The Bad Client Playbook: Red Flags, Boundaries, and How To Fire Clients Gracefully (Self-Employed Business Survival Guide)

Your time and skills are valuable, and your bad clients are holding you back. It’s time to cut ties! Do you have a nightmare client who’s costing you more time and money than they’re worth? Or perhaps you have a difficult one who you’re not sure won’t become a problem further down the line. Maybe you have neither, but you’ve had them before, and now you’re determined to spot them before you agree to work with them. Nearly every freelancer has a story to tell about a client who made their life hell—and they’ll all tell you that it took its toll on their health, happiness, and job satisfaction. You didn’t start your freelance career to be in this situation. You started it because you have a valuable skill that deserves to be paid for fairly—and because you want the freedom that comes with working for yourself. Your nightmare client is crushing that dream and holding you back from the business you deserve… so it’s time to take action! Sam Patterson has interviewed over 60 freelancers and contractors in depth, and using their stories, he’s created a framework you can use to screen clients before you work with them, recognize when it’s time to cut ties, and fire them professionally without landing yourself in a legal mess. Firing your nightmare clients is the best decision you’ll ever make, and it will be much easier to replace the money you were getting from them than you think. This essential guide for freelancers will show you how. Inside, you’ll discover: Real-life stories that will reflect your own experiences and show you the changes that can happen when you make the call to fire a nightmare client The red flags that show you a client is no good before you agree to work with them—with real-life examples What your bad clients could be costing your health, bank balance, and confidence (and how to calculate exactly what those costs are) The telltale signs that a client is manipulating you—and what a good client looks like in comparison What you need to know about clients who want to negotiate your prices Why you need to intervene as soon as you start seeing signs of mission creep… and what could happen if you don’t The reason you need to approach clients from certain industries with caution (and the industry-specific red flags you need to be aware of) How to use “The Decision Tree” to decide whether to work with a client A simple five-cost framework for assessing exactly what your bad client is costing you Clear guidance for working out whether you’re in a fix or fire situation (and a five-step formula for trying to fix the situation) What you need to know about fear and the three lies it tells you—and exactly how you can manage it 5 effective scripts for firing a difficult client in a professional manner (and what you can expect to happen afterwards) What the recovery process looks like—plus the three-gate system that will keep bad clients at bay in the future And much more. It’s normal to feel guilty about terminating a contract with a client, and it’s natural to worry about whether you’ll be able to replace the income. But the reality is that a nightmare client is costing you far more than they’re benefiting you, and you deserve better. It’s time to make a change. The right time to drop a nightmare client is always now: Scroll up and click “Add to Cart” to find out how! View Less