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Breaking up with a client could be a tough decision to make. But remember: all the pieces in your enterprise is a chance cost. While you say “yes” to bad clients, you’re saying “no” to higher ones.
While chances are you’ll be tempted to proceed a relationship with a bad client, breaking up with clients who just aren’t a fit is definitely a very smart business move.
In this text, we’ll share exactly how to break up with a client, including exact scripts and what to say, necessary considerations, and legal ramifications too.
1. Clearly discover the explanation you’re breaking up
At this primary step, you don’t have to outline the explanations to your client just yet. Nevertheless it’s critical that you just understand exactly why you wish to break up with this client.
Take the emotion out of it (unless the explanation IS emotional, resembling emotional abuse) and take a look at it from a business perspective.
Chances are you’ll even want to write down your reasoning for breaking up with this client. That can assist you to keep a clear head when you approach them concerning the issue.
2. Review your contract to make sure you CAN break up
In most freelance contracts, there ought to be an option for either party to terminate the agreement at any time.
Nonetheless, it’s necessary that you recognize 100% what your legal obligations are. For instance, in the event that they paid you upfront, you’ll probably need to refund some or all the money.
You’ll want to check for exit clauses and every other information regarding when and the way you may terminate your client relationship.
3. Contact the client you’re breaking up with
When you’ve got clarity on WHY you’re breaking up and also you’ve reviewed your legal documents, it’s time to actually reach out to the client you’re breaking up with to begin the method.
We encourage you to communicate at the identical level you normally communicate or higher.
For instance, when you primarily communicate via phone calls, don’t send an email to break up with your client. Or when you primarily email, don’t send a text. This easy act of professionalism will go a good distance.
4. Be clear and skilled
When explaining that you just need to break up with your client, it’s necessary to be completely clear and really skilled.
Even whether it is personal, don’t indicate personal flaws. As a substitute, explain that you just’re undecided your businesses are a good fit since you communicate otherwise or because they’ve higher expectations than you’re able to meet.
5. Set a termination date & details
While some client relationships have to be terminated immediately, most of them would require some sort of transition period. Listed below are a few questions chances are you’ll want to consider asking:
- Will you hand off accomplished work to one other freelancer?
- Will you help them find another person to work with?
- When will the project officially end?
- Can they contact you with questions in the long run?
- Will you ever consider working together again?
6. Send all deliverables and collect all payments
Before officially terminating the connection with your client, make certain you send all deliverables they’re due and collect on any unpaid invoices.
This can be much easier to do whilst you’re still technically in a client-freelancer relationship than after.
7. Personally review what could have gone higher
Finally, when you’ve broken up with your client, take a moment to reflect on the situation and determine what you may have done otherwise.
This may assist you to avoid the same pitfalls and problems which led you to have to break up with this client in the primary place.
Email Scripts & Phone Scripts for Breaking Up with a Client
There are a number of ways you may say to a client: “I would like to break up.”
You need to consider saying it in your personal way and in your personal words.
But when you’re having trouble knowing where to start, listed below are a few scripts for breaking up with clients:
Email Script 1: The Skilled and Appreciative Breakup
Subject: Transitioning Our Working Relationship
Dear [Client’s Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for the chance to work with you over the past [duration]. Our collaboration has been precious, and I appreciate the trust you’ve placed in me.
After careful consideration, I’ve decided to make some changes to my skilled commitments, and unfortunately, I won’t give you the option to proceed working in your projects moving forward. This decision wasn’t easy, and I would like to assure you that it’s not a reflection of our working relationship or your projects.
To make sure a smooth transition, I’m committed to completing any outstanding work and assisting to find a suitable alternative if needed. I think this transition can be in one of the best interest of each parties.
I really value the time we’ve spent working together and the experience gained during our collaboration. I’m confident that you just’ll find one other expert skilled who can meet your needs effectively.
Thanks once more for the chance, and I wish you continued success in your endeavors. If you’ve got any questions or require assistance during this transition, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
SOURCE: TheFreelanceFiles.com
Email Script 2: The Honest and Constructive Breakup
Subject: Refocusing My Freelance Portfolio
Hi [Client’s Name],
I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to have an open and honest conversation about our working relationship. It’s been a pleasure working with you in your projects, and I appreciate the trust you’ve shown in me.
Nonetheless, I’ve been evaluating my freelance commitments and have decided to make some changes to align higher with my profession goals and areas of experience. As a result, I think it’s in each our interests for me to step back from our current projects.
I would like to emphasize that this decision shouldn’t be a reflection of your projects or our collaboration. It’s about me focusing my skills and energy in a different direction. I think that bringing in a freelancer who can fully dedicate themselves to your needs can be more helpful for you.
I’m committed to assisting in a smooth transition, completing any ongoing work, and providing all mandatory documentation to ensure the subsequent freelancer can seamlessly take over. If you’ve got any preferences or suggestions for locating a alternative, please be at liberty to share them.
Thanks to your understanding and for the chance to work together. I genuinely imagine that is the suitable decision for each parties, and I wish you continued success in your endeavors.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
SOURCE: TheFreelanceFiles.com
Email Script 3: The Direct and Boundary-Setting Breakup
Subject: Ending Our Working Relationship
Hi [Client’s Name],
I hope you’re well. I would like to have an open and candid conversation about our working relationship. After careful consideration, I’ve decided to terminate our collaboration effective [date].
I would like to make it clear that this decision shouldn’t be a reflection of your projects or our previous work together. It’s about my need to establish clear boundaries and concentrate on projects that align more closely with my skilled goals.
