{"id":4226,"date":"2018-05-08T17:50:18","date_gmt":"2018-05-08T09:50:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/www.oom.com.sg\/?p=4226"},"modified":"2023-03-09T10:39:24","modified_gmt":"2023-03-09T02:39:24","slug":"when-to-let-go-of-your-client","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/www.oom.com.sg\/when-to-let-go-of-your-client\/","title":{"rendered":"When to let go of your client?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cIt\u2019s a yes!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Remember how these words excite you after each presentation? It\u2019s as if the entire universe is applauding you for doing a spectacular task of persuading your client to do business with you. It\u2019s your prize after all the countless revisions and sleepless nights. And since then, you\u2019ve given everything you could just to keep your (professional) relationship in good shape. But suddenly, with no warning, you just noticed that everything is falling apart \u2013 the business, the communication, the process, the concepts. It\u2019s as if nothing is going right.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

So what do you do next? Of course, you\u2019ll try to make things work. As much as you can, you will do a series of analysis to identify the root cause of the problem. But what if nothing works anymore? What if after endless resolutions, you\u2019ll always end up in a disagreement \u2013 up to the point that it\u2019s already affecting other aspects of your business? Would you be willing to ditch all the efforts you made just so you can breathe a little, or will you continue to look for solutions that will be beneficial for both sides?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Or is it time to let go?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Letting go of your client is one of the hardest things to do; but sometimes, it\u2019s important. Continue reading below to know the signs when it\u2019s time to let your client go.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If your differences are too obvious<\/h2>\n

After working a couple of projects together, your relationship with your client is becoming more familiar<\/a>. Surely, you\u2019ll notice a lot of similarities and things in common. These things can help you surpass any challenges and it can convert your concepts to successful campaigns.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But, it\u2019s not always rainbows and butterflies. There will be times when some of your insights won\u2019t match. There will be instances where the client will not accept any of the strategies you present. It\u2019s not that you\u2019re not good; it\u2019s just that\u2026 it\u2019s not what they want. If this clashing of differences happen too often, then it\u2019s time to consider letting them go.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

If there’s a lack of trust and confidence<\/h2>\n

Of course, trust is built as you work together. It may not be naturally planted in each relationship, but trust can be developed based on how well you value your words to each other. You have to make sure that you will deliver as promised. But, if after all the efforts of staying true to every commitment and\u00a0the client is still second-guessing you<\/a>, then it\u2019s time to bid farewell. You cannot work with someone who doesn\u2019t trust that you can do a good job, because they will always expect that you\u2019re going to do something wrong.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If you’re not getting anything in return<\/h2>\n

Sometimes, it all boils down to proper compensation. It\u2019s a no-brainer: no business is running a charity and everyone needs to pay their dues. One or two setbacks or delayed payments may be okay, but if it becomes a routine (and you\u2019re basically working for free) then it\u2019s not fair anymore. You can consider renegotiating your contract, or maybe it\u2019s just time to end it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If your compromise needs compromising<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s expected that you will compromise with your client. Meaning, your decisions should always be in favor of everyone. Also, it\u2019s normal that the client will ask for a couple of favors and will negotiate on different things \u2013 fees, deadlines, concepts, etc. that\u2019s okay; but, if it becomes habitual to the point that it\u2019s compromising your business and your team, then you should just call it all off. If haggling has become their hobby, it\u2019s not good for business anymore.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If they demand too much of your time<\/h2>\n

Once the contract is signed, you\u2019re committing to a long-term relationship with your client. Which means, they are entitled to your utmost dedication. They should get updates on the progress your campaigns or business, and they should also be informed of everything that is happening with their brand \u2013 even when they are not asking for it. Closing a deal requires extra initiative.<\/p>\n

But, there are times when a single client is taking too much of your time. There are times when a client clings on you too much \u2013 asking for updates even on weekends, requesting for revisions with impossible timetables, and practically asking for almost everything. For example, imagine having 15 employees, and 10 of which is working on a single account. It\u2019s a disaster.<\/p>\n

How can your boat float if almost everyone is stuck on one side? You cannot be available 24\/7 and you cannot always have all your hands on deck just to please one client. If their expectations are unmanageable, you can have them jump off your boat. That\u2019s okay.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If your opinion doesn’t matter anymore<\/h2>\n

The client is the expert in their business. We know that, and we acknowledge that. You can\u2019t tell them what is good or bad about their brand, and what should they change about it. Their business is theirs. But, the marketing, web design, social media<\/a>, and business development, it\u2019s all yours. That is why they hired you, and it means that they should listen to you about those things.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Of course, they won\u2019t always like what you present. There may be times when your concepts are completely off or your campaigns are just too far from their core values. But, you shouldn\u2019t just take orders from them, you should give them options to choose from.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If it comes to a point where the client doesn\u2019t listen to you anymore and all they do is to feed you with ideas, then there\u2019s something wrong. If the client does nothing but to make you a proofreader or a designer, and the strategy is all coming from them, then probably they don\u2019t need you anymore.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If they don\u2019t respect your team members<\/h2>\n

Every client should understand that your team is composed of people and not computers. They are not like vending machines that have buttons for their preferred concept and when someone pushed it, the concept will magically appear at the bottom tray. Great work doesn\u2019t come instantly. Your client should understand that your people are assets and that they have a process.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

So, if any of your clients have personal grudges on any of your team members, you have a decision to make. You should explain to your clients that each team member has a vital role<\/a> in each campaign. But if the client wants to act as your boss and they can\u2019t see the worth of your people, then you should choose your team. Your people are more important than any other long-term business.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If they want you to disregard what\u2019s right<\/h2>\n

No amount of money is worth it to do anything illegal. Sadly, though, some clients think that they own you. They may ask you to do some things that challenge your ethics and values. Some clients may ask you to join the dark side<\/a> and do black hat SEO campaigns just so they can be on top. There may also be instances where you will be forced to engage inn plagiarism or breach copyright laws just to get ahead. These may not be common scenarios but it\u2019s possible to happen.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If these things come about, make it a point to stay strong with your virtues. If it\u2019s against your morale, it\u2019s time to say goodbye. If it\u2019s wrong, don\u2019t do it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Just\u2026 end it!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If you answered yes to almost all the situations above, then most likely you can\u2019t salvage your relationship with your client anymore. If the problem is still the same even after multiple times of dealing with it, you are left with only one option: Just end it!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It\u2019s not easy. We know that. Ending a (professional) relationship is a stressful event. It will hurt both sides, whether you like it or not. But putting up with someone you\u2019re not compatible with will only make your business more miserable. Dissatisfaction can drain both your creative energy and your pockets \u2013 both yours and theirs. It may be painful in the beginning, but letting go of a burden is totally worth it. And, someday, a new client will enter<\/a> your doors and you will prosper a better relationship.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cIt\u2019s a yes!\u201d   Remember how these words excite you after each presentation? It\u2019s as if the entire universe is applauding you for doing a spectacular task of persuading your client to do business with you. It\u2019s your prize after all the countless revisions and sleepless nights. And since then, you\u2019ve given everything you could […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11699,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"wds_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2261],"tags":[219,77],"class_list":["post-4226","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-na","tag-account-management","tag-client-retention"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/www.oom.com.sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4226","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/www.oom.com.sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/www.oom.com.sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/www.oom.com.sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/www.oom.com.sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4226"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/www.oom.com.sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4226\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/www.oom.com.sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11699"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/www.oom.com.sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4226"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/www.oom.com.sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4226"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/www.oom.com.sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4226"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}