Not all clients are right for your business, but not all clients are right for your business. So, what are the signs to turn a client down and why?
These answers are provided by the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invitation-only organization of the world’s most successful young entrepreneurs. YEC members represent nearly every industry, generating billions of dollars in revenue each year and creating tens of thousands of jobs.Learn more about yec.co.
1. Clients have unrealistic expectations
Sometimes you meet customers with unrealistic expectations. Even if those expectations are incompatible with your product or service. They may request services that you may not be able to provide. Attempting to retain such customers can often undermine customer relationships, spread bad word of mouth, and damage your reputation. Timely identification of such customers can prevent that from happening.
2. Don’t react
The number one way to tell if a client isn’t a good fit for your business is if they don’t respond. Mutual understanding, communication and respect are essential for a working client-business relationship. If your client keeps pushing you aside when you need to clarify something about a project you’re working on for them, it’s time to move on to the next step when the assignment is over. There is a possibility.
– Daman Jeet Singh, funnel kit
3. They complain every step of the way
A telltale sign that a client is not a good fit for your business is if they complain about your work at every step. I’ve met clients who complained because they thought they could get better rates or free work. If you’re really not happy, try to fix the mistake he made once or twice, and if it still doesn’t improve, refund your money. Dealing with toxic customers will not lead to growth or success.
– Chris Kristoff, monster insight
4. Inability to meet their needs
Customers who have difficulty meeting expectations should be turned down. They may not be wrong in the situation, and they are entitled to certain expectations since they pay for the solutions provided. However, you should assess whether you can continue to meet those expectations given your current scale of operations and available resources.
– Stephanie Wells, terrible form
5. They exhibit a “blame-oriented” mentality
Be aware of the “accountability mindset” in prospect development and sales conversations. Ask questions like, “What solutions or service providers have you tried in the past to solve this problem? Why didn’t they work?” Observe if the prospect takes some responsibility for past failures or just blames the previous provider. Such attitudes are clear signs of a lack of accountability and cooperation. Reject such prospects!
– Devesh Dwivedi, higher rating
6. They always ignore your advice
Imagine this: A client claims to guide you into uncharted territory. you Carry a compass of expertise. When you’re faced with a client who consistently ignores professional advice and claims to go against best practices, it’s time to question your collaboration compatibility. Remember: You are an expert for a reason and your recommendations should be appreciated.
– Abhijit Kardate, Astra WordPress Theme
7. They didn’t participate in the project
If a client cannot consistently provide the resources, feedback, and engagement necessary to make the partnership successful, it should be paused. In a one-sided relationship, you feel like a solo artist doing a duet. Look for clients who are willing to participate, collaborate and invest in the success of the projects you work on together.
8. Conflicting Values or Goals
If the client’s values and goals don’t align with your business, say no. This can lead to conflict, dissatisfaction, and even reputational damage. By focusing on clients who share similar values and goals, we maintain brand integrity and benefit from the work we do for them.
– Nick DeAngelo, Saint Investment – Real Estate Fund
9. They’re always adding “one more”
If a client keeps adding “one more thing” to their projects, especially if you’re a freelancer, you can tell they aren’t a good fit for your business. For example, if you’re a writer and a client asks you to edit another piece “as a friend,” it may be time to end the partnership. In this situation, you end up doing a ton of work and extra assignments that aren’t in your arrangement for free.
