking for a replacement.  I announce to my waiting list that I’m going to be taking on a new client soon, and ask them to submit a bit about where they are and what they need, so I can choose a good fit.   So, Step one: replace that client, and give yourself a deadline for doing so.

Next, let your client know that the working relationship is coming to an end.  Give them a bit of advanced notice.  (i.e. Treat them the way you want to be treated!)  I like to soften this message by referring them to someone else so that you know they are still in good hands.

What other questions do you have on this topic?  Post them in the comments below.