What is real is that we usually know the client is going to be trouble before we take them on... SO..... sometimes it is self inflicted. We have taken to just not taking on clients we know out the gate are going to be impossible to please or deal with. A good indicator is ...... "Hi, your the 5th designer that I am trying to hire to do this job. "
But sometimes you have to fire a client....
This definitely happens from time to time, however I think this necessity is far better than suffering through projects with clients that just don't get it. Our typical approach is to give a refund (where appropriate). Then we let the client know that while we appreciate their business, we do not feel we can meet the unique needs they have and that is likely better to seek our another solution. We will usually tell them that sometimes it is just not a good fit for us, or them.
Recently we fired a client that paid consistently late 3-4 weeks, and also set expectations far beyond the contract. So we were able to explain the situation to them. Subsequently, they really wanted to work with us, so they committed to paying on time and expecting only what our contract stated.
That said, firing a client can be a great relief. Usually when a client is to the point of being fired... they are the one client keeping you up at night, absorbing extremely unreasonable amounts of your time and your teams time, they are the client that doesn't know what they want until they "see" it, your on revision number 75 over the course of 4 months. It is clearly not fair to you or them. Firing a client when the writing is on the wall is far batter for all concerned verses drawing it out.
I typically tell them that we are no longer a good fit for their specific needs and include 2 or 3 referral companies that I think will better suit them.
It depends on the situation. If a client is more difficult and demanding that the average client, I will often raise my rates for them. I decide what would be appropriate compensation for the extra trouble and effort required. If the client balks, then I wish them well. If they accept my higher rate, then I enjoy the "aggravation fee".
When it comes any kind of relationship, it's all about trying to make a good fit. If a business relationship is untenable and must be severed, I tell the client that I don't feel like we are the right fit for each other and wish them luck.
They know when they're not a good fit but often keep doing business because it would cost them more to go elsewhere or they're to lazy to find another provider. Just let them know you feel they need to find another provider and they have until XX date to do so.
You named telling clients they need to find another provider by a date—because they often know they’re not a fit but keep going anyway. That's mid hard-conversation practice — not a found-tribe essay.
FloScope ECC & LMN™ is a Life Mastery Society practice group. Hard-talk practice, not a found-tribe celebration.
You named having a candid conversation with options—change the situation, raise rates, or 30 days to find someone else. That's the hard-conversation muscle — mid-struggle, not a celebration post.
FloScope ECC & LMN™ is a Life Mastery Society practice group. Hard-talk practice, not a found-tribe celebration.
Door: https://floscope.life — 7 days free, then Basic $2.99/mo. Start 7-day trial if useful.
You named raising rates for demanding clients—or telling them you don’t feel like the right fit and wishing them luck. That's mid hard-conversation practice — not a found-tribe essay.
At FloScope.life, FloScope ECC & LMN™ is a Life Mastery Society practice group — weekly lab, rooms, writing — for the hard conversation you're already in.
You named telling clients you’re no longer a good fit for their needs—and including 2–3 referral companies who might suit them better. Mid hard-conversation practice — not a found-tribe essay.
I'm Sean. FloScope ECC & LMN™ is a Life Mastery Society practice group for people already mid the hard talk at home or at work.
You named the “We need to talk” conversation for salvageable clients—then probation up to 3 months if the talk goes ok. That's the hard-conversation muscle — mid-struggle, not a celebration post.
At FloScope.life, FloScope ECC & LMN™ is a Life Mastery Society practice group — weekly lab, rooms, writing — for the hard conversation you're already in.
You named fired a late-paying client who set expectations beyond contract—then had the fit talk and, when they recommitted to pay on time and stay in scope, kept them. That's mid hard-conversation practice — not a found-tribe essay.
I'm Sean. FloScope ECC & LMN™ is a Life Mastery Society practice group for people already mid the hard talk at home or at work.
Door: https://floscope.life — 7 days free, then Basic $2.99/mo. Start 7-day trial if useful.
Answers (1-10)
What is real is that we usually know the client is going to be trouble before we take them on... SO..... sometimes it is self inflicted. We have taken to just not taking on clients we know out the gate are going to be impossible to please or deal with. A good indicator is ...... "Hi, your the 5th designer that I am trying to hire to do this job. "
But sometimes you have to fire a client....
This definitely happens from time to time, however I think this necessity is far better than suffering through projects with clients that just don't get it. Our typical approach is to give a refund (where appropriate). Then we let the client know that while we appreciate their business, we do not feel we can meet the unique needs they have and that is likely better to seek our another solution. We will usually tell them that sometimes it is just not a good fit for us, or them.
