You’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and tired, and then that client shows up in your inbox. Your stomach sinks, and you cringe at the thought of reading it. You know that one client who is draining your energy, time, and peace. Something has to change, you think, but you don’t know how. Let’s face it, we’ve all had difficult clients in the online service business.
It is a difficult choice to let go of a client. And you don’t want to feel guilty or burn bridges. Letting go of a client (firing a client) is not a failure; it means you are demonstrating your leadership skills. It is a sign that you are beginning to think like a CEO.
To Let Go Or Not
When deciding whether to let a client go or not, you may want to consider a few things first.
Consider the following when you need to let go of a client.
Answer “Is the client…”
- Paying on time – not late at all.
- Communicating – answering emails/messages on time so you can work on their tasks.
- Rejecting Work – Do they return the project work to have it done again (& again)?
- Constantly has scope creep (and does not want to pay more)?
- When you hear that client’s name, do you pause and get that feeling in the pit of your stomach?
- When you are not working, do you dread having to go back to work because of this client?
- Lacking respect for your time or boundaries.
- Micromanages the tasks you perform.
- Draining more energy than the revenue they bring?
Answering ‘yes’ to just one of these indicates that it is time to reconsider working with this client.
Why Holding On Is Hurting Your Business
Holding on to this client is not helping; it is hurting your business. There are several ways it can be hurting your business.
Ways That Holding On Can Hurt Your Business
- It has you working IN your business, not ON it.
- It is draining your energy.
- It is also taking time away from other activities that would be more productive.
- It will cause you to get or be stuck where you are instead of growing.
- Preventing you from fulfilling your CEO role and the leadership level you need to achieve.
- Can lead to burnout (and resentment).
Holding on to a client that is no longer aligned with your business will prevent you from scaling your business.
Helping You With Your Mindset Shift
You may still be feeling overwhelmed and a little guilty as you consider letting this client go. So, let’s try to shift your mindset a little.
Mindset Shift
- Instead of focusing on letting go, think about how it will make room for better-aligned clients.
- Don’t think about the client’s needs; instead, focus on the peace of mind you will receive by letting them go.
- Letting go will help you reinforce your boundaries and your time.
- You are not creating a problem for them; you are building your business.
- This will also give you the ability to work on your business.
- By letting go, you will give yourself the gift of freedom.
By shifting your mindset, it will help you have leadership and CEO thinking. Letting this client go opens your mind up to all the possibilities for your business.
How to Let a Client Go (Step-by-Step)
Let’s discuss the practical. How do you actually let a client go? Below are some very important steps to letting a client go.
Step 1: Contract Review
This is probably the most important step. You need to take out your contract and review it. Make certain you have wording that specifies the termination of the contract. This is usually called a termination clause.
Timing
Most contracts offer a way to terminate. They most often have a notification period. Being professional and noting the termination clause’s wording when you give notice will help remind the client as well.
What to consider and ask yourself about timing:
- What is the time period allowed to terminate?
- Did you have a trial period?
- Do you need to notify with a designated number of days remaining (example: 7-day notice or 30-day notification) to give them time to find someone else?
Review your contract and make certain you are notifying them properly.
Step 2: What Is Your Exit
Once you know the timing, you can give notice, and then you have to consider your exit plan with the client.
Factors to Consider In Your Exit
- What project(s) remain to be done before letting the client go?
- Will you offer support to the new person working with the client?
- Do you want to offer a transition period? Where you provide part of the work and the new team provides part until they are fully up and running.
- Do you want to just exit cleanly at the end of the billing period and not offer additional support?
Regardless of how you decide to exit, there are some good strategies to make sure you do not burn bridges. You never know when they may know someone or recommend a client to you. It is a small world.
Step 3: Be Kind & Clear
When you send your notice of termination of their contract, try to communicate clearly and kindly. If you do not want to burn bridges, then being kind is the best action plan.
As you prepare your email, consider how you would want someone to tell you what you are going to say to your client. What is the emotion you want to convey? Being professional with a kind tone will help your client as well.
Example: “I want to notify you that I need to end our working relationship. My business has made some shifts that no longer seem aligned with yours. I want to ensure that the transition is smooth and easy. I am available to help; however, after (date) our contract will end.”
Give a deadline date so the client knows exactly when your services will end. If you know anyone who would be a good fit with this client, ask him/her if they want you to recommend anyone. Some clients will decline the offer (because they are usually upset), but at least it is nice to offer.
When the client looks back at their time with you, you do not want it to be a bad reflection of your business.
Step 4: Keep Your Boundaries
After you’ve emailed the client, hold firm in your decision. You may even get a little push-back from the client, but do not give in.
Sometimes clients try to renegotiate the terms because they don’t want to lose you. Hold firm in your decision to let them go. No matter what they say or offer, you’ve made your decision.
Remember how it feels when you send that email to them. It is usually a big relief knowing you will no longer have them as a client.
Don’t forget what you gain by letting this client go. You want more freedom, peace, and the ability to work on your business. All of this helps you take your business to the next level and scale your business.
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Lastly
You are not alone in your struggle and overwhelm. You do not have to figure it all out alone. Book your free 30-minute coaching session, and I will help you build a strategy so you can let a client go.
