Have you ever been ask to start a new job with a client, but something just doesn’t feel right?
Perhaps they asked for a discount before ever really explaining the scope of their project. Or maybe they asked you to travel across town for the first meeting, when all your other clients meet by Skype. Whatever it was, little red flags are popping up already.
Should you take this new client on?
You need the money, after all: you’re new in business and don’t have good cash flow yet. Can you help this client understand the boundaries you must set in order to do your best work? Or will this be a time-suck that has you binge eating ice cream right before bed and hiding your phone under a pillow so you don’t see those dreaded email notifications popping up?
Ding! Ding! That’s ANOTHER email from the client. Doesn’t this person ever sleep?
Trust me, I totally get this catch-22 you’re in. I still sometimes take on clients who aren’t quite my ideal customer, because I’d like a revenue boost that month. Or I just choose to ignore red flags because I like the idea of the project. But how can you make the best decision for yourself – and your business – about whether to turn down a potential new client?
When it might be better to say no and move along
- The client pressures you to lower your price. HUGE red flag, people. This means they aren’t seeing the value of the work you do. And NEWS FLASH? You won’t be able to prove them otherwise. It’s really easy to accept this pressure if you are the type of person who apologizes for your pricing, so be firm, focus on value and benefits, and if they don’t get it, let them go.
- The client disrespects your time. If you don’t want to work evenings and weekends, then that’s your policy. That’s what you need in order to do the best work for your clients. People who insist that you change your boundaries in order to serve them are trouble. And if they try to use the promise of “long term work” as leverage? RUN FOR THE HILLS.
- The project is way outside your expertise and/or not something you enjoy. Of course you should do work that’s outside your comfort zone. Of course you should stretch and challenge yourself. But if a project requires skills you don’t have (that you can’t hire out) or asks you to do something you really, really don’t like doing, you are going to be miserable. Say no, and leave room for projects that are a better fit for what you know and love to do.
Remember: just because a new prospect says they’re ready to hire you, doesn’t mean you have to take them on as a client. If you ignore the red flags and take the job anyway, think about how this work will fit into your overall business plan. Can you find a way to make this project help you reach your longer-term objectives? Focus on that part of the experience, and keep your eye on the prize.
Image credit: simondee