Here's why you need to drop a client this quarter.

Yeah, that's bold...

Freelance Friday

Okay, so maybe I don’t know your exact situation, but I can tell you that this statement is true for you. I know it can be scary to drop a client in your first year of freelancing.

You might be thinking:

• But I worked so hard to get my first couple of clients, why would I drop them?!

• You must be crazy, where am I going to find other clients like this?

• No one will pay me more than this client.

• If I drop this client I’ll have to get more clients!

• How long will it take me to find another client to fill their place??

Trust me. Dropping clients doesn’t have to be so scary.

I’ve spoken to so many first-year freelancers over the past month about dropping clients for low rates, work out of scope (aka more work than they originally signed on for in their contract), work that isn’t in their niche, and clients that suck. It’s clear to me that you all need a guide for these scenarios!

So today, I’m telling you some reasons you should consider dropping a client, what might happen if you drop them, and even giving you access to the templates my coaching clients use to drop their clients.

Here are some reasons you might want to consider dropping a client this quarter:

Listen to your body. Your gut feeling is usually right. And if you feel like you can’t run your business differently than you currently are – I promise you can.

That’s just a feeling. Take it from someone who’s pivoted their business 4 times in 4 years. It can be done and it’s not as hard or as scary as you might think!

If you…

• Feel like you don’t have enough time to do all of the work that you want to take on.

• Know the client isn’t in your niche.

• Dread doing the work for them, procrastinate, and then by the time you do it your miserable and have wasted a lot of time.

• Know the client isn’t paying you your desired rate. (<- note how I didn’t say the rate you need. I’m talking about the rate you want – your dream clients exist).

• Simply don’t like the client.

• Don’t want to offer that service anymore.

Then it might be time to drop that client.

What might happen if you drop that client this quarter:

You might…

• Have more time to take care of yourself, go on adventures, or plan to pivot/expand your business differently.

• Feel relieved.

• Find an even better client in your niche.

• Enjoy your work again.

• Make more money.

• Make room to offer services you’re more excited about.

How do those results feel to you?

It’s pep talk time.

Listen, you don’t have to take my advice. But I want to remind you… in case no one has ever told you this:

You are a freelancer. You run your own business. You can run that business however you want to. So that you can create the life that you want to live.

Correct me if I’m wrong…

There’s no “right” way. And there’s no need to keep clients that are making you hate your business, your life, or the tasks you have to accomplish. So go drop that client if you need to!! If you know me, you’ve heard me say:

When one door closes, a better one always opens.

Alright, now, scroll down to “Try This” to see my process for writing emails to your clients when you need to drop them, change your rates, or get them back into the scope of your original agreement.

Try This

Writing emails to your clients about topics like changing your rates, ending your contract, or extending deadlines can be overwhelming and terrifying. It doesn’t have to be so scary!

Here’s the exact process I use to write emails to my clients:

Pro tip: write all of this out in a notepad app, google doc, or email that doesn't have anyone in the "send to" field to avoid accidentally sending a messy/bad email to your client...

• Let It Out

  • write down all of your emotions, feelings, and issues with this particular client

  • make it messy and just vent

• Key Points

  • from the let it out section, pull the main issues you need to discuss with the client

  • cut these key points down to the bare minimum information the client might need and remove all emotions

  • the more concise the better

• Results 

  • list out the ideal result that you want from this conversation (a higher rate? fewer hours committed? get back into the scope of the original agreement? stop working with them altogether?)

  • list a result you'd be okay with compromising to 

  • consider what the client needs to know to get there and refine your key points further

• Draft the email

Here's an outline you can follow:

Hi [client],

I've noticed that [write the issues you're having here concisely]. 

[insert the outcome you'd like and what actions need to be taken to get to that result (I like to use bullet points and bold this part)].

I'm happy to discuss this in real-time instead. If you'd like to schedule an appointment with me, I'm available [insert your availability or provide them with your Calendly link]

Sincerely,

[your name]

• Edit twice

• make sure you've removed most of the emotion

• if there's anything you can take responsibility for, do so. (i.e. "I, of course, take all necessary responsibility for allowing this project to expand outside of our original scope.")

• keep it concise. they can always come back to you to talk or negotiate. 

The gist of this is: say what needs to be said and STOP talking so that the client can respond! You don't need to overshare. Most likely, whatever you're imagining in your head is the worst that could ever happen and probably won't happen.