It can sometimes be a challenge to gain clients as a freelancer. So when you eventually do and find out the working relationship isn’t what you are expecting, it can be disappointing. Here are some telling signs to help you understand when to fire a client.
1. Lack of Communication: When To Fire A Client
For any working relationship, communication is key to the client relationship flourishing. If you find it difficult to get a hold of a client consistently, this is a red flag. You and your client must be on the same page to carry out the work effectively. You can’t do this without communicating.
Lack of communication could lead to disagreements further down the line. So if a client is consistently trouble to contact, it may be worth discontinuing working with them.
2. Frequent Mind Changes
Some clients may have many ideas, leading them to change their minds frequently. However, this is unorganised. It can lead to messing up the scheduled work that you may have with other clients.
If you feel like a client you are working with can’t seem to have a clear plan and stick to it, it may be worth addressing this issue with them to see if they can change. If not, it may be worth considering firing this client.
3. Consistent Unfulfilled Promises
I had a client who consistently promised to get back to me about work-related things by a certain time. But, she’d consistently fail to deliver, and it was often followed up with many excuses.
Sometimes, you can have a client you want to work for because of their brand’s mission, but if there are long-term consistent red flags, it won’t be a sustainable working relationship. This is a sign of when to fire a client.
4. Unreasonable Demands: When To Fire A Client
If a client makes unreasonable demands, for example, frequent last-minute assignments that require a large commitment of time but asks you to do it in an unreasonable amount of time, this can indicate that they don’t understand what is and isn’t reasonable.
We all want to work with reasonable people. So, if this can’t be dealt with after discussing it, it may be worth leaving the client relationship.
5. Doesn’t Respect Your Boundaries
Boundaries are important between work and personal life. If you find a client is constantly cutting the line beyond what you are comfortable with after you have outlined your boundaries, this is a red flag.
Respect is fundamental to any relationship, and if they can’t accept your boundaries, it means you are not on the right page, and it’s time to exit swiftly! No client should be causing you stress because of the boundaries they are crossing.
6. Consistently Delayed Payments: When To Fire A Client
Unfortunately, some brands seem to think it’s okay to delay payment without notice when it comes to paying on time with freelancers. However, if this were PAYE, it would not be acceptable. A client who consistently misses your payment deadline without explanation or makes you feel unreasonable for following up is a MAJOR red flag.
It suggests they are okay to accept your work but not give you basic respect by paying you on time. It’s best to avoid working with clients like this.
7. The Client is Flouting With the Law
If at any point you enter a client working relationship and find that they are flouting the law, find the nearest exit – quickly! It is never worth it to deal with a client that could get you in trouble with the law.
In Summary
Recognising these red flag patterns in your working relationship may take a while. If you notice any of these flags for the first time, try discussing them with your client first. Maybe they will improve after that. But if they don’t, this signal tells you it may be best to let them go.