I’ll complete any outstanding work until the termination date, and I’m willing to assist within the transition to a recent freelancer when you wish to proceed with the project.
I appreciate the chance to work with you and want you success in all of your future endeavors. Please let me know if you’ve got any questions or if there’s anything specific you’d like to discuss regarding this transition.
Thanks to your understanding.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
SOURCE: TheFreelanceFiles.com
(A note on Phone scripts: Obviously, we will’t control what your client may say while you call them to break up. Below, we’ve included 2 scenarios which may occur in a traditional freelancer-client relationship.)
Phone Script 1: The Skilled and Appreciative Breakup
[Prepare yourself by finding a quiet and private space to make the call.]
Freelancer (F): Hello [Client’s Name], I hope you’re doing well. I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me today.
Client (C): Hello [Your Name], after all, what’s in your mind?
F: I would like to express my gratitude for the chance to work with you in your projects. It’s been a precious experience, and I’ve enjoyed our collaboration.
C: Likewise, it’s been great working with you. What can I assist you to with today?
F: After careful consideration, I’ve made the choice to make some changes in my skilled commitments. Unfortunately, which means I won’t give you the option to proceed working in your projects moving forward.
C: Oh, I see. Are you able to tell me more about this decision?
F: Absolutely. It’s not a reflection of our working relationship or your projects. I’ve decided to refocus my freelance portfolio and align it higher with my long-term profession goals and areas of experience.
C: I understand. What does this mean for our ongoing projects?
F: I’m committed to completing any outstanding work and assisting to find a suitable alternative if needed. I think this transition can be in one of the best interest of each parties.
C: That’s unlucky, but I appreciate your honesty and your commitment to a smooth transition.
F: Thanks to your understanding. I really value the time we’ve spent working together and the experience gained during our collaboration. I’m confident that you just’ll find one other expert skilled who can meet your needs effectively.
C: I appreciate your contributions to our projects, and I wish you one of the best in your future endeavors.
F: Thanks, [Client’s Name]. If you’ve got any questions or need further assistance during this transition, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
C: I’ll. Thanks for letting me know, and I wish you success in your future endeavors as well.
F: Thanks once more, and take care. Goodbye.
C: Goodbye, [Your Name].
SOURCE: TheFreelanceFiles.com
Phone Script 2: The Direct and Boundary-Setting Breakup
[Prepare yourself by finding a quiet and private space to make the call.]
Freelancer (F): Hello [Client’s Name], I hope you’re doing well. I appreciate you taking the time to talk.
Client (C): Hello [Your Name], sure, what’s in your mind?
F: I would like to have an open and candid conversation about our working relationship. After careful consideration, I’ve decided to terminate our collaboration effective [date].
C: I see. Are you able to explain why?
F: This decision shouldn’t be a reflection of your projects or our previous work together. It’s about my need to establish clear boundaries and concentrate on projects that align more closely with my skilled goals.
C: That’s unexpected. What does this mean for our ongoing projects?
F: I’ll complete any outstanding work until the termination date, and I’m willing to assist within the transition to a recent freelancer when you wish to proceed with the project.
C: I appreciate your honesty, but I’m disillusioned with this decision.
F: I understand, and I’m sorry for any inconvenience this may occasionally cause. Please let me know if you’ve got any questions or if there’s anything specific you’d like to discuss regarding this transition.
C: I’ll need a while to give it some thought. Thanks for letting me know.
F: You’re welcome. Take on a regular basis you would like, and be at liberty to reach out while you’re ready to discuss further. Thanks to your understanding.
C: Thanks, [Your Name].
F: You’re welcome. Goodbye, [Client’s Name].
C: Goodbye, [Your Name].
SOURCE: TheFreelanceFiles.com
When to Consider Breaking Up with a Client
There are a few excellent reasons you must break up with a client.
Amongst them are problems like emotional abuse, unprofessional conduct, or failure to comply with a contract. Let’s take a look at these a bit more.
Emotional Abuse
Working for yourself should make you comfortable. You have to be excited to get away from bed each morning and get to work on your enterprise.
If you’ve got a client who’s emotionally abusive, you must break up with them immediately.
Ask in case your client makes you are feeling unable to deliver quality work or in the event that they use hurtful or manipulative language. When a client says something like “when you were really smart enough to run a business, you’d do that over the weekend for me,” that’s emotional abuse.
No amount of cash is value persistent emotional abuse. Do yourself a favor and break up with that client today.
Unprofessional Conduct
Even while you just work for yourself, there’s a certain level of professionalism that’s simply expected in a working relationship.
In case your client treats you want a therapist or gets a little to comfortable calling you on the weekend to chat about their project, that’s unprofessional.
Likewise, in the event that they don’t respond to emails in a timely manner or don’t delay their end of the work (like delivering assets on-time), chances are you’ll need to break up with them.
Failure to Comply with a Contract
One other very clear sign chances are you’ll need to break up with a client is after they fail to live up to their side of your agreement.
Even when that is just a verbal contract (which is legally binding, btw), they need to abide by the contract.
Once they don’t uphold their end of the contract, break up with them.
More reasons for breaking up with a client
In fact, there are a lot of more reasons chances are you’ll select to break up with a client.
These reasons depend a lot on the way you run your enterprise, what sorts of clients you get along with, and lots of more variables. Simply because we didn’t include your reason above, doesn’t mean it’s not a good one.
The #1 sign you must break up with a client might be just your personal intuition. Trust your gut. And while you feel prefer it’s time to break up with a client…just do it.
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