Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Accept Every Client

When your business goal solely depends on financials, you're doing it wrong! As a business owner, have you ever asked yourself whether the client is the right fit and would add up to the services presented? In my business, I worked with different clients throughout my career and noticed that the business world is very familiar to real life. You will meet people from various backgrounds, visions, and objectives, and certainly not all of them fit your standards. Moreover, I've met different personality types, and each has played an integral role in shaping my business knowledge today. It has taught me that before taking on any client, there are main questions to ask ourselves, such as their objective. Will your personalities clash? Do your values align? Which personality type are you, and how would you like your work to be?

Taking the wrong client will not be beneficial. On the contrary, it might damage your reputation, client relationships, and future partnerships. For example, in the PR and marketing industry, which I'm a part of, some clients may not grasp the importance of these efforts because the results are not tangible or immediately measurable and take time to become evident. Only a few understand that PR is primarily about building awareness, establishing a favorable position, and shaping how people perceive your brand. Moreover, there's no direct financial return on investment for such services. As a result, some clients become disheartened when they don't see immediate, measurable results, which can strain the business relationships and lead to a lack of appreciation for the effort.

Keep this in mind: There's a saying that 90% of a business's problems come from just 10% of its clients.

It means that a small number of customers can cause most of your issues. If you're regularly dealing with clients who argue about budgets, micromanage, and don't appreciate the service you provide or your expertise, then it's time to reconsider the clients you choose to work with. Another point to discuss is the budget. Clients who argue about the money and aren't up to the high-end service you're presenting and understand its long-term effect, then it's better to turn them down because if you decide to collaborate, you'll lose money and time with no additional value.

So, what's the best way to turn a client down? Be clear in the first place and try to communicate the challenges and why you might not benefit together, and here, you can suggest other agencies and tell them why your expertise might not match. As end thoughts, you are not always supposed to take all clients, especially if they have an attitude problem or are not appreciative. This decision will make you happier and more efficient in your business, which leads to more positive outcomes with aligned visions.