When to Turn Down a New Client
I’ve been thinking about clients – the good ones and the not so good ones (which can be subjective).
In Joan Stewart’s free PR tips ebook she mentions the dilemma we face when deciding if we want to take on a new client that we have doubts about. Many times this is obvious – it’s a yes. Then there are clients you have doubts about. There doesn’t seem to be good communication from the start or your prices are too far of a stretch.
Here are some reasons that you might pass on a new client:
- They have unrealistically high expectations (like that their press release will go viral).
- The client doesn’t appreciate your skills or think your work or time is valuable.
- They keep expecting more and more for the same price or even less.
- The client isn’t willing to pay your fees and try to talk you down (there are all levels in the marketplace – what you think is too low is someone else’s target market. There are also people priced much higher).
- The client asks you provide service or products that you do not offer.
- You share different values.
- You cannot accommodate the volume of work requested.
Any of these sound familiar to you? I wonder if the recession and need for money might tempt you to say yes even when you know it should be a no (but try to talk yourself into).
Are you taking on clients you might otherwise pass on because you need the work? Please share your stories in the comments.
5 Responses to “When to Turn Down a New Client”
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August 23rd, 2010 at 10:17 am
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August 24th, 2010 at 6:50 am
Janet,
I recently faced this dilemma of accepting work because I need it. I was asked to do a proposal for a task that is not my specialty. But it’s something that I do well and there were no other clients in the pipeline so I was tempted to take it on. Not only that, I almost lowered my rate so that I could get the job!
But reason prevailed and I gave this potential client my usual quote for that type of work. I knew that he could get it done cheaper somewhere else. And I was so relieved when he turned down my proposal because I really wasn’t relishing the thought of doing the work anyway.
I know I saved myself and my potential client a lot of grief. I’ve realized that I cannot allow market forces to dictate my vision of an ideal client. To do that would defeat the purpose of why I’m in business for myself in the first place, so that I can do the work that I want to do when I want to do it.
Thanks for a thought-provoking and vision-clarifying post!
Eunice
August 24th, 2010 at 7:53 am
Eunice,
You point out something I struggle with too. If you accept a job just for the money and don’t want the work – it’s a lot harder to do a good job.
This is a good test. Ask yourself if you’d be relieved if the client went elsewhere. If you would be, it’s a good indicator that you should turn down the work.
Another topic is – how to best do that.
- Janet
August 25th, 2010 at 4:36 am
I have learned over the years, its better to be choosy with your client base! I have been faced with many clients who have unrealistic expectations because they really don’t have a grasp on what SEO is and how it works, and many clients who want more work done for the same price. Don’t get me wrong, in times of economic downturn, we as an industry take what we can get, but the price to pay at times is not worth the grief!
August 25th, 2010 at 6:43 am
Nick,
I know what you mean. I’ve been very frustrated with that same issue. I think the nature of our work is so mysterious to the people we serve that they seem to devalue it.
Unfortunately, I think it will be a few more years before we see this attitude change.