Knowing who NOT to take on as a client is a vital part of keeping you sane—and keeping your business healthy. Nightmare clients inevitably end up sucking your time and energy away from other projects, and can cost you more than you make as well. Here are some ways to recognize them before you sign on the dotted line:

Warning Sign…He “forgets” about your appointment or reschedules it several times.

Potential Hazard…No respect for your time or schedule—or the project may just not be that important to him. Either way, it’s going to be like pulling teeth to get needed items and approvals (or even payment) from him. And of course, you’ll be the one scrambling to make up for the lost time. 

Warning Sign…She keeps you much longer than you planned.

Potential Hazard…She may think the sun revolves around her or she may need a lot of handholding. It’s one thing if your intial conversation runs over time because you’re both enjoying the conversation so much. But if she just keeps oblivously chattering away or is so disorganized that she has to keep stopping to hunt for things—proceed with caution.  You may find yoursel f in this position a lot.

Warning Sign…”I’m a good [whatever you do], I just don’t have time to do it.”

Potential Hazard…Hello, backseat driver. Be wary of know-it-all amateurs because they may a) question every single thing you do or b) be offended if you don’t take their suggestions. Proceed with caution.

Warning Sign…She badmouths your predecessors.

Potential Hazard…She’s the perfect PITA (pain in the arse) client. It’s a good idea to ask if the prospect has hired others to similar work before and gauge the response. If she sounds off with a litany of complaints about “all the times” she’s been burned in the past—and it’s always the other person’s fault—run. You’re almost certain to end up on that list.

Warning Sign…He asks you to reduce your price either “just this once” to try you out or because he promises to give you a lot of future business.

Potential Hazard…You’re being suckered. “Just this once” is rarely ever that. As for the promise of future work, even if he’s not trying to lie to you, remember that he may not remain in control of that decision—people leave and responsibilities get shifted all the time. But it’s usually just a gimmick to get a discount. When it’s time for the next project, he’ll just move on to the next person. Save yourself the trouble.

Warning Sign…She’s changing the game as you go along.

Potential Hazard…You’re going to get “screwed.” It’s sad to even have to include this, but if someone wrangles hard about the cost, sends you less of a deposit than you agreed upon, “forgets” to send the contract back or pulls some similar stunt to change the terms you agreed to—cut your losses and move on. It will only get worse when you try to collect final payment.

Warning Sign…You have a “bad feeling” about the prospect

Potential Hazard…Your intuition is right! I’m dealing with my first deadbeat and kicking myself because I had a bad feeling at the beginning and I ignored it. I researched him online and didn’t find anything bad so I took the deposit and went to work.  And I haven’t seen a dime since.

Are there any warning signs I missed? Feel free to post them on the blog.

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