The best advice I ever received? Know when to say NO. And that includes saying no to bad clients!
It feels as though it is a risk-filled venture to dismiss any offer. After all, people lead to people. And you never want to be seen as someone with whom it is difficult to come to terms. That will surely mean people will no longer want to do business with you — Or so the nightmare would have you believe. GetCRM outlined 8 kinds of clients that you should avoid if you can AND if you want your career to run more smoothly. We’ve embedded the Infographic, below. It’s a light-hearted look at a serious subject, that we hope will make you smile. Click here to skip to it.
You Don’t Have To Say Yes!
Saying yes to every client will eventually cost you time, money, and the ability to accomplish what you truly want. Avoiding clients that are known as troublesome will save not only heartache and pain. It will also give you a chance to network with more compatible clients who could lead to better and more fruitful partnerships.
Like any relationship, being mired in a toxic environment makes you miss out on finding people with whom we work well.
How To Demur With Grace
The most important part of saying no is the language you use to dispatch the message. It is crucial not to indicate that you have misgivings about the client courting your services. When saying no, be concise, clear, and courteous. I suggest even offering to recommend someone (perhaps a friend who is a little more desperate than you) to take on a project.
An email template can be simple and might look something like:
Dear <name>
I thank you for reaching out to me with this opportunity. Regrettably, considering some of the logistics, I do not think that I would be the most ideal person for your needs.
It would, however, be my pleasure to try to point you in the right direction.
Below is a list of well-respected colleagues who would, I believe, be a better fit for what you are looking for.
Thank you again for your consideration,
What If You Do Not Have The Choice To Demur?
Certainly, there will be situations where you are forced through circumstance to work with difficult clients. They may be uncommunicative, too communicative, or have no idea what they want (or how to get it if they did).
When this happens, the most important strategy to use is preparedness. Set down protocols in advance that speak to a breakdown of your time and expected deliverables. Follow strict deadlines and milestones and make it clear that any milestone that is missed due to client misconduct will cost more money. It is true that enough money can solve any incompetence, but if you do not put together a simple agreement at the outset (and follow it closely), there will be no guidelines to turn to if a client starts behaving badly.
That being said, do what you can to make sure you work only with the best people. The best people will lead to more great clients.
8 Types Of Clients You Never Want To Work With – Infographic
To see this Infographic, and the original accompanying article, click here
Penny For Your Thoughts
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