Being fired is the worst. It never feels good being let go for whatever reason. But sometimes it is necessary. As a freelance writer, there will be times (see our previous blog as to when those times are) when you need to fire a client. In the first part of this two-part blog, we covered when this is a good idea. Now it’s time to look at how to do it.
Here are some tips for how to fire a client:
Stay Professional
This is a given. You can’t give into your sense of outrage or drama. You shouldn’t make a scene, curse or do anything that could ruin your reputation. No matter where you live, even a major metropolis, it is scary how small the business community is. One instance of uncontrolled anger or unprofessional behavior could haunt you for years or longer. It’s not worth it. Find a friend to vent to and keep it out of your business.
Put It in Writing
The best way to fire a client is in writing. Be clear and neutral. Have a friend or colleague to read it before sending to make sure you aren’t being snarky or rude. It’s easy for that to creep in if you aren’t careful.
Stick to the Facts
Tell your soon-to-be-ex clients that you are not available after a specific date or at the conclusion of a project. You do not owe them any more than that, but if you want to explain make your reasons factual. Perhaps you are raising your rates and you know they do not have the budget to accommodate such a shift. Or maybe you need to scale back your business. Caveat: I caution you against saying you are dropping a client for delayed payment. This opens you to negotiations and pressure to give them another chance. Do this only if you are truly open to doing that. Otherwise, leave your letter short on facts and be firm in your position.
Remember Your Future
Prospective clients will want to talk to old ones. You cannot afford to burn bridges in this or any business. How you handle terminating clients will determine how successful you are in the future. Be sure before you take steps to release a client.
Stand Up for Yourself
A lot of clients will try to convince you to make an exception no matter what your reason for release. Be prepared to defend your decision. Have strong reasons and professional points at hand in case you find yourself in a negotiation. It’s easier to be professional when you are prepared for any response. Stay calm no matter what. I cannot state the need for professionalism enough. I’ve seen too many dramatic exits that were quickly followed by regret and furtive phone calls and emails after the fact trying to repair the damage. Don’t put yourself in that position. It’s not enviable and rarely works.
Wait for a Respectable Exit Time
Never quit a project in the middle unless the situation is dire—abusive, offensive, illegal, unethical. If you have a contract, you are obligated to fulfill its terms. If you want out early, talk to your attorney before you act. You may, however, alert a client that you will no longer be available once the contract is complete. This is often enough to ease tensions. But just in case, be prepared to duck.
Call in the Big Guns
Sometimes, in rare situations, clients get angry or won’t accept your position. They keep calling or arguing about your decision not to work with them again. If this crosses the line from disappointment to harassment, call your attorney. Let her handle it for you. Often a letter on legal stationery is all it takes.
Talk First
The best approach to any changes is to have a conversation with your client first. If the problem is project creep, explain why that’s an issue for you. If it’s incessant phone calls, talk about it. You may be able to save a client with a little education on your end. Some clients don’t know how disruptive a phone call can be to a writer. They don’t think about how it breaks our train of thought and derails the work for longer than the length of the phone call. A careful conversation can help rehabilitate a trying client relationship. If you are wary of having this kind of conversation, I highly recommend reading Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Kerry Patterson et al.