How to Avoid Working with the Client From Hell
Heidi Medina
EARN clients using intentional conversation borrowing other people's audience | NO ICK or BS! | 350+ clients, ZERO cold pitching in DM | B2B Strategic Sales & Marketing Coach | Let’s talk ??
We've all had that nightmare client that we WISH we could have avoided. ?? And most of the time you could, IF, you were paying attention to the red flags flashing stop before you signed the contract.
It's rare the signs weren't there from the start so why do so many people end up working with clients from hell? Usually, it's because they...
- Were a beginner and didn't know what to look for.
- Needed the money, so they ignored the red flags.
- Thought it would be different for them.
This article is derived from a LinkedIn social feed post that garnered loads of interest, so I turned it into an evergreen article to help more people avoid working with nightmare clients.
So, how do you learn how to avoid working with a client from hell?
The first way to avoid working with the client from hell is to remember is that you are the owner of your business, a contractor, a partner, NOT an employee. And as Rhiannon Leila points out, 'one of the best parts about running your own business is getting to choose whom to work with. It makes me sad because someone just starting out may not know the warning signs to be watchful of.'
When you start off working with someone who thinks of you and treats you as an employee, it's rare you can change the mindset in the situation. Instead, you'll have a client who wants to monitor your hours, tell you what to do, and how you're going to complete the project.
Pay attention and notice how someone is talking to you and treating you whether it's spoken or written. It's rare if someone is talking down to you or treating you less than from the start that the relationship will be good. Instead, you want to work for people who respect you and the skills and expertise you bring to the company. So, what are you looking for?
Red flags to look for:
? People asking for resumes or CVs.
? Refuses to sign a contract.
? Unwilling to agree to your contract terms.
? Unwillingness to pay a deposit upfront.
? Wanting to track your hours.
? Wanting you only to do things their way.
? Requiring you to be available at all hours.
? Expecting you to respond immediately.
? Their expectations.
? Badmouth previous contractors and employees.
? People refusing to pay for tests or asking for free work.
Finally, one of the easiest ways to avoid working with the client from hell is to trust your gut. If it's not feeling right, no amount of money is going to make it a good project.
Example of a job ad loaded with red flags
As Nick Diakanastasis said, 'Ooh this gives me flashbacks from former clients who wanted all the cost saving of a freelancer but all the availability and compliance of an employee!' I cannot agree more with him when reading this ad. The red flags are flying high all over this one.
Working with a client from hell is not only stressful but in the end, it often costs you more money than you made and leaves you feeling washed up, abused and used. Avoid this setback by paying attention to the red flags. No amount of money is worth working with the client from hell.
What other red flags did I miss here in the article that you look for to help avoid signing a nightmare client?
Let me know in the comments.
P.S. If you're tired of not generating leads from LinkedIn, ask me about my 4-Week LinkedIn Lead Gen Intensive. Don't keep dealing with the frustration alone when you can have me working beside you 1:1 helping you develop a proven strategy that lands leads and puts money in the bank.
#TalktoHeidi #LinkedInTrainer #BusinessCoach
Helping You Delegate Tasks to the Right Virtual Assistant to Make Your Life Easier, Then You Can Focus on Generating More Revenue | General Manager at EntreAdmin | V-Shaped Marketer & Strategist
3 年I wish I had read this article 3 months ago. Every word is ?? correct!
Tri-lingual Pinterest Manager and Virtual Assistant for Equine Businesses || English - Spanish - French ||
5 年My last nightmare client was a long term client. We worked together for over 15 years. He started a new project, a great project, but partnered up with a rude and tremendously arrogant young man. After a while of just going with the flow, I had enough of him trying to constantly bypass me and work with my suppliers and associates directly. Let's say things didn't end well.
Copywriter I Proofreader & Editor l Marketing Specialist with over 6 years of experience in campaign management, creating marketing collateral, updating websites, social media and events
5 年I had a difficult client who from the get go was making me all these promises that he would refer me to everyone if I did a really good job on the first piece I did. I was thinking in my mind, I will do a really good job for him regardless! I take pride in everything I do! Anyhow, I ended up doing a few jobs for him. I would tell him how soon I could get it done and delivered. The last time, he called me demanding where his work was! I had emailed him that morning. He had said it wasn't an urgent piece yet he was calling me demanding it! He also grumbled about the price. He knows how much I charge!!
?? Stylish ?? Strategic ?? Successful | Copywriting, Consultancy, Campaigns and Cool Stuff | Brand Collaborations | Digital Marketing for successful solopreneurs and small businesses with big plans... ??
5 年That is one scary looking client ???
Purpose fueled strategy & package design for awesome CPGs ??? Consultant | Strategist | Designer | Foodie ?? Founder @Happy Little Branding Co.
5 年I had a consultation call with a woman who talked almost non stop for an hour. I knew if I wasn't assertive enough to cut her off we were not a good match to work together so I sent her an email with 3 well-researched referrals and wished her luck.