One of the toughest parts of running an online business? Dreaded client breakups. Our Hatch Creatives community is by no means condoning client breakups, but client-contractor breakups often leave room for bigger and better opportunities for both parties. I’ve had my fair share of client breakups as a service provider, some that left me crying in a coffee shop and others that left me happy dancing in my office chair. Even to this day, I often struggle with knowing when to end a professional relationship or even how to know if it’s the right time to part ways. Since starting my business, I’ve learned to recognize four signs that it’s time for a client breakup.

1. Communication is a struggle.

Have you ever had a client relationship where you were constantly communicating but never got  anything accomplished? Or perhaps had a client that could never be reached in a timely manner ? This may be a sign that your relationship is in rocky waters. This starts with the on-boarding by clearly communicating where to reach each other for urgent matters, what their preferred method of communication is, and how often you can expect to be in contact for projects. 

Ask yourself these two questions to see if you’re in-sync with your clients: 

Are you doing enough to accommodate both your communication styles?

You’re the boss of your company, but this doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be an equal compromise on both ends when it comes to communication. Have you done enough to educate them on how to communicate with you? Have you outlined the communications expectations and what could happen if they’re neglected? For instance,  if you have a client that often travels out of the country be sure to communicate in a way that facilitates their schedule while not inconveniencing your own. 

Is there a way to streamline your communication process? 

Making it easy for your clients to communicate with you is key. For example, if you’re a service provider perhaps consider enlisting regular check-ins with your clients. This allows them to see the progress being made while getting them into the habit of regularly checking in with you. Whether it’s weekly, monthly or annually, clearly outline this process for your clients. Having clear expectations like these can also give boundaries to over-communicative clients.

If you’re still drawing a blank with your clients, poor communication may lead to a breakup. 

2. Goals aren’t aligned.

Ah, yes, the client you can’t seem to please. Even after delivering a gorgeous logo or curating a stunning Instagram feed, they aren’t satisfied with your services. I’m here to tell you, it’s not you, your goals just aren’t aligned. The best way to avoid this trigger is by clearly outlining your services and how this can solve the problem they’re having. If they’re looking for a femme chic website and you focus on a modern boho style, avoid the client breakup before it happens. If you’re focused on organic growth and community engagement on Instagram but they’re searching for results with paid ads, it’s time to say good-bye to this client.

When starting the discovery phase, be sure to gain sufficient experience regarding their goals and expectations for this project and beyond. Ask them questions about their business and marketing goals. If they’re unsure, offer options to see which they lean toward. If you’re attempting to fit a round peg into a square hole, it won’t begin to fit over time . It’s best to have recommendations on hand if your exact niche isn’t the perfect fit for every client. 

3. Lack of respect.

This is the biggest red flag that leads to most client breakups,  and rightly so. There’s never an excuse for a lack of respect, but this is especially true in a client-contractor relationship. If someone fails to respect your time during a discovery call or the onboarding process, it’s almost guaranteed that the disrespect  will get worse once the partnership begins. Clearly outline your time and boundaries immediately when starting a client relationship including your office hours, how to communicate with you, and your expectations of them.

Red flags that respect could be an issue in a client relationship:

  • Being late to meetings
  • Canceling meetings often
  • Responding late to almost everything
  • Questioning your expertise 
  • Requesting work outside of your agreement

If you ticked off one or more of those red flags, it’s time to break up. 

4. Trust your gut.

Your gut is never wrong, especially when it comes to client relations. That icky tinge in your stomach, she’s your intuition. And your intuition is often right about the clients that aren’t the best fit for your brand. When it came to my first client breakup, I felt horrible. But I also knew the day I solidified the contract that it wasn’t the best fit, purely because of my instinct. The sooner you can end relationships that don’t feel good, the sooner you can make room for dream clients. 

You created your own business and have the freedom to choose (yes, choose) who you work with. Not just clients who pay the bills or who make  your portfolio look good, but clients that uplift you and make a partnership rewarding. When you trust that gut instinct that it’s time for a breakup, you’re doing both parties a favor by allowing each other to find something better. You’ll know when you’ve found the perfect client; hold them tight and cherish their support of  your business. 

If you went through these signs thinking of one client in particular, it may be time to respectfully cut ties. Always know that saying “no” to a not-so-perfect client often leaves room for your dream client. Be sure to apply these tips to your discovery and onboarding process to avoid future breakups, and to cultivate healthy business relationships that will last for years.