Recently we fired a client that paid consistently late 3-4 weeks, and also set expectations far beyond the contract. So we were able to explain the situation to them. Subsequently, they really wanted to work with us, so they committed to paying on time and expecting only what our contract stated.
That said, firing a client can be a great relief. Usually when a client is to the point of being fired... they are the one client keeping you up at night, absorbing extremely unreasonable amounts of your time and your teams time, they are the client that doesn't know what they want until they "see" it, your on revision number 75 over the course of 4 months. It is clearly not fair to you or them. Firing a client when the writing is on the wall is far batter for all concerned verses drawing it out.
I typically tell them that we are no longer a good fit for their specific needs and include 2 or 3 referral companies that I think will better suit them.
It depends on the situation. If a client is more difficult and demanding that the average client, I will often raise my rates for them. I decide what would be appropriate compensation for the extra trouble and effort required. If the client balks, then I wish them well. If they accept my higher rate, then I enjoy the "aggravation fee".
When it comes any kind of relationship, it's all about trying to make a good fit. If a business relationship is untenable and must be severed, I tell the client that I don't feel like we are the right fit for each other and wish them luck.
They know when they're not a good fit but often keep doing business because it would cost them more to go elsewhere or they're to lazy to find another provider. Just let them know you feel they need to find another provider and they have until XX date to do so.
Eric —
You named telling clients they need to find another provider by a date—because they often know they’re not a fit but keep going anyway. That's mid hard-conversation practice — not a found-tribe essay.
FloScope ECC & LMN™ is a Life Mastery Society practice group. Hard-talk practice, not a found-tribe celebration.
If useful: Start 7-day trial at https://floscope.life → Basic $2.99/mo.
Lab 1 Tue 29 Sep 1–3pm ET · https://FloScope.life week free
Sean Claesgens
FloScope.life
Monte —
You named having a candid conversation with options—change the situation, raise rates, or 30 days to find someone else. That's the hard-conversation muscle — mid-struggle, not a celebration post.
FloScope ECC & LMN™ is a Life Mastery Society practice group. Hard-talk practice, not a found-tribe celebration.
Door: https://floscope.life — 7 days free, then Basic $2.99/mo. Start 7-day trial if useful.
Lab 1 Tue 29 Sep 1–3pm ET · https://FloScope.life week free
Sean Claesgens
FloScope.life
David —
You named raising rates for demanding clients—or telling them you don’t feel like the right fit and wishing them luck. That's mid hard-conversation practice — not a found-tribe essay.
At FloScope.life, FloScope ECC & LMN™ is a Life Mastery Society practice group — weekly lab, rooms, writing — for the hard conversation you're already in.
7 days free at https://floscope.life → then Basic $2.99/mo.
Lab 1 Tue 29 Sep 1–3pm ET · https://FloScope.life week free
Sean Claesgens
FloScope.life
John —
You named telling clients you’re no longer a good fit for their needs—and including 2–3 referral companies who might suit them better. Mid hard-conversation practice — not a found-tribe essay.
I'm Sean. FloScope ECC & LMN™ is a Life Mastery Society practice group for people already mid the hard talk at home or at work.
If useful: Start 7-day trial at https://floscope.life → Basic $2.99/mo.
Lab 1 Tue 29 Sep 1–3pm ET · https://FloScope.life week free
Sean Claesgens
FloScope.life
Mark —
You named the “We need to talk” conversation for salvageable clients—then probation up to 3 months if the talk goes ok. That's the hard-conversation muscle — mid-struggle, not a celebration post.
At FloScope.life, FloScope ECC & LMN™ is a Life Mastery Society practice group — weekly lab, rooms, writing — for the hard conversation you're already in.
Practice door: 7 days free → Basic $2.99/mo at https://floscope.life.
Lab 1 Tue 29 Sep 1–3pm ET · https://FloScope.life week free
Sean Claesgens
FloScope.life
Joseph —
You named fired a late-paying client who set expectations beyond contract—then had the fit talk and, when they recommitted to pay on time and stay in scope, kept them. That's mid hard-conversation practice — not a found-tribe essay.
I'm Sean. FloScope ECC & LMN™ is a Life Mastery Society practice group for people already mid the hard talk at home or at work.
Door: https://floscope.life — 7 days free, then Basic $2.99/mo. Start 7-day trial if useful.
Lab 1 Tue 29 Sep 1–3pm ET · https://FloScope.life week free
Sean Claesgens
FloScope.life