You Don't Need the Aggravation: When to Fire a Client

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These are the clients that act like they are your only client. They will send you short one-line emails throughout the day and/or call you at odd hours and expect a prompt response. They will also be the last to pay you. Eventually, your entire work day will revolve around these 1 or 2 clients. You will lose sight of your other quiet and paying clients because all you can see is those D grade clients in your email inbox and your call display. Your work day will begin and end with them talking to you on your cell phone on the way to your office and then back home. CUT THEM LOOSE. Once you do so, you will be able to see all that you lost with your good clients and what you were about to lose in the future with new clients. Being a small business owner, you will feel bad at the time for sending back money from a paying client; however, in the future, you will only benefit. *If you are an attorney, be weary of Grade D clients as they WILL BE THE ONES TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE BAR - GUARANTEED!

manny of FL 4:07PM June 05, 2011

I had to let a client go recently that initially represented a large part of my start up business income, but after awhile they began to treat me like one of their employees rather than an independent company. They would call during the day and tell me, "Oh yeh, I need this or that in a few hours" as if they were my only client and I should drop everything I'm doing just for them. Toward the end they became very abusive and eventually when they didn't get what they wanted right away, they started threatening lawsuits. The only way they knew how to get what they wanted was to bully others. I eventually learned you can't keep everyone happy and I had to part ways. It was the best decision I made and it opened the door to get new clients that were much easier to work with. You've got to know when to walk away from a client...but do it nicely!

of CA 9:15PM December 04, 2008

I have had to inform clients that they just weren't a good 'fit' with my agency any more. It was not easy. One time, my husband and I brought a client and his wife to a very fancy restaurant, filled them with delicious food and wine, then over dessert I broke the news that my agency could not work with them any more because we had outgrown their budget. I picked up the tab for the dinner and the evening softened the blow.
For an entrepreneur who wants to snatch up every last bit of business posssible, it is tough to recognize when a client relationship no longer serves the business, but it is an important thing to do.

Nancy Marshall of ME 10:17AM November 04, 2008