Does it feel like you need permission to fire a client — especially now?
I get it. I do.
It’s easy to put our needs on hold and think, “I don’t **** working with this client, but it’s not so bad.”
At the same time, you may lose sleep, dread the work, and wish that the client would just…go away.
Here’s a news flash…
Life is too short to work with clients who don’t serve you. The sooner you can (lovingly) release a client, the sooner you can find a better fit to fill their shoes.
Plus, firing a client is OK. Really.
Still not sure? Here are 29 reasons to fire your copywriting client. And yes, all of these issues have either happened to me or to someone I know — even the weird-sounding ones.
- If the client doesn’t pay you.
- If the client slow-pays you.
- If the client refuses to pay a deposit.
- If the client’s payment terms don’t work for you. (For example, they refuse to pay any invoices for 90+ days).
- If the client repeatedly drops last-minute work in your lap and expects a fast turnaround.
- If the client refuses to sign a contract.
- If the client wants new terms in their contract that don’t work for you.
- If the client tells inappropriate jokes — and when you don’t react (or react negatively) you’re accused of “not having a sense of humor.”
- If the client repeatedly asks you to re-edit copy they already approved and paid for…and refuses to pay for the edits.
- If the client calls/texts at all hours and expects you to immediately return their message.
- If the client refuses to pay for extra work out of scope.
- If the client asks you to do anything unethical or *******.
- If the client asks you to “copy the text from a competing site and change it a little bit.”
- If the client spouts hate speech.
- If the client talks down to you.
- If the client continually misses deadlines.
- If the client is constantly dissatisfied, saying things like, “I know the page positions at #3, but that’s not good enough.”
- If the client repeatedly asks you out or flirts with you, even if you’ve said that you’re not interested.
- If the client disagrees with everything you recommend and refuses to implement any changes.
- If the client expects you to be their therapist and dumps their personal problems into your lap.
- If the client suffers from UGE.
- If the client keeps changing the copy after it’s been uploaded to the site — and blames you because the text “isn’t working.”
- If the client yells at you.
- If the client gaslights you.
- If the client’s passive-aggressive behavior becomes unbearable.
- If the client keeps changing their mind about what they want, and you’re constantly switching gears.
- If the work doesn’t feel fun anymore.
- If you’ve outgrown the client and they can’t pay your current rates.
- If the client wants new services you don’t want to (or can’t) provide.
What do you think?
What would you add to this list? (Ooh, I can’t wait for the responses!) Leave a comment or head over to the SEO writing tips Facebook group and share your client horror story!
