Use These 10 Red Flags to Spot a Difficult Client From a Mile Away

Is more always better? In this market, optimization is the name of the game. Business owners continuously seek opportunities to maximize their reach and win more clients. The more business, the better…right?

What happens when there is a challenging client or an angry customer? Conflict resolution isn’t always the best use of company resources. Regardless of if a client has unclear expectations or lacks trust in you, not every client is the best fit. Being able to identify those situations early in the relationship can save you headaches, bad days and wasted time down the road.

Here are 10 red flags that indicate a client might not be right for you.

1. A client who pushes your boundaries

Setting and establishing boundaries is an essential first step to avoiding bad client situations. If those boundaries are not explicit, or if the client simply doesn’t respect them, they’ll often ask for too much at the wrong time.

If a client pushes your boundaries on pricing or timing right out of the gate, it could indicate that you’ll struggle to manage the relationship going forward. Establish the parameters and scope of your work and communicate them in writing. Give the client ample opportunity to reply and ask any…