How to Deal with Bad Clients.

You need to accept that not all clients will be happy. I’ve had a few around me come to me asking me how to deal with a bad client - this part is not so fun in running a business but you have to know how to not only spot 1 but how to fire a client too.

After 10 years of working with clients, I’ve developed a great filter to avoid bad clients but you might get one that can’t stay accountable and won’t do the work and their expectations, regardless of how clear the scope is will blame you. It’s inevitable. 

Here’s first how you avoid bad clients & not so obvious Red Flags that you should be aware of: 

1. Do not compromise on your cost. What you charge should not be negotiated. - If they complain about the price, it means they are not ready to accept the work. This can be an issue later on. 

2. Have a very clear filter system for qualifying your leads - Do not just accept anyone who is interested in your services, do they tick all the boxes do they fit your target ideal aligned client?

3. If they don’t keep up comms well, it means they have life things that take priority right now, and you should not try to convince them otherwise. - Especially if they don’t take the action steps laid out, even in early stages of your agreement and getting that signed back by a certain time. 

These 3 are totally key red flags. I made the mistake of compromising on one & you end up chasing, pushing, trying to add more extra value but in the end no one will be happy. 

It’s better to say ‘No’ from the get go, and not allow the drain from experiencing a bad client negatively affect you. But if you have a bad client & you realize this is what you do: 

1. You can try to provide a suggested adjusted solution for ending. This is where you can adjust slightly and go the extra by providing an additional call and set out what can be done together. Ideally you raise the issue first, always be on the front foot of these communications. 

2. If that can’t be agreed on, you fire the client. - End amicably if possible. but you finish up no matter what the situation. You might think you need the income of that 1 client - you don’t.  Because the $$ you are compromising your mental energy for is blocking you from attracting better clients that are much more aligned who will pay you even more. 

3. You go back to the agreed scope - Given at the start you must get a contract signed stating what your expectations are. Highlight what’s been done within that & what was their responsibilities. A lot of the time they will not take accountability - but stand your ground here because it always takes 2 to tango. If you showed up to every call, provided them with the knowledge and resourcees but they chose to not take action that is on them - not you to compensate again for their laziness. 

It’s actually not talked about enough. Because everyone deals with clients. 

Tell me of a time you’ve had a bad client and how you had to deal with it?