Want To Break Up With A Client? Here’s How
On the one hand, you know your worth and whatever reason you have for giving your notice is valid. (Remember: You’re the boss of your life and career!) That said, knowing when to break up with a client is easier said than done. Plus, even if you have zero interest in working with them again, you don’t want to burn a bridge.
That’s why I’m so excited to introduce you to Pamela Weinberg. As a career coach, Pamela knows how to navigate the complicated world of being your own boss. So, she’s breaking down her tips for breaking up with a client.
Know The Signs
If you’ve been with a client for a long time, you’re bound to have had some bumps in the roads. Almost every self-starter has experienced communication flops with their point-person, missed a deadline, or needed to reestablish their boundaries. (I mean, you’re human.) But, are those reasons for a client breakup? Not necessarily.
To help, Pamela shares the signs it’s time to let that client go:
1. Repeat Boundary Offender: A client who does not respect your time [and has] no regard to what the boundaries are in your relationship. (Think: Texting you on weekends or calling you 24/7.) Keeping these type of clients happy will come at the expense of your time.
2. The Second Guesser: The client who is coming to you for advice, but is constantly challenging your work. (Does “I showed this to my friend, and they think you should do it this way” sound familiar?)
3. The Flip-Flopper: The person who will constantly change after you have done all of the work. They send you in one direction one week, and a totally different one the following. After multiple back and forth conversations, a pattern will emerge when you realize that this person will never be satisfied with what you present.
4. The Flake: You know those clients who consistently flake out on meetings? Pamela says there’s often a direct correlation between those who “miss” an appointment and clients who don’t pay. (Psst…you can read more about that here.)
Of course, not every client falls into one of those categories. Sometimes, you have a client who is lovely, but the work isn’t aligned with your business goals. (Yes, it’s okay to let them go, too.)
“Working with people who don’t share [a mission or values] with you can be an energy drain rather than energizing,” Pamela says. “I learned early on how to break up with those clients and, even though losing the income was hard, the freedom of not having to work with someone who wasn’t a fit was worth it.”
Focus On Yourself
As the old saying goes, “It’s not you, it’s me.” Though you might want to school your client on their lack of boundaries or flighty attitude, it’s in your best interest to keep that to yourself. (Who knows? They could be a valuable reference when vying for that dream client.) Keep that proverbial bridge intact by focusing on yourself, not your clients’ shortcomings.
“There is no need to cast aspersions on anyone’s character,” Pamela says. “Keep this in the ‘I’ rather than the ‘You’ format.”
That way, you can get your point across without veering into finger-pointing territory.
Keep It Classy
So, the million dollar question, what are you supposed to say? According to Pamela, you don’t need to go into too much detail. “I think one or two sentences is plenty,” she says. “Keep it short and professional.”
Can’t find the right words? I’m no breakup guru, but here’s what I’ve said to previous clients:
Hi [INSERT NAME],
Hope all is well! I wanted to let you know that I unfortunately will no longer be able to contribute to [CLIENT NAME]. While I’ve had a wonderful time contributing over the past [TIME], my bandwidth has changed and I won’t be able to take on this work. I have [OUTSTANDING WORK] left in my queue, and will happily complete that by [DEADLINE].
Thank you so much for the opportunity! It was great to work with you and would love to keep in touch!
Best,
[YOUR NAME]
Refer A Friend
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Your community is your biggest asset. Not only are your fellow self-starters there to swap tips, but they’re also there to pick up the slack.
“If our styles or personalities don’t mesh, I will refer them to someone in my network who I think would be a better fit,” Pamela says.
It’s a win-win: Your friend has some new business and you don’t have to leave your client high and dry.
A huge thank you to Pamela for such an important and insightful conversation! Support Pamela by following her on Instagram and checking out her coaching services.
Hustler of the Week: Lin Chen
Congratulations on Pink Moon! What inspired you to launch your own company?
I’ve been in the eco-beauty and wellness space for almost a decade. My professional foray into the industry was after college, as an intern for 100% Pure. I dabbled a bit in tech and healthcare PR and then eventually found my way back into wellness to work at Ayla Beauty, and then as the Global Marketing & Sales Director at Bottega Organica. After working in so many dimensions of eco-beauty, I decided to venture out on my own and start Pink Moon!
What is your favorite part about being your own boss? Least favorite?
I love being able to make my own decisions and take my company in whatever direction I want. I also love the flexibility of being my own boss! Being your own boss definitely has its downsides. My least favorite is not having a large team to interact with. I thrive on being around people and do sometimes miss the camaraderie of being in an office with colleagues. (Maybe one day, I can have the best of both worlds!)
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned since becoming your own boss?
Having a set schedule and a clear set of goals to work towards is crucial!
Give Lin some love by following Pink Moon on Instagram and shopping her site.
(Psst…like what you see? You can subscribe to “Office Hours with Kelsey Mulvey” here.)
