Search
Close this search box.
Blog » Retirement » How to Let Go of a Client That Is No Longer Working

How to Let Go of a Client That Is No Longer Working

At some stage in your freelancing business you’re probably going to have to let go of a client that is no longer working. In fact, don’t be surprised if this happens multiple times throughout your career.

Now, I’ve covered the topic of firing clients before, but in that instance, it was for clients that are a pain in the you know what. This time around I want to discuss clients that you’ve simply outgrown or that the relationship is no longer mutually beneficial. This tends to happen as you gain more clarity and vision for your business. It’s also a really good reason as to why there should always be a termination clause in contracts.

How to Know When You’ve Outgrown a Client

I’ve had a few instances in my business where I’ve needed to let go of a client because I’ve simply outgrown them. Or, perhaps, after a few months, I realize a particular project isn’t in line with the direction where I want to take my company. Sometimes it’s simply a matter of they’re not paying me enough.

This is a major part of moving from a freelancer mindset to that of a businessowner, you start getting more strategic and picky about the kinds of clients you take on and continue. In fact, some successful freelancers even encourage people to do the occasional client audit to make sure your client work and income is on par with what you want to be doing.

As Michelle Nickoliasen points out, not all clients are created equal. Even if they are generally good clients, it doesn’t mean you should be working with them because perhaps you’re putting in too much time for not enough money.

Of course, you can’t just send an email stating “Hey, you’re not paying me enough. I’m out.” Fortunately, firing a client also isn’t that complicated.

Step #1: Realize it’s just business.

Everyone understands that things are just business and there’s (hopefully) nothing personal when a client relationship doesn’t work out. It is what it is. Especially if you gave it a shot and realized later that it just wasn’t going to work for you. In other words, try not to give yourself any grief when you have to let go of a client.

Step #2: Send a polite email.

If there’s a termination clause in your contract (as there should be for times like this) then all you really have to do is send an email stating that due to unforseeable circumstances you are terminating the contract. You don’t necessarily have to write a three-page long email explaining why you have to let go of a client.

Final Step: Enjoy your freedom.

Part of the beauty of running your own business is that you can let go of a client when you need to. You don’t have a boss forcing you to take on a project you don’t want. Sometimes it’s just a matter of reminding ourselves that we as freelancers can actually do this now.

About Due’s Editorial Process

We uphold a strict editorial policy that focuses on factual accuracy, relevance, and impartiality. Our content, created by leading finance and industry experts, is reviewed by a team of seasoned editors to ensure compliance with the highest standards in reporting and publishing.

TAGS
Millennial Finance Expert and Writer
Amanda Abella is a Millennial Finance Expert that helps people understand their finances and eliminate all bad debt. She wrote a book, Make Money Your Honey. It is a powerful guide on how to have a better relationship with work and money. You can actually start building an extremely profitable business around the things you’re passionate about.

About Due

Due makes it easier to retire on your terms. We give you a realistic view on exactly where you’re at financially so when you retire you know how much money you’ll get each month. Get started today.

Categories

Top Trending Posts

Due Fact-Checking Standards and Processes

To ensure we’re putting out the highest content standards, we sought out the help of certified financial experts and accredited individuals to verify our advice. We also rely on them for the most up to date information and data to make sure our in-depth research has the facts right, for today… Not yesterday. Our financial expert review board allows our readers to not only trust the information they are reading but to act on it as well. Most of our authors are CFP (Certified Financial Planners) or CRPC (Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor) certified and all have college degrees. Learn more about annuities, retirement advice and take the correct steps towards financial freedom and knowing exactly where you stand today. Learn everything about our top-notch financial expert reviews below… Learn More