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9 Signs a Client Is Not a Good Fit

It’s true, “All money ain’t good money.” A lot of the problems we endure with our nightmare clients could be avoided if we take the time to do a little research and take heed to the signs that they show us. Nearly all of my clients are a pleasure to work with, but I’ve also worked with a different type of client and I could just:

Sometimes we see signs and ignore them because we need the money, But I’ve learned one thing: Peace of mind beats ALL!

Here are 9 signs that a prospective client is going to be a PROBLEM.

  1. Communication issues.
    They are rude, have language barriers, are too busy to directly communicate, long periods of time without responding, don’t want to hop on a phone call, or do anything suspicious. Trust your gut. Communication issues lead to project issues.
  1. They’re trying to run the show.
    Yes, they’re a boss. Just not the boss of YOUR company. Clients who want to run the show tend to make their own rules, instead of following the protocol you already have set in place. This may also look like not wanting to sign a contract, changing the schedule and scope of the project (without compensation).
  1. Price haggling.
    Yesterday’s price is not today’s price! Trying to make you change your price lets you know they aren’t looking for quality, they are looking for a bargain.

  2. Unrealistic Expectations:
    These clients demand things to change overnight. And they want to rush your work.

  3. Know it all:
    They don’t understand what they need to hit their goal yet, they refuse to listen to a professional (you).

  4. The Disrespect!
    Disrespecting your business can look like being late to meetings, canceling meetings, ignoring business hours, constantly stepping out of a clearly outlined scope, or not submitting things you need before deadlines you’ve set and communicated.

  5. It doesn’t feel good. Or something’s off. 
    If there’s friction, they’re mean, overbearing, or (insert a feeling you don’t want to feel when dealing with a client), they aren’t a good fit. Anyone you work with should be a DREAM client. Dream clients are people who are in alignment with your values and offers. You are using your time, energy, genuineness, and resources to complete the project, service, product, event, (or whatever it is you contributing). Honor yourself. The time you spend together should be joyful and worth it.

    If you feel that something is not quite right with what they’re telling you or asking you to do… it’s probably not. You don’t want to be caught up in fraudulent activities. Again, trust your gut.
  1. They’ve been burned a lot. And they won’t let you forget it.
    You may have just met this client, but they won’t let you forget that they have been burned multiple times. As if you did it. That’s an indication that they have trust issues. If you’ve ever been in a relationship with someone who has trust issues, you understand how difficult it can be. Constantly reassuring, walking on eggshells, instead of moving freely and enjoying working together. This can also indicate that they don’t make great business decisions. If you’ve been burned 6 times, it’s probably you, Keisha. Not the business owners.

  2. They want the sun, the moon, and the stars. In one consultation call.
    You can utilize consultation calls to gauge if a client is a great fit for your offers. But every once in a while, you’ll come across a vulture. They’ll hop on the call as if they are interested in collaborating with you, only to try to get samples of your work for free or learn about how your business operates (your specific process, tools, client information, etc). They don’t have genuine intentions. End the call and BLOCK them from contacting you again. *Depending on how bad the interaction is, it may be a great idea to alert other professionals in the same niche.*

The moral of the story:

Don’t be afraid to turn away clients. Peace of mind is priceless. Taking on clients that you know aren’t a good fit, doesn’t turn out well. It usually results in slander to your / your business name, refunds, and energy depletion. *Cue the stress tears.* Take time to vet your clients, like they are taking the time to vet you. If you find yourself attracting tons of people who aren’t a great fit, look at your messaging + content.

Have you had a client from hell? I’d love to hear your story!

Drop it in the comment section below.

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